Boston Red Sox fans Theresa Lornelli (L) and Hazel Evans (R) pose with Wally the Green Monster and the two World Championship trophies won by the Boston Red Sox. ~ Photo by Andrew Firestone Andrew Firestone The Senior Center of Somerville's Council on Aging was host to two long-hoped for, but never expected guests this last Thursday, February 11th when they were visited by the two World Championship trophies won by the Boston Red Sox. For fans who had waited longer than most, with many remembering the diamond heroics of Ted Williams and Frank Malzone, it was an event of transcendent joy. While experiencing the now infamous 86-year title drought, these septuagenarian Fenway Faithful never lost heart, and always supported their team. "If they win, we love 'em. If we lose, we love 'em," said Hazel Evans Supporting the team from their days as cross-town rivals of the Boston Braves, these members of Red Sox nation were nevertheless ecstatic about the Red Sox climbing to the pinnacle of the sport. Theresa Lornelli who attended the parade in 2004, admitted that she "was more excited about the parades than my own children, when they did something."

The trophies, flanked by two ambassadors of the Red Sox and accompanied by the Wally the Green Monster, as he greeted fans young and old and stood by the two trophies, which were recently remounted and polished. The 2004 trophy, the attainment of which sounded the end of the Curse of the Bambino, was especially in need of a skilled metal worker, having been squeezed by an enthusiastic David Ortiz.

Maurice "Mo" Spear, a 50-year resident of Somerville, was likewise taken aback by the trophies, remarking "It's something I never thought I'd live to see." "It's a great experience. I'm blessed. I'm happy for 'em," she added. Spear also exclaimed her belief that the Red Sox would continue their domination of the league: "They'll do it again, they will," she said. "They've got it in their blood now."

Of those polled, most said that their favorite Red Sox member was Mike Lowell, the 2007 World Series MVP as well as American League MVP Dustin Pedroia. "When they went out at the field, they loved the crowd," said Lornelli "They went right along with the crowd and they accepted us like one of their own," remembered Evans.

Whether or not there will be another trophy or their favorite players will return to top form next year remains to be seen, but for this day on the Hot Stove, for one afternoon, the Heart of Red Sox nation resided in Somerville.