Such a feeling of providence

The Red Sox win the World Series!!!

Susan:
A toast to the 2004 Boston Red Sox and all their fans. Congratulations …

 

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Bill from home:
Whooooooooooooooooooooo! [Sound of furniture crashing] Help! I've fallen and I can't get the fuck up.

 

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In a group of Soxaholix, a woman speaks:
I just pissed myself.

 

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Scene from a church:
Dear God, you like us, you really like us!

 

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Bill:
Somebody wake up the fucking Bambino's dead ass and tell him he's been punk'd!

 

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Mike:
I'm your fucking Daddy now, bitch.

 

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Tara:
People tried to put us d-down (talkin’ ’bout Red Sox Nation) Just because we couldn't get it d-done (talkin’ ’bout Red Sox Nation) …

 

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Mike:
How you fucking feeling?

 

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Doug:
Fan-fucking-tastic! It's like that moment when a woman bends down and unbuttons and unzips a man's pants; there is such a feeling of providence somehow.

 

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Mike:
And you can't help but feel that she has come, in that unzipping moment, to know the uselessness of words, and come, too, into a casual affirmation of the the life that is inside words but has no power to use them?

 

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Doug:
Absolutely. One yearns for such affirmation, or at least a view on to it.

 

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Mike:
And here we fucking are. On top of the mofo world.

 

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Author's Notes
Doug's unzip speech is from Letters to Wendy's, the entry July 28, 1996.

Comments

[Johnny]

How sweet it is! Congratulations to the Red Sox and Red Sox Nation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mazz]

What a glorious day it is!
They're WINNERS and there ain't no identity problem there.
CONGRATS to all! Thankyou GOD!!!

[Wes Ulm]

I was a Braves fan back when Atlanta finally broke through its travails to win the ring in 1995 (they're still my NL team). But in the realm of getting rid of those damn monkeys on the back and tossing those albatrosses off one's neck, nothing in sports history tops this. Winning the 2004 World Series, on top of shocking the Damn Yankees like that in the 2004 ALCS from behind 0-3-- this is truly historic. Lunar eclipse? Too pedestrian, too common.

But Sox victory? 86 years in the making, baby. Bill Buckner and Grady Little can finally walk the streets of Boston again without an armed escort. (I always thought those guys had gotten a scapegoat bum rap anyway, and Bill was a HOF-worthy hitter.) In a way I think it's also fitting that the Sox clinched it in Busch Stadium, in St. Louis, despite the aura of destiny that would have accompanied the clincher in Fenway. St. Louis is truly a shrine for baseball in its own right, and Busch Stadium is being torn down in a couple years-- what better place to consecrate the ballpark than to clinch a World Series in it, even if by the opposing team? Recall that the Sox were last in the WS in Busch Stadium back in '67, so it's damn sweet to be on the other side of this thing. John Henry and Larry Lucchino have a winner here, as does the entirety of Red Sox Nation. It's gonna be a happy winter in New England for once!

[Eli]

thanks for a great season HB! you've made this whole thing that much better!!!

[Chris]

The only time I was ever happy to see that dork Dan on QVC hawking World Series garb....

Congrats to all the Sox fan in this great nation!

Boston Red Sox World Series Champs 2004!

[chaglang]

thank f-ing god. i am comfortably numb.

when's the soxaholix 2004 book coming out?

[da kine]

What happens to the site now? Weekly strips?

[beth]

don't laugh. a friend of mine actually pissed herself screaming at foulke to throw the ball to minty last night.

for serious.

[The Babe]

On Behalf of Yankee Fans everywhere, Congrats!

Its about F*@KN Time!

[Rick]

Thanks so much, HB, for documenting this memorable season for us all in such a witty and wise way. I think it all sunk in for me just a few moments ago when I heard a BBC report on how "Boston have finally won the premier baseball tournament".

You deserve some time off--but we'll all understand if you keep the hot stove fires smoldering! Cheers.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." --A. Bartlett Giamatti

[LisaMK]

Loved your site all season.... great job! Just wanted to say congrats to you and all of Red Sox Nation. Feels like a dream still. Don't want to wake up ever!! LMK

[Kluv]

HB, well done. It's been a great relief to come here every day throughout the season.

