A night of bliss: they're paying me for this? The Red Sox win, and I'm there.(Know it All)

Let me--a lifelong Red Sox fan born and raised in St. Louis (long story)--get this straight. I get to cover Game 4 of the World Series while I tag along with an MLB film crew? Eat your heart out, Ray Kinsella.

As I approach the Busch Stadium press gate, Red Sox G.M. Theo Epstein walks right past me. Theo and I are the same age, though only one of us has a Nomar Garciaparra trade on his resume.

You'd be amazed at the amount of behind-the-scenes work involved--and the stuff you see in the clubhouse tunnels. A flower arrangement with red and white balloons arrives for someone on the Red Sox (from Bill Buckner?), Joe Buck and Tim McCarver scout the area, and something is carted through under the secrecy of a large white sheet. "The World Series trophy," someone speculates. Dear Lord, I pray, please let it be 29-inch good-luck charm Nelson de la Rosa.

Other amazing revelations: Red Sox zillionaire owner John Henry and I possibly share the same oxygen as he walks by, Bronson Arroyo's hair looks even sillier in person, the champagne (about 20 cases) arrives at 6 p.m., and Lou Brock hangs around in full uniform as he prepares to throw out the first pitch. Hank Aaron and Bud Selig walk side by side (Aaron hasn't looked this uncomfortable since those yahoos ran the bases with him when he passed the Babe). And I swear I hear "Big Pimpin'" playing as Pedro Martinez and his hair stroll in. Perhaps the music ...