Happy 4th of July!
July 4th, 2009 | by Darryl Johnston |
Independence Day!
July 4th, 2003 – I was on the beach in Hampton, NH enjoying a warm sun and a cold beer.
Today, I woke up remembering that particular day because sun in New England is a little hard to come by in 2009. We have been hampered by a strange summer weather pattern that has kept the region under cloud cover and rain since virtually Memorial Day.
But today, July 4th, 2009, I woke up to a warm sun peaking through my shades. It was a nice reminder of what July 4th should feel like.
It also made me think of that 2003 summer day when our country celebrated their Independence Day and Red Sox fans celebrated a 10-3 drubbing of the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
The Sox put on their own fireworks display as they scored all of their runs via the home run. Jason Varitek, Bill Mueller and David Ortiz all hit two home runs each. Manny Ramirez added one of his own as the Sox tagged David Wells for 10 hits and eight earned runs in 5.2 innings. Varitek also added two doubles to his two home runs.
Now, Yankees fans will counter with Dave Righetti’s no-hitter against the Red Sox on July 4th, 1983 but I don’t really care about that. I was four years old in 1983 and since 2000, the Yankees haven’t really done anything, so I’m not going to let them keep hanging their hats on old achievements. Boston Bruins fans know that doesn’t work anymore (1972).
So as you crack a cold beer and grill your burgers today, think back to 2003 and enjoy your Red Sox win. Today they face the Seattle Mariners which should produce another win. Brad Penny is on the mound.
Happy 4th of July!
Red Sox (48-31)
Darryl Johnston is the Red Sox correspondent for Fanball.com. He has many years of sports writing under his championship belts. Email him – redsoxdj@gmail.com
Tags: 4th of July, Bill Mueller, Boston Red Sox, Darryl Johnston, Dave Righetti, David Ortiz, David Wells, Fanball, Jason Varitek, Manny Ramirez, New York Yankees, Sox Tea Party
