'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Red Sox Nation,

We prayed for Henry and Werner to end 83 years of frustration;

Our new leader Lucchino knows how much we care,

And that most of us hope Dan Duquette's outta there;

Last year’s Red Stockings were hung by injuries and retreads,

But now visions of a World Series dance in our heads;

With Larry as chief, and Johnny’s new Red Sox cap,

Could this be the year, we close New York’s 26-to-5 gap?

Then during my sleep there arose such a clatter,

It was down in Ft. Myers where something was the matter,

Away to the airport I jumped on a plane,

After spending the winter just waiting in vain;

Soon came the warmth of the Florida sun,

The Dirt Dogs were back to making baseball fun,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But Pedro Martinez, who hadn’t pitched for what seemed like a year;

And then, in a twinkling, he was back on the mound,

The prancing and pawing of the top throwing hound,

Laying his finger aside of the seam,

He gave me a nod, this was my impossible dream;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

He went into his windup; then turned with a jerk,

As he threw out his hand, and was coming around,

Down towards home plate, the ball took off with a bound;

He threw like the old days, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment, Petey was no longer sick.

More rapid than eagles came the Opening Day game,

At the top of the dugout, Joe called them by name;

"Now, MANNY! now, TONY! now, DAUBACH and NIXON!

On, DUSTIN! on DEREK! on, NOMAR and DAMON!

From the very first pitch! Hit it over The Wall!

Now swing away! Swing away! Let’s play ball through late fall!"

And just like before Nomar let the ball fly,

Jason threw out base stealers, hit long drives through the sky,

Manny had the old stroke back, when he hit ‘em they flew,

They all batted around, Offerman too;

I sprang to my feet, to the team gave a whistle,

They circled the bases, Pedro threw another missile,

The good times were back for our little ballclub,

"THIS IS THE YEAR, PENNANT FEVER GRIPS HUB"