About Jeff Louderback (Red Sox)

A native of Ohio, I became a Red Sox fan when I was just 7 years old. That was in 1975, when the Big Red Machine faced the upstart Red Sox, who at the time had a roster adorned with guys like Fred Lynn, Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, Carlton Fisk, Luis Tiant, Rico Petrocelli and Bernie Carbo.

I fondly remember watching my first World Series game. It was Game 6 of the '75 Series, and my dad let me stay up and watch all 12 innings of the classic that ended with Fisk blasting the historic home run. Even though I was just 7, I was hooked. I became an instant Sox fan, despite living in Reds country. I have followed the team closely since. I came home from school when I was 10 in 1978 and cried when Bucky Dent hit the dinger off Mike Torrez. I was a senior in high school when the ball rolled through Buckner's legs and the Sox lost Game 6 and Game 7 of the '86 Series.

As Red Sox fans, I think we are blessed to feel a passion for what I think is the greatest sports franchise. Though we have endured lots of heartbreak, one thing is certain. It is rare when the Red Sox are not in contention for a playoff spot. With the presence of Theo Epstein and John Henry, I feel confident that the Sox will continue to field winners that can compete with the Yankees, and add more World Series flags to Fenway Park.

About my professional career, I earned a degree in communication from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and worked as a sports writer for a daily newspaper in Ohio, covering high school, college and pro sports, including the Reds and Bengals. I left the world of full-time sports writing and served as a reporter and editor for newspapers and magazines, and a public relations director for organizations, before launching my own writing and PR business.

I am a freelance writer who specializes in sports features, personality profiles, travel and lifestyle features and business features for regional and national magazines. I am the editor of OverTime Magazine, which is a national business and lifestyle magazine for professional athletes. I also serve as a writer and publicist for companies and organizations nationwide.

A published author, I am also writing a baseball-themed travel guidebook incorporating MLB and minor league towns. You can read some of my work at www.jefflouderback.com, www.mediabistro.com/jlouderback and www.writeperceptions.net.