(Host) An estimated crowd of 600 represented the Vermont contingent of Red Sox nation on Church Street in Burlington on Thursday to celebrate “Red Sox Day in Vermont.”
Sox President Larry Luchinno, team owner Tom Werner, and former Red Sox pitching great Bill Lee came to Vermont for the event. They were honored by Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle, Governor Jim Douglas and Senator Patrick Leahy, who got the crowd going with a reference to the loss by the New York Yankees.
(Leahy) “George Steinbrenner wanted to be here. He sent his regards, but he said he’s still very busy trying to find the ball that Mariano Rivera threw away last night.” (Sound of crowd applause).
(Host) Governor Douglas will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on “Vermont Day at Fenway Park” on August 25. He says it’s clear that Vermonters are among the most passionate of Red Sox fans.
(Douglas) “There’s so much enthusiasm, so much electricity in the crowd today. I think that if the Red Sox were to win the World Series, go all the way, the enthusiasm would be phenomenal in our state.”
(Host) Jenine Pawquette of North Ferrisburgh was asked how Vermonters would react if the Sox could win the title this year, for the first time since 1918:
(Pawquette) “Oh! I’d like to see that, I would like to see that. Pandemonium.”
(Host) As of Thursday evening, the Red Sox were trailing the Yankees by 2 1/2 games in the American League East, and had a half-game lead over the Oakland A’s for the Wild Card playoff spot.