At 11:38 p.m. Wednesday my phone rings, my brother is on the line yelling, "We won! Can you believe it?" Shortly thereafter my neighborhood was alive with fire works, illuminating the East Deering streets. As I watch the players on the screen and see the scores of people gathering in Boston, tears begin to stream from my eyes. The Boston Globe's Jackie MacMullen also writes about "tears of joy"

The Boston Red Sox have won the 2004 World Series! Dailysouthtown.com says the Sox had karma on their side.

The world looks different today. The sun is shining, the weather is sweet. It's brighter. I've got a smile wider than the Nile is long. I proudly display my baseball shirt and cap with the team's logo as I walk through the streets of Portland.

Everywhere I go people are talking about one thing. For the first time in over two weeks we finally get to laugh, without apprehension.

A nation no longer mourns. Perhaps we're a bit confused this morning. Our reaction time slowed by lack of sleep and the shock of victory. The edges of our character have been softened, if only for a brief period of time.

No longer will we hear Yankee fans chanting "1918." The "Who's You're Daddy?" question has been asked and answered. The curse (not that I believed in one) has been lifted. Bill Buckner can now rest easy as can Johnny Pesky (not that I fault either of these men for the failures of the past). The PJStar.com in Peoria says the Sox revelers are not all johnny-come-latelies

The Red Sox are up 3-0 in the 2004 World Series. Tonight may add a page to the history books. If the Red Sox were to win tonight they would be the first team in history to win eight straight postseason games. They may also be the first team to win a World Series under a blood-red moon also. A full lunar eclipse is expected during the game. Could this be a sign? We can only hope that it's a good one. ESPN's Jim Caple says the Sox are making it look easy.

The tides have most definitely changed, but nothing comes easy. The team has been playing with an added swagger, however. Some may even call it confidence. I'm not sure I know what that word means, for even at 3-0, I'm not completely comfortable. I mean I just saw a team come back from a three-game deficit to win the ALCS.

One thing that helps ease the ever-present tension: the Cardinals have not faced a team like the Sox. St. Louis may be a great National League club, but no team in the NL is as good as Boston. The starting pitching has been terrific and the bullpen superb. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals have stage fright.

When I think of this series, I can only hear ESPN's Chris Berman yelling, "Rumbling, stumbling, bumbling, they could go all the way!" And to think he was referring to a football game.

Boston has improved its defense at a few positions since the All Star break. Yet in the first two games of the World Series the team has committed eight errors. Jim Caple of ESPN.com writes about the comedy of errors.

I don't find it funny. It's strange that the Sox would make such mistakes now. What's stranger? Each time the Sox have committed four errors in a game, they somehow manage a "W."

You almost expect certain players to make mistakes. The Sox can ill afford to make more, especially in St. Louis.

The combination of groundball-pitcher Derek Lowe and David Ortiz playing first base could be downright scary. Without a DH in National League parks, the Sox have little choice. With his bat, Ortiz more than makes up for his less-than-stellar defense, however.

Are the eight errors a premonition or righting the wrongs of the past - proving once and for all, if not a dynasty this is a team of destiny. Hmm, if so, bring on the errors.

I'm worried. Not about winning or losing the World Series, I'm worried about the mass hysteria created whether the Sox win or lose.

Today, at Boston.com, we learn that a young woman was killed by a pepper-spray bullet shot by police during a "riot" celebrating the Red Sox victory over the Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS. The game was in New York yet there was a death in Boston.

Thousands of Sox fans rushed to the "Home of the Boston Red Sox" to show support for their team. It was an awesome sight. Fenway Park was surrounded by an estimated 3,000 fans.

Mt. Washington Observatory This is the scene atop Mt. Washington. So to all the rioters take a hike, seems like a better way to show support for the Boston Red Sox than destroying property.

An eyewitness details the fatal scene for the Boston Herald. Apparently some in the crowd took the celebration too far and police were called in. After some altercations with a few "hooligans," police in riot gear used pepper-spray bullets to disperse the crowd. The 21-year-old Emerson College student was killed.

