Red Sox World Series trophy to make rounds at Porthole

By David Liscio -- The Daily Item
Wednesday, February 9, 2005

LYNN-Members of the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce will get a chance to have their photographs taken with the World Series Trophy during a special event Feb. 17 at the Porthole restaurant.

The World Series Trophy Tour is headed for the North Shore, with stops Sunday in Marblehead, Swampscott and Nahant. Those public events differ from the showcasing slated at the Porthole restaurant, where it's LACC members only.

According to LACC Executive Director Kevin Donahue, the 35-pound, 24-inch tall sterling silver trophy will be at the restaurant from 7:30-9 a.m. Admission for members is $10 and includes a light breakfast. Getting your photograph taken with the trophy costs another $25, but members can invite other members to pose with them.

To make reservations, call the chamber at (781) 592-2900. Only members with reservations will be admitted. Space is limited to the first 150 to call. All proceeds from the photographs will benefit First Book-Lynn.

The 2004 World Series Trophy Tour is sponsored by the Massachusetts State Lottery and the Boston Red Sox.

Sunday's tour will begin with a trophy visit to Marblehead High School from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Swampscott High School from 1:30-3 p.m. After stopping at the Porthole restaurant on Feb. 17, the trophy will make a second local public appearance on Tuesday, February 22 at Lynn City Hall.

"Much like it was for the Red Sox, 2004 was a championship year for the Massachusetts Lottery," said Treasurer Cahill, who also serves as Lottery Chairman. "This sponsorship is a not only great opportunity to showcase a world championship trophy, but also to highlight the Lottery's record-high sales in 2004 which returned more than $700 million in local aid to cities and towns."

Since winning their first World Championship since 1918, the Red Sox have traveled to 10 states and to the Dominican Republic with the trophy. It has made multiple stops in all six New England States, as well as stops in California, Florida, Georgia and New York.

"Baseball fans in New England have long-awaited a World Series Championship win by the Red Sox," said Sen. Thomas McGee, a Lynn Democrat, adding that it was an event 86 years in the making.