I’ve assembled and arranged all of the necessary talismans for tonight’s must-win season finale. Moving clockwise from left to right:
— Lucky Nomar Garciaparra jersey, which I was wearing in the stands during Game 4 of both the 2004 and 2007 World Series
— Fred Lynn autographed batting helmet
— 2004 World Series baseball, autographed by Johnny Pesky with the inscription “Ted, we finally did it.”
— My fave Sawx hat, from the 2004 World Series
— The Denver Post from October 29, 2007, the day after the Sox swept the Rockies in the World Series
— Jonathan Papelbon action figure, created back when he was both insane and untouchable
— Home run ball hit by David Ortiz on June 10, 2005 at Wrigley Field
