Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Red Sox methodically thrashed the reeling Detroit Tigers, 5-0, in the 97th Fenway opener. Kevin Youkilis enjoyed a three-hit day, Manny Ramírez treated the 36,567 to a tour de bases (triple, scoring on a bad relay throw), and Matsuzaka improved to 2-0 with 6 2/3 innings of seven-strikeout chucking.
"I thought he did a good job addressing the task at hand, 'cause there was a lot of stuff going on," said Sox manager Terry Francona.
Yes, a lot of stuff going on. Red Sox games have morphed into kaleidoscopic carnivals. No moment is wasted or unsponsored. NASCAR without the crashes. Tangerine trees and marmalade skies. Lugo in the sky with Neil Diamonds.
Yesterday's hourlong pregame festivities had a familiar feel. It was as if Dr. Charles Steinberg were still orchestrating via satellite from his new home at Dodger Stadium. Just after 1 p.m., flags from 62 nations, representing homelands of citizens of Red Sox Nation, lined the outfield while championship banners were unfurled on the Green Monster. This was done to the accompaniment of the Boston Pops playing the theme from "Jurassic Park" - which just happens to represent the era (1903-18) in which the first five Sox flags were won.
Then came the parade of champions - a conga line of hardware-toting Hub superstars including Bill Russell, Bobby Orr, Tedy Bruschi, and the immortal Curtis Leskanic. Chief John Bucyk carried the Stanley Cup, Danny Ainge carted the Larry O'Brien Trophy, Bruschi held one of the Lombardi Trophies, and "the Mechanic" shared the World Series trophy with Dave McCarty.
According to Red Sox research, it was the first time the four trophies were in one location simultaneously. The only thing missing was the Olympic torch, but Sox management wisely eschewed the notion in the interest of fan safety.
After the basketball/hockey/football legends took their seats on the third base side, the 2007 Sox were presented their World Series rings, each player getting handshakes from John Henry, Werner, Larry Lucchino, and Theo Epstein. Johnny Pesky and David Ortiz raised the championship banner on the center-field flagpole.
