In order to start this blog, I thought I would really drive home this crossroads idea. I will start by combining two of my favorite entities in the world…the 2004 Red Sox and thrift shopping. 

My love of the 2004 Red Sox is prominent to those who know me and to those who don’t, here is a picture of me meeting Trot Nixon. I hope the look of per joy and awe prooves my point. As a 10-year-old the 04 sox were as close to perfect as you could get. From the lunch pale dirt dogs such as Johnny Damon, Billy Mueller, and the previously mentioned Nixon, to the fun-loving Kevin Millar, David Ortiz, and Pedro Martinez, this team conveyed to a younger version of myself that there is still some good in the world. To this day the foundation of my moral compass is based on whether a member of the 04 sox or 04 Yankees would do something. ( If I think Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi would support a decision I am about to make you can bet I am rethinking it.) The 04 sox still hold the most room in my heart which is why I am dedicating a significant amount of my time and energy to them, but we will get to that soon.

So what are the crossroads between the 04 sox and thrifting? Well, they are both things I love. There is nothing I love more after a tough week of work than wondering into a thrift store in search of rare treasures. I primarily look for old sports jerseys and t-shirts, funky art, and furniture but you truly never know what you will see or what you will come home with. Again if you know me you know I love to randomly text people with simply, Savers trip? 

Naturally, my favorite gems at thrift stores are when I come across merchandise from the 04 sox. Framed pictures, pennants, and cards are always fun to come across but the ultimate find is a 04 Red Sox player t-shirt. You know what I’m talking about. Blue shirt, red letters, and a player’s name and number on the back. I love finding these and after a while, I realized I had quite the collection. ( Hopefully, I will release a piece where I show off my entire collection which I estimate is over 50 player shirts and around 12 jerseys). I noticed I had a good amount of the 2004 Red Sox team and thus my challenge was born. 

My goal over the next year is to collect the entire 2004  Boston Red Sox roster of player t-shirts. 

Here are the rules

1. I have to find the shirt at a thrift store, yard sale, or flea market. eBay would be to easy so I have eliminated this option from my challenge
2. It can be any color or size. While the traditional sox player T is blue with red letters, I have no issue with the red shirt or even the rare gray shirt. While I fit best in a medium or large t-shirt I have a weird body and can with relative comfort fit in s-XL. (I’m an ameba) 
3. Friends CAN help me only if they find a shirt at one of the previously mentioned locations BUT I will have to complete a challenge or answer a trivia question from the respective friend in order to achieve the shirt
4. Shirts I already own count 

So now that you know the rules lets see where I stand as of now

Shirts I have:

Johnny Damon

Manny Ramirez 

Nomar Garciapara -Obviously he was traded but was on the opening day roster 

Gabe Kapler -He was #19 during the 04 season but who the hell has a Gabe Kapler shirt so I’m going to let it slide.

Jason Varitek 

David Ortiz (Not in picture)

Kevin Youkilis ( Not in Picture)

Curt Schilling   (Not in Picture but I am wearing it in the above picture with Nixon)

So as you see I have a decent start but still have a long way to go. 

Here are a list of players I am 100% confident I will find

1. Time Wakefield -Lots of people loved Shakey Wakey and he was on the team for 250 seasons so I know he will pop up soon
2. Pedro-I’m shocked I don’t have this already
3. Trot Nixon- You cannot go to Fenway without seeing a few of the dirt dogs jerseys and shirts so I know it will pop up

Here are the list of players who I will be surprised but not shocked if I find their shirt

1. Kevin Millar – One of the most loved Sox players but had such a brief stint I rarely see his shirt (Cowboy up)
2. Derek Lowe- The most underrated and low key clutch performer on the roster. I wish more people liked D-Lowe so I could snag one of his shirts
3. Dave Roberts- The hero who swiped the bag in 04. His legendary play lives on in Red Sox lore and I hope he will live on in my wardrobe
4. Kieth Folk-  Groundball back to Folk…
5. Bronson Arroyo- Fan Favorite and my friend Peter had his Jersey growing up so I have faith it will come back around 

Here are list of players who I will be shocked if I find their shirt

1. Billy Mueller – Won the batting title in 03, got the hit off Rivera in game 4. Not sure if his issues with the players association are the reasons why I never see his shirt, also the reason he was never in MVP Baseball
2. Pokey Reese- Made the last play the ALCS and is pretty well loved in Red Sox history but still, it’s Pokey Reese
3. Orlando Cabrera- He was only on the team for half a season so finding his shirt will be rough
4. Mike Timlin and Alan Embree- I always lump these two together. Maybe I’ll find their shirts next to each other…
5. Doug Mientkiewictz- The greatest defensive replacement of all time
6. Doug Mirabelli- If I find this one I’ll take a police escort to Fenway Park 
7. Mark Bellhorn- Nobody would be caught dead in a Bellhorn shirt
8. Byung Hyum Kim- I’ll wear this shirt and eat submarine sandwiches 

In my opinion, these are all of the contributing members. I know there are the Lenny Dinardos and Curtis Leskanics of the world but let us be honest these shirts do not exist. 

So here is the challenge. I usually thrift once every 1-2 weeks so I will be updating you as we go.