As a result of the death, the mayor of Boston is considering a number of options in order to quell future situations, according to the Boston Globe. One idea - no alcohol sales in Boston pubs. As if this wouldn't, in itself, cause a riot.

However, I can understand Boston's concerns. Rolling over cars, throwing trash cans and pulling down street signs is no way to celebrate. I understand starting fires and destroying property is not a way to root for the Sox.

Here in Maine, we do not need to worry too much about that type of celebration. Sure there will be hundreds of people watching the game in bars from Fort Kent to Kittery. Some patrons may spill into the streets looking for others with which to cheer. You'll hear car horns and hollering, but there will be little mayhem. There will be no deaths. There won't be police at the ready with pepper-spray bullets.

What do the fans gain from destroying their own city? I've never understood this mentality. If anything head to the opposing city and destroy their stuff. Better yet find a different way to show support.

At one minute after midnight, my eyes welled up with tears of joy. I am exhausted but happy. The Boston Red Sox are the 2004 American League Champions! I thank my daughter, Ruby, my lucky hat and of course Papi and Co.

I could write a number of cliches trying to describe the feelings that New Englanders must have, but none would suffice. They say everything is magnified in the playoffs and so too are the emotions felt by every Red Sox fan. Even the Boston Globe's Bob Ryan is at a loss for words.

In my 36 years of existence, I have never seen a Boston team like this one. Not in '75, '78, '86. Not in '99 nor even 2003. I have never witnessed the type of kinship on Fenway's diamond before. Pure heart.

I have looked forward to the secret and not-so-secret handshakes, the hugs, the smiles and the finger pointing. Truly this has been an enjoyable year capped off by Wednesday night's victory.

Nor have I experienced a series like this.

Last night a little after 11:30 p.m, I inadvertently hit the program guide on my remote control. Up on the screen popped the current television programming. I was about to go back to the game when I noticed the Fox channel was highlighted. The word "Believe!" appeared in the rectangular box. Was I seeing things? No, apparently there was not enough room in the box for "Ripley's Believe It or Not?" which Fox usually broadcasts from 11 p.m. to midnight. Was this a sign? Draw your own conclusions, but the Red Sox did win.

In fact, in case you didn't hear Joe Buck say it 100 times, the Red Sox are the only team in history to come back from an 0-3 deficit to force a Game 7. The New York Times' Harvey Araton says finishing off the Red Sox has become the Yankees Achilles' heel.

Could you ask for more drama?

There is nothing as splendid as being in the ol' ballyard. As soon as I arrive, I am elevated with the spirit of a 10-year-old. I stand in awe at the spectacle. The sight of bright green grass, the smell of roasted legumes, hearing the crowd's anticipation, feeling the crisp autumn air.

I always try to arrive early in order to see these athletic heroes flex their muscle in batting practice. Hoping someday, I'll see the hometown club do it. But in batting practice the color of the stockings doesn't matter. Baseballs fly of wooden runways, soaring over walls looking to escape only to be captured again by an awaiting fan.

The park, perfect with its imperfections. The dimensions of Fenway, vast and crooked. This was my experience Monday, Game 5 of the ALCS.
Little did I know just how spectacular the event would be.

I watched as Curt Schilling made warmup tosses in front of a trainer. In my medical opinion he didn't look strong. When he finished I watched him walk away , flopping his right foot awkwardly forward.

Before the first pitch, Fenway Park was electric, popping. I went to my seat early, anxious, excited. I had a perfect vantage point from straight-away center.

I have been to dozens of games, but the air was different. There was a threat of rain and it was starting to get chilly but I cared not. I was in Fenway witnessing a Red Sox-Yankees game. I am truly fortunate.

It seems like a a lifetime ago now, but Pedro pitched really well. He had tremendous control and velocity. Mike Mussina was equally impressive. The pitching duel proceeded until each had reached 100 or more pitches and the wheels began to fall off.

