i may be too giddy leading the feel the love brigade but damn these last few years have been hard. after katrina and the absolute ass benson made of himself towards the fans here, seeing some changes so aggressive and positive brings a breath of hope to us all. i have watched since gary cuozzo and billy kilmer led the way. sad to think of not just buddy d but all of the devoted fans who only have seen what has been the past. some people do not understand how deep the impact was for the red sox to break "the curse". i believe in a similar fashion people do not know how deeply rooted fan support is for this team and what winning means. sure, high school football across the south is like a religion that other parts of the country know about but do not understand. people read about the tailgating and the experience of tiger stadium on a saturday night, it is special. but our battered and bruised saints have woven their way into the fabric of our society here after 39 years in their own unique way, like family. as the saying goes, i can call my brother a sonuva*****, but if you do i'll break your arm.

a moment of remembrance for buddy. toasting him with a cup-o-java and something stronger for st. pat's tomorrow.