Idiot Savants: World Series Opens New Door For Sox Marketing

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Although Red Sox LF Manny Ramirez won World Series MVP honors, P Curt Schilling, P Pedro Martinez and DH David Ortiz are appearing in the traditional Disney spot, and Schilling was the grand marshal in the Champions Parade at the Magic Kingdom on Thursday. Schilling: “We were the chosen ones for the Disneyland promo this year, and we came out on the winning end” (ESPNews, 10/28).

RED SOCKS: Schilling said that his blood-stained sock worn in Game Two will be auctioned off for charity for either his SHADE Foundation or the ALSA, and the Reebok shoes he wore will go to the HOF (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 10/28). While Baltimore Sun columnist Laura Vecsey earlier this week questioned whether it was actually blood on Schilling’s socks, Schilling said, “It was.” Schilling, when asked if he wished to comment on the “spirit of Vecsey’s piece,” said, “Other than she’s a bad person? No” (Bill Griffith, BOSTON GLOBE, 10/28). Vecsey wrote on Monday, “There’s a contingent of baseball watchers, including Red Sox Nation faithful, who wouldn’t put it past Schilling to embellish the theatrics surrounding the management of this ankle problem.” Red Sox Dir of PR Glenn Geffner: “It could have a little blood mixed in there, we’ll have to check it out with the trainer” (SUN, 10/25).

HE’S A RIGHTY: Schilling, who endorsed President Bush's re-election campaign on his “Good Morning America” appearance yesterday and was scheduled for a campaign appearance with Bush today, wrote on Boston Dirt Dogs, "I am now not medically cleared to do anything until I see Doc on Sunday, so I cannot travel with President Bush [today]. Second, while I am a Bush supporter, and I did vote for him with an absentee ballot, speaking as I did the other day was wrong. While I hope to see him re-elected, it's not my place, nor the time for me to offer up my political opinions unsolicited” (BOSTONDIRTDOGS.com, 10/28). Red Sox 1B Kevin Millar said Schilling called him from Disney World and said, “’I was on Good Morning America (and) I said get out there and vote for Bush,’ and ten minutes later the President of the United States calls him up and says thank you. ... and now I guess they’re picking him up on Air Force One. He’s going to do three campaigns around here on the East Coast. That’s unbelievable” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 10/28).

Damon To Hit Night Show Circuit

HITS: Johnny Damon will appear on CBS’ “Late Show” on Monday and on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” sometime next week. “The Tonight Show” wants the “whole team to appear” with Damon (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/29). In Philadelphia, Don Steinberg notes Reebok and Olympia Sports in August began running a spot showing Ramirez “dreaming that someday he would be MVP” of the series (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/29).

EVERYBODY’S MARKETABLE? Steiner Sports Marketing President Brandon Steiner, on the Red Sox’ World Series win: “You’re not going to get a stronger regional marketing opportunity. It’s not far or wide (nationally), but you don’t usually get it this deep.” Steiner added “every guy on that team will have some opportunities” for endorsements (USA TODAY, 10/29). Red Sox RF Trot Nixon said, “We could get endorsements. We could win an Academy Award, this story is so good” (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/29).

NICE SCOOP: In Boston, Jeff Horrigan reported, “When the Sox fell behind the Yankees 3-0 in the ALCS, GM Theo Epstein decided a change of luck was needed, so he joined manager Terry Francona in a unique pregame toast.” Francona ... usually has a glass of Metamucil before each game, so Epstein joined him for Game 4. When the Sox won that game, he continued the practice for the remainder of the ALCS and all four games of the World Series” (BOSTON HERALD, 10/29).