Chronology

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A BLOHARD chronology 1967 – 2004

1967 In the bar car of a Connecticut-bound New Haven Railroad train following a Yankee-Red Sox confrontation, Jim Powers breaks into song: ”Who’s better than his brother Joe? Dominic DiMaggio…”, thereby attracting the attention of like-minded Sox fan Henry Berry. The two become friends and fellow pillars of the BLOHARDs. Red Sox miraculously win the pennant. 1968 First bus trip to the Fens for opening day. Sox lose by a score of 9-2. Cocktail at the Howard Johnson on Boylston St. costs $1.25 Late 1960s BLOHARD get-togethers are held up to thrice-yearly at Manhattan’s Danny’s Hideaway, a super-chic steakhouse/nightclub. 1970? Bus trip to home opener marred by rainout. Assemblage retires to Jacob Wirth restaurant for food and drink. Two revelers fail to return home on bus, earning trip coordinator Henry Berry the undying emnity of their wives. Henry is subsequently meticulous about making sure all hands are present and accounted for prior to departure from Boston. Early 1970s Meetings occur at the Lexington Hotel Early 1980s? BLOHARD banner, symbol of organizational sovereignty, disappears under mysterious circumstances. 1982 In his final year as Red Sox radio announcer, Jon Miller addresses a horde of BLOHARDS. Miller imagines a breakfast meeting of Yankee PA announcer Bob Shepard, and his imortal, albeit deceased, Boston counterpart, Shem Feller2… Shepard (portentiously):”I’ll take the #2 – over easy. #2.” Feller:”I’ll take four bloody Marys.” Early 1985 At the year’s first luncheon, Marty Barrett tells, as a rookie, of trying to pull the hidden ball trick on Bobby Grich, and of having Grich calmly tell him that if he (Barret) ever tried it again, he (Grich) would rip his (Barrett’s) eyes out. Later 1985 The second lunch of the year is the setting for a prolonged Socratic dialog during which BLOHARD-For-Life Joe Cosgriff prevails on Sox skipper John MacNamara to bat Boggs before, not after Evans in the order. 1986 Shortly following his 20 strikeout performance against the Mariners, Roger Clemens speaks to a crowd of 300 at a BLOHARD lunch held at the McGraw Hill executive dining room. Clemens goes on the have first-ballot hall of fame career. 1987 Long-time BLOHARD treasurer Walter Teitz, famous for his Treasurer’s reports, dies in his basement, stamp collection in his lap, as the Sox drop a game in extra innings to the Tigers. 1992 Butch Hobson, newly-appointed as manager of the Red Sox, essentially challenges a by-now age-enfeebled Henry Berry3 to a fist fight during an early April BLOHARD confab at the McGraw Hill building. Berry’s crime? Gentle mockery of Hobson’s mentor Don Zimmer. In three subsequent seasons as Sox skipper, Hobson fails to ever bring the team in above .500. 1991-1998 During his entire tenure as the Red Sox’ most feared slugger, Mo Vaughn never once addresses the BLOHARDs. Career ends mired in injury and bitter disappointment. 1994 Dan Duquette, newly appointed as Red Sox general manager, lunches with the BLOHARDS. Notwithstanding his reputation, he is gracious, relaxed and funny. The Red Sox subsequently win the AL East in his second year on the job. 1996 Henry Berry dies at the age of 70. 1997 Under the steady hand of Dick Strobridge, the BLOHARDS enjoy dinner and a game at Shea Stadium as the Sox play the Mets for the first time since 1986. Down early, and subjected to innumerable replays of Buckner’s gaffe, we gain a measure of redemption by winning 8-4. 1998 Continuing a streak which begins with Dick Williams and is interrupted only by Kevin Kennedy, Jimy Williams speaks to BLOHARDS4. Immensely likeable, during a 45 minute conversation, he never once gives a straightforward answer to any remotely controversial question. Performance rivals that of Casey Stengel in famous congressional testimony. Kennedy, incidentally, ends his Red Sox career being unceremoniously fired. 1998 T. Maloof, Blohard treasurer, disappears under mysterious circumstances, taking with him all relevant records. Number of purported lifetime-dues-paying BLOHARDS skyrockets. 2001-2003 During his tenure as the Red Sox’ most feared slugger, Manny Ramirez never once addresses the BLOHARDS. He is subsequently placed on unconditional waivers. 2003 Sox home opener is rained out, rescheduled for next day and rained out again. Game is ultmately played in July. Cocktail at the Howard Johnson on Boylston St. costs $4.50. Sept. 2003 Standing in for his deceased and unlamented doppleganger Joe Castiglioni, Red Sox radio announcer Joe Castiglione conducts a highly informative and entertaining get-together. Noted film critic Jeffrey Lyons, radio personality Ed Randall and Sox VP for Baseball Operations Mike Port also speak. Port subsequently wins the coveted Roland Hemond Meritorious Service Award. 2004 What is there to say? Our June meeting featured the Sox’ entire roster of executive vice presidents, while the September meeting featured the entire coaching staff, and the return of the Bambino. Then, in November, we partied with the trophy. It was all so much fun, that we’re bound and determined to do it again.


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