Dwight Evans, 1991 Topps Traded #37T

The Orioles win! As I was hustling down the length of Track 14 this afternoon to catch my Camden Line (that's Camden as in Camden Yards, of course) train, I saw The Interlopers in front of me, with "MATSUZAKA 18" jersey shirts and blue hats with red "B"s and cans of Bud Light to drink on the ride to the park. I was tired at the end of a long day's work, but I stood in the aisle of the train car, a crush of humanity on both sides of me, the air conditioning either not working or rendered ineffective by all of the body heat. I stood and stole resentful glances at these carpetbagging "Sawx" fans who were flocking to MY stadium to claim it as their own and to drown out the cheers of the lonely O's faithful. I thought about leaning in to a young boy in a 2004 World Champions tee and offering my prediction for the game: Orioles 4, Red Sox 3. But I thought better of it, not wanting to seem petty and small.

As it turns out, I was surprisingly close to the mark. The woeful Birds offense clobbered Josh Beckett, as he allowed the most hits of any Boston starter this year. Rookie reliever Jim Johnson continued his late-inning dominance and turned things over to George Sherrill, who shut the door. 5 to 4. Those Northern intruders left with a bad taste in their mouths.

I don't like to gloat, but life is about these little victories. I'll drive my point home with a Red Sox legend, a man who spent parts of three decades in Fenway Park but finished his career in orange and black. Eventually, Dewey saw the light and suited up for the good guys.

At least that's how I like to think it happened.