In the sixth it was time for the bullpen to take over and for eight more innigs they would grind.

I had two baseball caps at the ready. The first was to show my colors. The 1976 model Red Sox cap. I knew it was to be cold and my jackets are all dark colors - blue in fact. I needed something red to show support. Why not?
But in the eighth the Yankees went ahead 4-2. I took off my dusty red cap and replaced it with the "lucky" "Life is good" hat. This is how sick and superstitious I have become. Some people turn their hats inside-out and call them rally caps; I actually have one. My friend looked at me as if I were crazy. Crazy Ed indeed.

Bottom of the eighth, Big Papi, home run. Yankees, 4; Red Sox, 3. Here we go. Millar draws a walk, replaced at first with Dave Roberts. I lived and died with each pitch, hoping beyond hope that maybe Trot Nixon would duplicate last year's ALDS feat. He's up and hits a single towards me. Roberts moves to third and then scores on Varitek's sacrifice fly.
"Hi, my name is Dave Roberts, all I do is score tying runs in ALCS games."
"Nice to meet you. Mr. Roberts."
Wow!

From that point on, we in the stands winced, exalted, grimaced, cheered. We laughed, booed, grunted, sneered. We hugged, high-fived, clapped and chanted. We cast spells, we practiced voodoo and prayed. We even sang.

We also managed. In fact, we thought we did a better job than Terry Francona. We would have bunted here, sacrificed there. We speculated pitching options and put down the steal sign. We had all the answers, much to no avail.

Boston just couldn't catch a break. The Sox were giving the Yankees four outs, while only getting two. It was tough. From where I sat, the strike zone looked small and forever changing. My peers agreed.

"That was a strike?," we asked each other.
"Give me a break, he was safe." "Oh come on, ump, that was a check-swing."

On every close call fans pulled out cellphones asking loved ones if what they were seeing before them was real. Sometimes it was, sometimes it wasn't.

My 35,000 new friends watched Bronson Arroyo retire the side in order in the 10th. What made the feat even more exciting - he faced Jeter, A-Rod and Sheffield.

Top of the 13th. Sheffield reaches first on the passed ball. Matsui then bats into a fielder's choice. Flyball, two outs. Then another passed ball Matsui on second. With first open Franconaa opts to walk Posada intentionally hoping for a play at any base. it would of worked too had it not been for another two-strike passed ball moving the runners to second and third.

I scream to anyone that can hear me, "It can't end like this!"

It didn't. You know the rest. David Ortiz saves the day again driving in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 14th.

Fenway faithful erupt in a celebration never before seen. Strangers hugging and jumping; cheering for their hero Ortiz. And then more singing. After 5 hours and 49 minutes the game is finally over, but the party in Boston has just begun.

Riot police line Lansdown at least 40 strong. Mounted police patrol the crowd as it spills into the street, full of elation. We are now one unit.

Happy and exausted, I sit in the car not sure if what I witnessed was a dream. It was amusement park of emotions - a rollercoaster ride or better yet a water flume with a magical splash at the end.

My heart races as I make the ride home trying to remember it all, but emotion and adrenaline wash some memories away.

Tuesday's a new day with the same hope. Not sure if I can take much more of this. Today's game promises its own sense of drama when the injured Curt Schilling takes the mound. Both bullpens are running on fumes as am I.

Playoff baseball sure is, err, fun.

Reader comments: Monday's game may have been the best I have ever seen. Have you witnessed one better? Share your thoughts.

I'm really too depressed, no angry to write today. Only out of a sense of obligation, do I jot down a few thoughts.

Let me first say that I did everything right. I wore my lucky hat. I stayed at home watching the game on my television instead of plasma. I ate pizza. Even though I made these efforts something was amiss.

Pedro pitched well. This whole idea that he didn't pitch good enough is ridiculous. The New York Times blames Terry Francona for keeping Pedro in past 100 pitches.

