So all that worry for naught. Friendly Fenway welcomed Pedro back with not only a rousing standing ovation, but with a film of memories. Pedro watched and damn if I didn't see a tear.

Pedro said it reminded him of the '99 All Star Game. Which if you remember was indeed a special moment, for not only Pedro, who won the game's MVP, but for the fans of Boston. Hell, Ted Williams was there. If I recall correctly Williams even paid Pedro a compliment. It went something like this:

Pedro to Williams: "I'm glad I never had to face you."
Williams to Pedro: "Hell, I'm glad too."

OK, so it's not verbatim, but you get the drift. There was a mutual respect. And so it was Tuesday: Pedro giving props to Boston, its fans and its team and the fans honoring Pedro as best they could.

Pedro is someone special. In a pregame interview he joked with the media about begin back. He said all the right things. He said he "still cares about them," the fans. And that he was still a Red Sox fan, wishing them well, except when playing the Mets.

We still care about Pedro too.

After the game, he called the warm greeting "great."

If you haven't I urge you to see the videos on NESN.

We'll see today if those cheers continue. He'll take the mound in the bottom of the first. If he beats the Sox, I'll give him a friendly "booooo."

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