: Friday, July 4, 2008 1:19 PM —'04-'07 Hits: 14, 121, 018 - '08 Hits: 1, 986, 231

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PORT-SIDE POISE

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Ace Jr. Lester Hurls Complete Game Shutout, Sox Cruise In Gotham, 7-0

Lefty Yields Just 5 Empire Hits, Ks 8, Walks Only 2, Throws 105 Pitches

Ellsbury And Lowell Each Collect 2 RBI; Drew And Crisp 2 Hits Each

Manny Scores From Second On Demon's "Arm"; Ball Still Rolling

Drew Makes Web Gem Catch On Posada Drive

Captain Tek Finally Gets 27th RBI After Long Drought

Sox Crawl Back To Within 3 Games Of Rays

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Mr. Epstein, Tear Down This 'Pen!

FN Bullpen Acquisitions POLL—Vote Here!

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Happy Fourth Of July Wishes From Sox Fan In Nova Scotia, Canada

by Don Hyslop, Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood

As someone who helped bring the World Series Trophy to Nova Scotia this past winter, I was able to garner an invitation to attend the Independence Day Celebration hosted by the U.S. Consulate here in Halifax. It actually was a dual celebration as the date also marked the 175 Anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Consulate here in Nova Scotia. (44 years before Canada even became a country) The missile destroyer U.S.S. Winston S. Churchill came to port on its way back from overseas to help mark the occasion. I had a great tour of the ship from a young officer from Boston, enjoyed a fantastic array of food and learned some interesting details about American history. Also got to share my frustrations with Red Sox play with many of the crew who were from New England. The U.S. Consul-General explained to the couple of hundred guests that America's independence was actually declared by the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. The night of the second the Pennsylvania Evening Post published the statement: "This day the Continental Congress declared the United Colonies Free and Independent States. John Adams, writing a letter home to his beloved wife Abigail the day after independence was declared (i.e. July 3), predicted that from then on "the Second of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival." A scholar coming across this document in the nineteenth century quietly "corrected" the document, Adams predicting the festival would take place not on the second but the fourth. Interestingly, the U.S. ship was docked right across from the Canadian frigate H.M.C.S. Charlottetown that had been on active duty with the Churchill overseas. It was a great couple of hours where citizens and sailors from both our nations shared food, stories, laughter and the appreciation that we both live in nations where we are so fortunate with the freedom and other advantages we have. We also celebrated both our Nations birthdays. Canada’s was on July 1st. To think that I actually hurried home to watch the Sox on TV. Oh well, that is a story for another day. This observer would like to take the time to wish all of my American friends a Happy 232nd Birthday, A Happy July 4th!! Have a great holiday and stay safe. It is great to have such good neighbours!

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Top O' Fens: We Want Our Buchhy Back!

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ROD-DONNA?

(Getty Images/AP Photos)

A-Fraud's Wife Flees To Paris In Wake Of Material Boy's Antics

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FN Contributor Susan Richards And Son Parker View "Dos Trophos"

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J.D. Drew Is FN June Player Of The Month

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The Main Difference Between Tampa And Boston

FN Baseball Quote Of The Day

From "10 TIPS FOR NEW RAYS FANS" On TampaBay Online:

"BRING THREE FRIENDS: If four people are in one car, including the driver, parking is free."

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The Papi Void

By Ernie Paicopolos, Editor-In-Chief

July 1, 2008—As we approach The Break, it is becoming painfully obvious how much the Red Sox miss David Ortiz. As brilliantly as J.D. Drew has played in June, there is a gaping hole in the Boston lineup in key, close, late-inning situations—witness the three one-run losses on the road in the last three days. It's hard to pin down exactly how Big Papi's absence is felt, it's just a gut feeling, a given, kind of like how you know whether a guy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame just by hearing his name. The menacing visage of David Ortiz staring at opposing pitchers in the 9th inning can't be quantified. It's just important. And we don't have it. And we're in second place. That's all you need to know.

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BOOK REVIEW

Hammerin’ Hank, George Almighty, & the Say Hey Kid
The Year That Changed Baseball Forever
By John Rosengren

Reviewed By Susan Richards HERE

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Listen To "MOONSHOT MANNY"

Watch Home Run Number 500 Here

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Buy The Editor-In-Chief's Book On The 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox

 

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