Celtics Celebrations, Milli Vanilli tomfoolery, and World Series Bling!
Hello and Welcome to The Insider Blog!
Now, if you’ve found this blog, you probably already know that I’m a member of the Red Sox Front Office, writing this from inside Fenway Park. I’m not getting paid by the Red Sox to write this blog, and only a couple of top-ranking executives within the organization even have knowledge that I am writing it.
I’m a life-long Red Sox fan, and growing up, I always wondered what it would be like to get a glimpse into the inner-workings and decision-making processes inside the Red Sox Front Office. Lucky for you the readers, I stumbled into a job here, worked my way up, and (most likely through some clerical error) have been given keys that allow me access to just about every part of the ballpark and the offices. But to rip-off a line from Peter Parker, “with great power, comes great responsibility.”
With that in mind, it is my hope that on this page, I’ll be able to give Sox fans a real “Insider’s” look into what actually goes on here in the offices, in the halls, in the conference rooms, and even in the break room (though I’ll try to spare you all the details of how I sort through the gummi bears to get to the red and orange ones). Yes, we have gummi bears in our break room.
Ok…here’s what’s putting dents in the Green Monster this week…
First of all, we’re going to need a big last minute push to get our Red Sox into the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium! Please, please, vote for our guys (you can vote up to 25 times). And please encourage your friends to do the same! Send out an email, facebook message, away message or whatever you can, to your friends and family. Vote here!
In case you didn’t see it, on Friday, we had the World Champion Boston Celtics pay us and the Red Sox fans a visit, as their 
2008 Championship was celebrated here at Fenway. I got to spend some time with the owners, players, and staff as they prepared for the Pre-Game Ceremonies, and let me tell you, they were ecstatic to be here. Seriously, I mean, ear-to-ear smiles all day long. As a big Celtics fan, it was a pretty awesome thing to see.
What many people may not realize is that while other members of the team have thrown out the Ceremonial First Pitch in years past, this was Paul Pierce’s first chance. He was quite excited (as you can see…). It’s also just great to see the unity among the teams in Boston (from the Front Offices to the players).
Move over Gino! On Friday, the fans at the ballpark were treated to the debut of a new Rain Delay video starring Jonathan Papelbon and Manny Delcarmen.
I was fortunate enough to be around when they were filming the video (in case you were wondering, it was filmed in the Jordan’s 3rd base deck at Fenway Park). Trust me; if you thought the video itself was funny, you would love to see the “behind the scenes” footage. In particular, I enjoyed watching Pap and Manny trying to figure out who was supposed to “sing” which lines. The above photo was taken during the actual shoot.
And here’s your Insider’s heads-up…I just got word from one of my sources down the hall, that there will be a whole segment dedicated to the Behind the Scenes filming of this video broadcast on “The Red Sox Report” at Noon on 6/29 on NESN, re-airing at 6:30 pm, and 10:30pm. OR…if you don’t have NESN as always, you can become a citizen of Red Sox Nation and watch “The Red Sox Report” online any time, at your convenience. This is definitely a huge perk of Red Sox Nation, especially for those fans hundreds or even thousands of miles away from Fenway! Click here to find out more.
Also big props to all the fans who stuck out the rain delay and extra innings affair on Sunday to support the Red Sox Foundation’s Picnic in the Park fundraiser. Their dedication and generosity to charity were rewarded when many of the Red Sox players came out and signed autographs for them. If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Red Sox Foundation’s Volunteer team, or want to find out what you can do to help, click here!
Ok, so the real buzz around the office this week is that on Monday, the 2007 World Series Rings were distributed to members of the Front Office. In addition, other members of the Front Office will receive gifts such as World Series watches. It takes a lot of hard work, and long hours from a great number of people to make the Red Sox organization great, so it’s with great pride and appreciation that the rings were received. And fortunately, that includes yours truly! If you’d like to see what the ’07 World Series Ring looks like or, if you’d like to have a chance to win your very own World Series Ring (identical to that of the players) you can click here to find out more. We’re on the last few days of the raffle, so don’t miss out. Take it from me, if feels pretty darn good to walk around town with one of these rings on.
Speaking of which, I had to take my ring off so I could type this entry, and I’m getting anxious not having it on. So that’s it for this week. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments! I’m new to this whole blogging thing, but I think you can comment below; or as always, you can email me at insider@redsox.com
All the best!
“The Voice”
PS – If you just randomly found this blog, and don’t already receive the free Red Sox Nation Insider e-newsletter, you can sign up for it here. Each week there’s new Red Sox trivia, history, and the best photos from the week. And it’s FREE. Sorry, that’s my shameless plug, but it only takes 2 seconds to sign up and has really some really interesting content that you won’t find anywhere else. Did I mention it’s free?
