I second Toby's nominations, for the reasons he cites. Montville was my favorite when I was growing up. His ~1980 column asking George Steinbrenner if he, too, could have a chance to manage the Yankees was pure joy.

But I also want to nominate Bill Simmons' e-mailbag. A lot of actual fans summed it up a lot better than I've seen it in the media. I particularly like the letter from the Yankee fan who said that everything he'd based his life on was now shattered. Not that I like to see one's emotions torn apart, but when you base your life on the Yankees always winning and the Sox always losing... well, you had it coming.

I'm not sure any one story captured it. It's too emotional and there are so many storylines. I liked the Johnny Pesky photo Joe Bivens pointed out, I liked the many fan anecdotes, and the parade.

I posted this in the 'hallelujah' thread, but I liked this Rob Corddry Daily Show clip as well. It captures the overwhelming giddiness.

I love that Montville piece. Presently I'm reading his book on Ted Williams. Good read, I seem to be taking ages to finish it though.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a good book about the Sox during the 1900 - 1918 era? I only have Red Sox Century.

Phil, I haven't read any books about that entire era, but I have read books about the championships in 1903 and 1918 that I enjoyed and found informative. "Autumn Glory: Baseball's First World Series" by Louis P. Masur doesn't focus specifically on the Red Sox, but obviously they're the major part of the book since they won the series. "The Year the Red Sox Won the Series" by Ty Waterman and Mel Springer does focus on the Red Sox, throughout the entire season.

The latter book is particularly interesting as it has cartoons and snippets from articles that newspapers ran during the season.

"The Glory of Their Times" deals with the first twenty years of the Red Sox. Tommy Leach and Harry Hooper were two of the interview subjects. Leach played against the Red Sox in the 1903 WS and Hooper was part of that great outfield in the teens.

Thanks, Ben and kevin.

While only ever going back as far as Ted Williams, I can read about the early days now.

Feels good reading articles on Ruth and laughing about it now.

I liked the Johnny Pesky photo Joe Bivens pointed out

Twasn't me.

As I've mentioned before, I can't stand Leigh Montville. Let me re-create my parody of a Leigh Montville column, circa 1976:

"I am a hockey puck.

Thwack.

A man wearing plastic armor and knitwear sends me hurtling through the air at a high rate of speed by striking me with a stick covered with sticky tape. If I am lucky, my monetum will be halted by twine. My next best destination: nestled safely in leather. Sadly, I occasionally smash into a metal pipe, or into wood. Often, I am deflected, and fly into a crowd of people, who I often injure.

Thwack.

I am a hockey puck."

Apologies to Don Rickles.

I think the Johnny Pesky photo was provided by Smiling Joe Hesketh.