WE ARE WORLD CHAMPS!

"Just remember, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour, and I know the sour."

[jb]

Thanks so much for a great site that quickly became a daily ritual and made this season so much more enjoyable. I always knew a tough loss would be a little easier to deal with after virtually commiserating with a comic strip. thank you!

[Adam]

Congratulations. I'm a White Sox fan, does this mean we have a chance to actually win some day, too?

[mmaug]

I found this somewhere on the net along with the Giamatti quote above. It seems appropriate:

How long, O Lord? I cry for help
but you do not listen.

Why do you let me see ruin;
why must I look at misery?

Then the Lord answered me and said:

For the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment,
and will not disappoint;

If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late.

-- Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-3

It wasn't late, it has come and it has not disappointed. Go Sox!

[Susie]

Love these comics so much. Seriously...I almost pissed myself. They have been the highlights of the games for me! Keep up the good work and congratulations!

[Yankee Fan]

Congrats bosox fans,enjoy it while you can.

[h.b.]

Thanks to everyone for the positive vibes.

I do hope to keep the Soxaholix going right on through the offseason. Should be enough excitement with free agents and Theo moves to keep the characters engaged.

Plus now we can start working on the Red Sox dynasty.

[Sheilla]

If you want happiness for an hour-think about A-Rod slapping random bystanders in the off season as he relives his moment of infamy during the ALCS.

If you want happiness for a day-remember Game 7 of the ALCS.

If you want happiness for a month-remember October, 2004.

If you want happiness for a year-remember the following phrase "Boston Red Sox: 2004 World Series Champions"

If you want happiness for a lifetime-think of George Steinbrenner and the hell that he is living through right now

- Red Sox Proverb

[joey]

In all my seven years of bartending, I never gave bad service, until last night. I live in Houston, so I had to wait 'till I got to my truck to lose all control. Thank you, H.B., for the comfort you gave us through these strips, and God bless the REDSOX, and God bless every REDSOXS' fan.How proud I am!!!

[Brandon]

Thanks h.b. Once I found this site, it quickly entered into my daily rotation of Red Sox web surfing that included Bambino's Curse, Boston Dirt Dogs, and SoSH.

Your strip's characters pretty much sum up what it means to be a part of Red Sox Nation right down to the collective joy we all felt when Foulke flipped that comebacker to Minky for the final out last night.

As for the idea that us Red Sox fans will somehow lose our identity because our guys finally won one, I say f*** that. I want another, and another, and another.

[Voodoo Vern]

A Jack Daniels toast to the Red Sox from all their fans that were born and raised in Utah. Our long winter will now be bearable. Glad to hear the Soxaholix will be around during the off season. How nice it would be if Bill Buckner could be invited to trow out the first pitch on opening day 2005. Rock on........

[AJM]

Greatest. Strip. Ever.

World Champions!

Thanks h.b.!

[francesa]

like everybody else I want to thank you for this awesome site. now let's all sit back watch everybody try to climb onto our winning bandwagon. Wow. Did I just say "winning bandwagon?" Oh brother, I think I'm tearing up again.....

[YankeeHater]

THE WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON RED SOX!!!

That has a nice ring to it. WAY TO GO!!!

Time to go bury the former monkey on our backs!

Hey Yankee Fans... Shut the hell up and get back in your house!

[Aaron]

Dear New York,
You were saying?
Love,
Boston

[Tman]

I'll pile on too, Thanks a bunch HB, this strip has been like therapy for me this year.

Let's say it again.

The 2004 Boston Red Sox are World Champions.

Wait, one more time-

The 2004 Boston Red Sox are World Champions.

I think I will be celebrating for the next three weeks over this. Liver be damned.

IDIOTS!!!!

[Ashley]

Sincere congrats to the Red Sox fans! (from a life long Yankees fan). I watched the game last night and admit I got chills (the good kind) when they won. Pretty cool. It's not often you get to watch history get made, right? I can totally appreciate it. Enjoy your world championship!

[AJM]

Oh, and once I put my pants back on (that might be in a few more hours) and order 365 "World Champion Boston Red Sox" t-shirts (one for every day of the year), I need to remember to order one of your "I got your 1918 right heah" shirts...great concept which deserves a lot more notice.

