Red Sox World Series Parade 2008

Seeing as the World Series is now over, it logically follows that another victory parade will come through the heart of Boston. It's the official Championship Parade City, right? HHR's Chief admits this parade for his glorious Red Sox shows much less enthusiasm than anticipated, but at least there are still good spots along the streets.

Like last year, here is a running photo blog diary of the celebration! WOOOO HOOOO!!! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!

Got off the T early this morning, and look at the crowds! Everyone is headed in the same direction: To GLORY!

Cops haven't closed the street yet, but already people are milling about, probably trying to get a sweet spot to see the Duck Boats and our Championship team. I hope Mike Lowell waves at me again like last year!

Here come the police. Get ready to make way!

This lady got a primo spot right on the cross walk. It pays to get here early!

This father and son really show what it's all about. The kid's Red Sox cap was strangely the first piece of Sox gear I've seen, but that's probably because it's cold out and people are covered up in jackets until the parade begins.

As you can see, cars are already stopping and the streets are starting to empty.

Police on bikes! That can only mean one thing: The Sox are coming! The Sox are coming! WOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!

City Hall Plaza has been cordoned off, in anticipation of another record setting crowd.

Hmm. I didn't expect to set a record LOW in attendance. Although you can feel those ladies' excitement from here!

I got a nice spot at street level, but it's getting nearer to parade time, and I'm wondering where people are. Oh snap, is it daylight savings time? Am I super-mega early? (Update: Nope)

This guy is one of the few people I've seen who brough a chair to secure a spot. I gave him $50 cause he said it's going to the Jimmy Fund. Or maybe he said, "Jimmy's Fun" or was it "Peppermint Schnapps?" It was hard to hear over the sound of my heart beating in anticipation of the parade! LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER!!!!!

Street Maintenance people out in full effect to change the stop lights! Either that or a homeless man is chewing on the wires again.

Up at my usual perch that has the best view of every celebration parade. Not sure what's going on, beacuse there are still cars parked on the street. Unless that's the players in their cars! Quick question: Does anyone know if Varitek drives a taxi?

OK - the streets are clear, but where are the people? This is so crazy. The parade is gonna start anytime now!! C'mon Boston!!! TESSIE YOU'RE THE ONLY ONLY OOOOOOONNNNLLLLYYYYYYY!!!


OK I am officially confused. But I see a Trolley coming from the other direction! That can only mean one thing: time to hit the street and take advantage of the unobstructed views!

Papi! Pedroia! Beckett! WooHoo! You guys are the best! Thank you for bringing another... Huh. False alarm. I hate to say it, but this parade blows so far.

PARADE UPDATE: I just received word that the World Series Celebration was relocated to Philadelphia!

WHAT. THE. HELL.

Celtics Parade -The Live Running Blog Diary

Simmons does running diaries. Others do Live Blogs. I give to you my Live Running Blog Diary.

Dear LRB Diary,

9:30 - Streets in downtown Boston close. Crowd's beer cans open. Must be a total coincidence.

9:31 - The yelling begins. They can't possibly keep this up

9:45 - Someone brought a trombone it sounds like.

9:55 - Now I am getting on a conference call for work. With the parade going on under my window. What could possibly go wrong.

10:01 - The people on my conference call asked about the parade. I told them of my green pants and the intoxicated crowds. Pretty sure half of them think I'm wasted based on my enthusiasm for my fierce green pants. *6 - MUTE, ON.

10:10 - Yankees Suck. Seriously?

10:11 - Beat LA! Hmm.

10:12 - Wooo!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! There we go. That's the right stuff. Hey look. Cops!

10:20 - "Chief, what do you think? Chief?" Oh crap. I answer with mute still on. long silence. *6 MUTE OFF, followed by trombones and honking. My conference call assumes I am under attack by a drunken marching band. I answer the question with "I pretty much agree with what has already been said, but think the subtle differences are worthy of a bit more discusssion." I am not just a bullshitter. I am a bull-shit artiste.

10:45 - It is 10:45 in the morning and someone definitely booted on the street. And people are boo-ing. I do not know if these are connected. Now there are cheers! He must have rallied. Or punched a cop.

UDATE
11:30 - Free pizza. Word.

11:40 - We go to Live Running Picture Blog Diary. Booyah.

Note to self: get confetti cannon truck.

Before any entrance, be sure to have the place spotless

Here come the Celts

'Nuff said.

Pierce (upper left) holds up his MVP trophy

A shot of KG with the trophy. If it seems blurry and out of focus, you must have too much awesomeness in your eyes.

KG again with the hardware

At the cemetery on the left lay the victims of the first Boston Massacre

Just another normal day in Boston.

Post Parade Update: The parade is long gone, but the streets are still a happening place to be. Chants of DE-FENSE! DE-FENSE! are going on. But the best chant by far has been the SCAL-A-BRINE (clap clap clapclapclap!) one. Well played.

Celts Parade

I got it pretty sweet - for every Boston championship, the parade runs right underneath my office. Though I have to say, with an hour to go, the Celts parade route is looking a little thin. I will concede that the crowd in general sounds way more intoxicated than the Red Sox throngs. So yay us. The parade begins soon, but I thought I'd show off my serious green pants - completely inappropriate office attire in every way.

Part 5: the chief Red Sox Parade Photo Diary

Click images to enlarge...

Below: World Series Trophy



Below: World Series Trophy Drive Thru.



Below: I just liked this. This is what it the whole parade felt like to me. If that's too profound or abstract for your ass, don't worry, Power Rankings will be back tomorrow.

Part 4: the chief Red Sox Parade Photo Diary

Click Photos to enlarge...

Below: Pedroia, bottom right. And that's Yoooooouuuuk in the top right corner, accompanied by an empty box of Natty Light - the official beverages of dirt dogs (and vagrants).


Below: Dice K actually waves to HHR. He is being trailed by every single member of the Japanese media.



Below: The bullpen band actually brought equipment. This is bizarre. They don't actually know how to play. Yet, what the hell, give them some bongos. They're gonna get drowned out by...


Below: Oh God. Here comes Papelbon. You can probably hear the Dropkick Murphys just by looking at the picture.


Below: Paps was dancing most of the way, but by the time he got to us, he was chillin' with Okajima and playing a broom guitar. Naturally.

Part 3: the chief Red Sox Parade Photo Diary

Part 2: the chief Red Sox Parade Photo Diary

Tito's Head says: OBEY

Proof that people will stand in front of anything...

...With anybody.

Channel 7's own Frances Rivera is helpful

Part 1: the chief Red Sox Parade Photo Diary

From just outside the chief's office: "Freaking 10:30. Unreal."