Happy 36th Birthday Mark Bellhorn!

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Today we wish a very happy 36th birthday to World Series hero Mark Bellhorn!

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Like many people, I have no trouble in recalling my favorite Mark Bellhorn memory. It was Game 1 of the 2004 World Series. I was sitting in the bleachers trying to stay warm. The Red Sox had jumped out to an early lead, and I was hopefully of an easy victory. But, the Cardinals came back, twice, to tie the game. By the time Bellhorn strode to the plate in the bottom of the eighth, I was worried of an extra innings game in the cold rain. The wind was the worst point. It was whipping out to right, as it cut through you like a knife. Bellhord tried to pop a ball down the rightfield line, but the gale blew it well foul. I joked that the only chance was to hit the ball to center, and hope it was past the pole before it blew foul. I was almost correct. Bellhorn lofted another ball to right. We all held our breath. Pitcher Julian Tavarez tried the anti-Fisk, trying to push the ball foul. It didn’t work. The home crowd heard that glorious sound.

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The ball bounced off Pesky’s pole, and the Sox had the lead again. It was, of course, a lead they would never give up…for the rest of the series.

Bellhorn, of course, had many great games for the Sox. He had several great playoff games for the Sox. But, this cold, wet, tired Red Sox fan will always remember one more than the rest.

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Happy 36th Birthday Mark Bellhorn!