[johnny]

I also want to thank HB for this wonderful strip, which invariably echoed the things going on inside my own head... I only wish I could be there in Boston for this party on Saturday... I'll be toasting the conquering heros out here in Columbus, Ohio though!

By the way, did anyone else see Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore trying to leech off the Sox celebration for their forthcoming movie Fever Pitch? No class... Bush League.. I guess Schill would say Kerry League, right? Hey, Schill and I might not have the same politics, but short of stealing my wife, poisoning my cat or torching my house the guy can do no wrong in my book..

Can't wait for our guys to get their rings while the Yankees have to sit there in the dugout and watch next April 11... Wow.

Way to go, idiots :)

[Jake]

Wow...to think of all the teams who couldnt pull it off ('46, '67's impossible dream,'86 and bucknah,'03 cowboyed up) and in the end all it took was a bunch of idiots to pull the miracle of miracles

Thanks Sox Nation and congrats

repeat in '05!!

[bd]

Is this really happening? Seriously. Can someone pinch me or splash water in my face or hit me in the head with a frying pan or something? Is this really happening? I'm 3000 miles away from Boston, enjoying the aftermath of a Red Sox World Series victory (!), mobbed on the sidewalk outside of Sonny McLean's in Santa Monica, CA. We are singing "Take me out to the ballgame". We are chanting "Let's go Red Sox". We are slapping fives and screaming names and calling our moms and dads and...and...honestly...is this really happening?

Congratulations, Red Sox! Congratulations, Boston! Congratulations h.b. and all you beautiful people who read this site and the others like it and make it it so great to be a Sox fan. I wish I could be there with you all. Red Sox Nation West salutes you!

GO SOX!!!

[InMyLifetime]

I too, anxiously await the book, hb. Fantastic job chroniciling the ups and downs of a truly historic season. Cheers to you and all Sox fans!

[JB]

A huge thanks to h.b. for keeping me sane this season. Huge thanks!

Oh, and the Red Sox won the friggin' World Series.

[Craig]

I will never forget the words "And Down goes Goliath, down goes Goliath". The Spankee's had the Sox nailed to the cross, as close to dead as baseball has ever seen. As Einstein once said " spooky action at a distance". He didn't believe it, but it's true. Down 3-0 to the Crankee's and beat the monster in their house. A hundred years from now some twelve year old will look it up and ask his father. "Did that really happen"? His father will tell him "yes son it did, once upon a time their was this really big scary Evil Empire............

Thanks to the Sox, and thanks to you HB, your shit is priceless.

[sharon collins]

THE OFFICIAL 1918 SUPPOSITORY Not To Be Taken Orally- Repeat for New York Fans who never listen Not To Be Taken Orally! Comes in extra large size for unusually big asses Directions- Insert as needed and whenever directed. For best results product must be applied by beleaguered Red Sox fan, taking care to have one finger extended. Warning: In some areas of country, product may not be available due to excessive demand. Will not alleviate choking. Symptoms of choking are losing 4 straight games, whining and a tendency to slap. If you have received this product, it has been specifically chosen for you. Please use it and then proceed to flush yourself. For comments call 1 800-Yankees-Suck Manufactured in Virginia Oct. 27, 2004

[Mark]

This is a great site. Thanks, HB, for your terrific insight. Living as I do in exile, just outside of Dallas, TX, this has helped me keep involved with the greatest team of any sport, anywhere. And it doesn't matter if the Red Sox don't win another World Series for another fifty years; they did it in 2004. And they did it decisively and with talent and grace. All hail the winners of the 2004 World Series, The Boston Red Sox!!!!

[loosah]

Wasn't the Habbakuk verse at Mass on the Sunday that the Sox played Game 2? It was kinda fitting that that sort of thing was on an important day for the Sox. Thanks for all the great strips, humor and insight, HB. From introducing Circle to the Wonkette fixation to "the Passion of the Damon", this was a great year for both the Sox and Soxaholix. I'm still looking for a bookstore with a copy of "Letters to Wendy's" so I can read your inspiration.

[poker school]

Congrates Red Sox won the friggin' World Series.
If you are looking for the win at poker school then come and play poker.