On June 29, 2004, nearly 200 Red sox partisans gathered to break bread and, where warranted, imbibe the odd alcoholic beverage prior to their team's climactic series against the hated Yankees which commenced that evening.

The assembly occurred in an executive dining room in the centrally-located Time-Life building and, at least for those participants not cursed with the "gift" of prophecy, the gathering was an occasion of high spirits and optimism. In lieu of the traditional meat and potatoes, the fare consisted of salads and various other light comestibles. The new menu was warmly received.

In an indication of the import which the Red Sox attached to the gathering, the team, in a highly risky and nearly unprecedented move, dispatched its entire roster of Executive Vice Presidents, namely EVP/Business Affairs Mike Dee, and EVP/Public Affairs Dr. Charles Steinberg to dine with the BLOHARDs.

Additional participants included long-time BLOHARD patron Dick Bresciani (VP publications and archives), old favorite Joe Castiglione, Reliever Lenny Dinardo, baseball historian Bill Nowlin, and film critic Jeffery Lyons. Dee gave a humorous talk in which he spoke about his previous experiences in San Diego and his hopes for the Sox. Dr. Steinberg spoke at length about the connection between the fans and the team. Prompted by the questioning of Castiglione, Dinardo gave a wide-eyed rookie's impression of life in the big leagues. Castiglione and Nowlin each have recently published books, more information about which can be found here and here respectively.

Presiding over the affair with the requisite iron hand was Maximal Blohard James Powers. Under his steady leadership, events proceeded on schedule, and fist fights were held to a bare minimum. In view of the exemplary level of decorum which was maintained, hopes are high that we'll be invited back by the Time-Life crowd for the pending Sox-Yanks series in September.

NOTE: Readers who, for some reason, prefer pictures which are not grainy, are larger than a postage stamp, and don't take a half an hour to load might wish to visit the Globe's coverage of the meeting.