Film deserves red-carpet treatment

But according to members of the 2004 world champion Red Sox, there was a glaring omission in the category of Best Short Film (Live Action). The Sox, the same guys who starred in "Still We Believe" and are scheduled to appear in the Farrelly Brothers' "Fever Pitch," are lobbying for "The New Red Sox Movie," shot and directed by amateur cinematographer and professional relief pitcher Mike Timlin.

"No doubt about it," said Kevin Millar. "I've watched it at least 50 times. It should have been nominated for an Oscar."

Jason Varitek said it was the only Sox video he watched during the offseason. Millar said it gave him goose bumps. Curt Schilling said, "Looking at it, it made you realize how much every guy that was on that team was a part of it."

The Timlin Project was inspired by John Burkett's video of the 2003 postseason. Burkett recorded the Sox' historic series against the A's and Yankees, and sent copies to his teammates after the crushing disappointment in New York.

Timlin picked up the torch last October. In New York and St. Louis, and at Fenway, the tall reliever carried his Sony handycam in the clubhouse, in the dugout, on the field during batting practice, on airplanes, and in hotels. He shot three hours of footage, sent it to a professional videomaker after the World Series, then mailed the finished product to all Sox players, coaches, and clubhouse personnel.

"I did it because I wanted to have the memories and I wanted guys to have the same," said Timlin. "It's memories of being off the field. You see old movies with Mantle and Robinson and they don't speak and they just tip their hat. It's all on the field. But you don't see off the field.

"I was wishing I started in Anaheim, but I didn't. I dropped the ball. My wife said, `You need to go get a camera.' I choked. Like normal, I forgot to do it. But then I started in New York and I got the rest. We sent it out with our Christmas card."

Timlin's film is not for the consumption of nosy reporters. Even Sox chairman Tom Werner was rebuffed by the director/reliever. Werner, a veteran of many successful television programs, said, "I tried to get Mike to let us put it on NESN, but he turned me down."

"It's personal," reasoned Timlin.