THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE

October 25, 2004 ... No game scheduled ... Amid concern about the Sox committing eight errors in two games - a World Series record - they have little choice but to replace Kevin Millar at first base with David Ortiz, who has played only three games at first since the All-Star break and only one since July 22.  But everyone, even Millar, agrees that sitting Ortiz in St. Louis would be folly with the franchise's first championship in 86 years at stake. Big Papi carried the team much of the regular season and the playoffs with a power surge that will endure for generations in Sox lore.

When the Sox huddled to allocate the windfall they would reap in the postseason, they made sure to award Nomar Garciaparra a full share of their playoff cash.

In a show of unity, the Sox, their wives, and team officials gathered for dinner at Morton's.

The Sox are reluctant to address the prospect of Curt Schilling pitching again with his tendon sutured, an unprecedented procedure. Leading the Cardinals, 2-0, in the best-of-seven series, they preferred to characterize Schilling's status as day to day.