The Prodigal Tito Will Return To Fenway

Former Sox Skipper Terry Francona

Things are now right with the world. At least as far as tomorrow's 100th birthday celebration for Fenway Park is concerned. It just wouldn't have been the same without one Terry Jon Francona at the big scmooze-fest on Friday. The former skipper announced yesterday that he had a change of heart and would attend the ceremonies.

This is the guy that guided a rag-tag group of misfits to curse-breaking history. This is the guy that stuck with Dustin Pedroia during his rookie April—resulting in ROY and MVP awards. This is the guy with Bigelow's green tea. He has to be there. Having said all this, it's a potential big embarrassment for Bobby Valentine. Those "Tito" chants that drown out Carl Beane's voice will be a clear message to the NOG: 'For all his warts, Francona was better'. For our part, we hope The Mad Dentist's festivities go off swimmingly—we can use all the distraction we can get from this 2012 edition of the Carmine Hose.