Ellsbury Will Be Playing In Front of Hometown Fans

The Boston Herald is reporting that between 500-1000 residents of Madras, Oregon will be making the trek to Safeco to see their local hero playing in the majors. Jacoby was looking forward to it:

“I can’t put a number on it, but there are going to be a ton. I’ve heard that a lot of people will be coming up from Oregon, not just (Madras). It will be the first (time) a lot of them will get to see me play professionally. It will be nice to see everybody."

There is a chance that Coco may get the start tonight but Jacoby should see some late inning action as long as the Sox are in the game.

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Is There a Better Story in Baseball?

Jacoby Ellsbury was the toast of the town today in Madras, Oregon. At the beginning of the season he was on the Portland Seadogs; the AA affiliate of the Red Sox. At the end of the season he was batting leadoff in the World Series. In a week where we learned that the home run king was indicted for perjury in the BALCO scandal and the captain of the Yankees is in a multi-million dollar tax dispute it is nice to know a hard working kid from a small town can represent everything that is great about baseball. Jacoby Ellsbury seems fearless at the plate and on the base paths. When I watched Theo pour a can of beer over his head at Coors Field after game four it looked as if it was someone having fun with his kid brother. But this could not have been as easy as he made it seem. When he started playing everyday for the Red Sox the team needed him. The lead in the AL East was slipping. Coco and J.D. were getting booed. He carried this team with his speed into the playoffs like he carried every Native American baseball fan, all the residents of Madras, and Red Sox Nation everywhere. He is an instant fan favorite and not since Nomar have fans been so excited about a rookie. Jacoby's 18th birthday was on Sept. 11, 2001 he didn't get to have a good party. Today he got the party he deserved.

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Jacoby Ellsbury Will Get a Welcome Home Parade on Saturday

Red Sox rookie outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is returning to his home town of Madras, Oregon this weekend. The festivities include a parade and ceremony honoring his achievements this season. The parade will begin at 10 am on Saturday. Ellsbury attended Oregon State University before being drafted by Boston. Jacoby was an instant hit with the Nation this year while he filed in for injured Manny Ramirez. Once he was given the chance in the post-season he put a spark in Boston's offense helping them come back against the Indians and sweep the Rockies. Oregon is a popular place for the Red Sox with Hall of Famer Bobby Doer living there and Mr. Red Sox Johnny Pesky being from there. Madras is 120 miles from Portland so some urban members of Red Sox Nation out here on the west coast might make the road trip.

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