Red Sox Insider Blog 
Hi “Voice” WooooHoooo Looks like I’m the first to comment! As an avid member of RSN I look forward to the behind the scenes stories. I’ve already enjoyed the Red Sox Insider and look forward to more wit and wisdom. One question? Can you ask the powers to be to be more cognizant of deadlines? What I mean is for instance when there is a contest that says winners will be chosen on Tuesday that either winners be published that day or at least say when they will be. Some of us are anxiously awaiting the naming of the RSN Governors. And we have enough anxiety watching the guys on the field! LOL Thanks again and keep up the good work
You’ve begun an interesting blog, O anonymous Red Sox front-officer. I hope you keep it up.
I gather from what you write that the team’s junior employees received World Series commemorative watches, and the senior people were given rings. Are those rings somewhat more modest in heft and ornamentation that the Papi-sized monsters the players got? If so, would you attach a photo? (The link you provided showed the players’ ring.) I’d also like to see what the watch looks like.
Ryan Anthony
Tucson AZ
Bosox fan since 1957 (born in Newton)
Citizen of RSN since founding
Great first post! Looking forward to reading more about the inner workings of the World Champions. Can’t believe I didn’t know about the Insider newsletter, but I just subscribed to it.
Keep the good stuff coming!
Steve
http://soxblog.mlblogs.com
Hey Voice,
Great blog and I can’t wait to see the behind the scenes video broadcast on “The Red Sox Report”. Keeping track of the All-star votes, lets hope RSN is getting everyone involved in voting. If you see Remdog around the office, give him my best for 20yrs on NESN. Saw the game last night (6/24), and the Inaugural Jerry Remy Day! Until the next blog…GO SOX!
D. Crowley
Do you work inside the Monster scoreboard? 🙂
Guy who marries couples on the roof?
Pesky Pole painter?
Are you Neil Diamond?
The guesses go on…
Mark
http://mlblogs.mlblogs.com
This isn’t Knoefel, is it?
Though if it is – I don’t suppose you’d admit to it! LOL.
Anyhow… very cool to start up an “insider” blog. 😉 I’ll be sure to link to it from my own if that is okay.
Looking forward to hearing more….oh incognito one. 🙂
Rebecca
http://supergoddessgirl.blogspot.com
Is this Allard Baird?
http://statisticianmagician.mlblogs.com/
Great blog! Look forward to more. I’ve been a fan all my life. I grew up in Stoneham, Ma. I’m 41 yrs young, and believe it or not I just went to Fenway for the first time on June 21st (9-3) Loss:o( I’ve been on Yawkey Way many times, but never inside! I’ve had tickets, and had to sell them because I couldn’t get the time off of work. It was everything and more then then I could have hoped for!! Varitek and Dice-K were warming up right in front of me before the game, so I got some great pics. I was told by my my cardiologist that I had to go into the hospital for a procedure on my heart on Thurs. the 19th and I told him about Fenway and how long I had been waiting, so he said…”well, no stairs and take it slow.” So I waited to go into the hospital until Sun. All turned out well, and it was well worth it!!! I just wish they won!! But I’m not complaining!
Well, I saw you in an interview all black like a shadow and, at first, I had no clue what the heck was going on but, once I started watching, I was so stoked to see more. I think what you’re doing is wonderful and commendable. Your desire to give us the info we want and need without getting the credit you deserve is very selfless. I dunno about any of my other fellow RSN members but I appreciate it. I want to know the behind-the-scenes stuff and I want to see the everyday person inside our players. Thank you very much. 🙂 Also, the video with Manny and Jonathan. I think it’s hilarious! But, I mean, who doesn’t love those two goofballs! Especially Jonathan. I’m a sucker for a cute guy with a healthy sense of humor. Well, Mr. Shadowman, keep up the great work! 🙂
I also would like to add that I am so proud of the Celtics boys! Great job, guys! And it was nice of the Red Sox to open their field to them for their celebrations. That was just amazing.
Chelsee
New Bedford, Ma.
Red Sox fan since I was in utero.
To the Voice;
Found the blog–you are doing really well.
Please ask Jerry Remy if he wants a home cooked meal when he comes to Anaheim. My husband and I would love to cook for him and talk baseball We live close to Anaheim stadium.
The Retired Teacher— A on the blog
To the Voice; You are doing well, the blog is great. Please ask Jerry Remy if he would like a home cooked meal while in Anaheim. We are close tot he stadium.
My husband and I would love to cook for him and talk baseball. Tell him I’m originally from Dighton.
The Retired Teacher— A on your blog
Great Blog!!! As a RSN member, I enjoy reading the behind the scenes stories… Is someone trying to tell you something with the animal crackers.. 🙂 .. I know somedays I feel like I work in a zoo…. but I have to say, I think the solider day was a such a great idea…. Keep up the great work….
Susan from Watertown
Just browsing thru the Hall of Fame postings and saw a clip of Dizzy Dean delivering a pitch….watching the delivery two or three times then comparing ( less his two pump windup) the arm swing and pitch and lo and behold their was the exact pitching motion and follow through of Justin Masterson. Check it out on MLB.com…could we have another Hall of Famer? Peace, Bill Nese Sr, Helena Mt.