Review of A&E Home Video's 2004 Red Sox World Series Collector's Edition

"Back to Foulke. Red Sox fans have longed to hear, the Boston Red Sox are World Champions!"

I wasn't prepared for the flood of emotions I felt while hearing Joe Buck utter those sweet words when Keith Foulke fielded Edgar Renteria's tapper back to the mound, and threw an underhand toss to Doug Mientkiewicz, sealing Boston's first World Series crown since 1918. Perhaps I was so overwhelmed because the Sox had experienced so many post-season disappointments, or maybe I felt so exhilirated because that 2004 team was so unique with its makeup and its chemistry. Of course, it didn't hurt that the Sox made the greatest comeback in the history of sports by transforming a 3-0 ALCS deficit against the New York Yankees into an American League pennant.

Regardless of the reasons why, 2004 will always be a special year for Red Sox Nation. There will be more World Series championships to follow, but that first one (at least the first one in the modern era of baseball) will always be extra special.

The endings of Hoosiers and Rudy are two of the most inspirational and motivating films of all time. I get chills when I watch both, even though I have seen them literally dozens of times. Add A&E Home Video's "The Boston Red Sox 2004 World Series Collector's Edition" to the list. The DVD set features all seven games of the dramatic ALCS against the New York Yankees and all four World Series games against the St. Louis Cardinals - all as they were broadcast on Fox. The collector's edition also includes a World Series Bonus DVD, including interviews with players and celebrity fans, the World Series locker room celebration and the 2005 ring and banner ceremony.

You can order the DVD by visiting http://www.shopaetv.com or at Amazon at  http://www.amazon.com/Boston-Red-2004-World-Collectors/dp/B0009IXRLW.

I never grow tired of watching Game 4 of the ALCS (especially Dave Roberts' steal, Bill Mueller's game-tying base hit and David Ortiz's 12th inning game-winning home run) and Game 4 of the World Series (the elation on the faces of Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield, knowing how long they have been with the Sox, gives me chills).

When I am in need of inspiration and motivation, as I often do with my full plate of writing and PR deadlines, I slip Game 4 of the World Series into the DVD player, turn up the volume and just watch as Foulke fields Renteria's grounder and the Red Sox make history. It represents the reward for resilience, and it leaves professional sports' most loyal and devoted fan base craving another World Series championship to call our own. This DVD set is a keepsake that never grows old.