It's bottom of the first and my heart sinks. Back-to-back doubles and a single crush my optimism. I must give some credit to both Sheffield and Matsui, for the average hitter never would make contact on those pitches.
Schilling looks odd, not himself.

Mussina's now perfect through three innings.

Schilling looks weak, no power from his right leg. It's now 6-0; my wife can't take it anymore.

"Here we go, I'm not watching the rest of this," she says and disappears.

"Okay, but you are going to miss one of the biggest come backs in history," I call out.

I can't stand pessimism, unless of course I'm the one spewing it.

Could we have asked for a better scenario? Red Sox vs. Yankees. I should think not. The two teams with the highest payrolls in the league should have the opportunity to prove who's best? The rivalry is so big that newspapers Web sites across the country our writing about it.

The Seattle Times picked up a story from the L.A. Times, "Live through this, Red Sox vs. Yankees." The Minnesota Star Tribune writes "Red Sox, Yankees battle is on." The Kansas City Star reports They're back, Yanks-Red Sox. Even the London Free Press published Red Sox, Yankees hate affair stronger than ever.

Then there's New York. The Post says the rivalry goes beyond the field, even the GMs dislike each other. The New York Times says there's a frenzy for Red Sox Yankees rematch. And Newyorkmetro.com's Jerkball writes about the rivalry.

Why all the fuss? A history of David vs. Goliath. The New York Post's Mike Vaccaro writes about the Extra-Pesky Sox. He says this year has the same feeling as it did in 1949.

Yes, Boston is a good team facing another good team. But with the questions surrounding the Yankees pitching, Sox have the edge. ESPN.com reports El Duque is still not ready. New York Daily News reports on the Yanks uphill battle.

This year on paper and on the field, the Red Sox are the better team.
The Red Sox organization finally understands that pitching wins championships. You can say what you will about the value an A-Rod can add to a team. But if Curt Schilling can strikeout an A-Rod three times in a game, who's more valuable?

Sean McAdam includes pitching as one of his five reasons the Sox are better this year.

My reasons: Schilling, Pedro, Arroyo, a true closer and battery mate.

I'm home, sick again. But even with this coughing, sneezing, stuffy-head, can't get any sleep and headache, I can think of no better time for such an illness. There has been baseball on the television at least twice every day. It beats the heck out of some ol' daily soap opera.

While Boston.com's Dan Shaughnessy says "get ready for you know who," referring of course to the Evil Empire, I can't help but think about the future. I'm not thinking about the ALCS, although I probably should. I've been thinking more about potential National League opponents. Why? Because aside from the Dodgers, all the teams have some history that would make a series with the Red Sox interesting. And they say history has a way of repeating itself.

I wish everyday was yesterday. Taking the day off to celebrate my anniversary, I was able to spend some quality time with my family. Quality time sometimes means watching a day of baseball. I was able to get some fresh air during the first game featuring the Cardinals and Dodgers. I knew the Cards would win handily. They are a scary team and fun team to watch, but for me, the highlight was the 4 p.m. game - Red Sox vs. Angels, of course.

I thought it was going to be tougher than it was. The Angels' starting lineup looked anemic without Tim Salmon, Jose Guillen, and to a lesser extent Adam Kennedy. Even the powerful Vladimir Guerrero looked human.
Troy Glaus was the only Angels' standout going 3-3 with a home run and two doubles. Anaheim will surely miss this free agent next year.

We finally have an opponent - the Anaheim Angels. The Boston Globe writes about the waiting for the Halos.

I would have much rather seen the A's. Over the past few weeks the Halos have been on a tear finally catching up to and then surpassing the Oakland A's. Oakland seemed to get tired down the stretch losing six of their last 10. While the Angels won seven over the same duration.

