Thursday, 4:30 PM
Red Sox return home to cheering fans
By David Abel and Peter Schworm, Globe Staff
The Red Sox landed this afternoon in an out-of-the-way corner of Logan International Airport, far from the bustle and glare of the main terminals. That didn't stop a few intrepid fans from greeting the World Series champs.
Al Siciliano, 41, of East Boston took the day off from his job washing windows because he knew the Red Sox would be coming through Logan's south gate, where presidents and other VIP's often exit the tarmac.
"I wanted to be the first fan to welcome them back," said Siciliano who wore a Red Sox cap and T-shirt. "If I could say one thing to them, it would be, 'Thank you, and thank you we don't have to want another 86 years.' "
At about 4:30 p.m., the team rolled out of the south gate in several buses, lead by a State Police cruiser, with Manny Ramirez riding shot gun and holding up his index finger.
In one of the buses, David Ortiz could be seen smiling broadly. Pena Perez, 23, a secretary who works in Logan's cargo department, began to shriek. "I'm going to die of happiness," she said.
On Yawkey Way in the shadow of Fenway Park, over a thousand fans gathered to catch a glimpse of their returning heroes and the glittering World Series trophy. While waiting for the buses to arrive, they chanted "Let's Go Red Sox," sang "Sweet Caroline," and bounced around beach balls as if they were sitting in the bleachers.
"Last time it was for our parents," said Maureen Fredette, 53, of Stoneham. "This time it's for us and our kids."