Let's take a look at the AL West leaders. The Angels are an offensive powerhouse led by Vladimir Guerrero. Vlady joined Anaheim in the offseason and has put up some very productive numbers this season (39 home runs, 128 runs, 126 RBI, 206 hits, .337 Avg., .598 Slg., and .391 OBP). Impressive. In fact, he leads the Angels in every offensive category except for stolen bases of which he has 15. He's downright scary at the plate. No matter where the ball crosses, he can make contact. Truly an amazing player. He would be the AL MVP if not for three Red Sox players (Manny, Ortiz and Schilling).

Anaheim can hit the ball. They are third in the American League in that category. And they are fast leading the AL in stolen bases.

The Angels have hovered around the western lead all season even with injuries to 3B Troy Glaus, OF Garret Anderson and DH Tim Salmon. The three missed a combined 256 games. That's a lot of lost power, but in the end the Halos prevailed. Why? Because they play as a team. When the injuries occurred, manager Mike Scioscia didn't panic. Instead he simply plugged in his utility players. They showed up, especially Chone Figgins. Figgins played four different positions (2b, SS, 3b, OF) and even was a designated hitter. He had 22 doubles, 17 triples and stole 34 bases, while scoring 83 runs. And he's the backup.

Another impact player has been starting pitcher Bartolo Colon. After struggling much of the first half, he has rebounded to win five of his last seven starts. The most important coming in the last week against Texas and Oakland. The Angels couldn't of asked for better timing. He is expected to start on Saturday vs. Bronson Arroyo in Fenway in an important Game 3 matchup.

MLB.com says the Angels have come full circle to the winner's circle.

Although Anaheim appears poised, I like the Red Sox chances. ProJo.com reports the "Red Sox confident they can wing it". The Hartford Courant writes that Johnny Damon isn't lacking confidence. The Sox should be confident.

With a one-two punch on the mound (Schilling and Martinez) and a one-two punch at the plate (Ortiz and Manny), Boston is solid. In fact, according to the Boston Herald, Manny and Ortiz are in the record books for their offensive production. Add the improved defense, with the aquisitions of Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkeiwicz, and the future is looking bright.

The Sox will start Curt Schilling on Tuesday. Anaheim will host the 4 p.m. game and start Jarrod Washburn. This will be fun.

On and off the field, this could be the best Red Sox team of all time.

Reader comments: There have been many good/great Boston teams. Which Red Sox team do you consider to be the best ever? 1946? 1949? 1967? 1975? 1978? 1986? 1999? 2003? Some other?

With their third straight victory over the Minnesota Twins, the Yankees won their seventh consecutive AL East title. The New York Post writes, "The Yankees raise flag again." I should have guessed. The Twins who already secured their division title a while back had no reason to play. This was just a exhibition game for them. Practice. No mattter the situation each of the Twins' starters went a maximum of five, perhaps six, innings, including the team's ace Johann Santana. Santana hadn't gone less than 6 1/3 innings since May 23. And averaged eight innings since May 28. But when it came to the last week of the season against the Yankees, the Twins' pulled Santana in the fifth with a 3-1 lead. And with that the season was almost over. I'm disappointed, but look forward to the playoffs.

It makes sense for the Twins. A 162-game schedule is difficult. You need a healthy roster, especially the pitchers. I just wish we could have gotten a little help.

Then again, the Red Sox didn't look as though they were trying hard either. Why was Gabe Kapler starting in centerfield and leading off on Wednesday night? The lead off spot is for a tablesetter, preferably with speed. After Pokey Reese, Kapler has the lowest on-base-percentage on the team. So if not Damon, why not Dave Roberts? Roberts has better range in the outfield, a higher OBP, and has 37 stolen bases this season. Strange.

Then they took Manny out of the game and replaced him with Adam Hyzdu. Granted Hyzdu hit a home run, but give me a break. We still had an outside shot at the title, but not without the league's MVP.

Pedro didn't start the game with his best stuff either. I didn't see a good fast ball until the fourth inning. He seemed timid. As a result, he lost his fourth straight game. But I'm not worried, this is Pedro afterall.

Many Red Sox fans are getting down on the ace. They call him a prima donna. To them I say check the stats.