With thousands of fans screaming their hearts out, a caravan carrying Red Sox players rolled through the streets of Boston today in a celebration of the team's second World Series victory in four years.
"This is just incredible. Two championships. It's hard to even imagine it," said David Charleau, 35, of Everett, who was holding his 2-year-old son, Matthew, on his shoulders along the crowded parade route near Boston Common.
The "rolling rally" to mark the Red Sox sweep of the Colorado Rockies included about two dozen duck boats -- amphibious vehicles used for tours of the city -- that spewed red, white, and blue confetti.
It took about two hours for the caravan to make its way along the route from Fenway Park to City Hall, as players and their families, coaches, executives, and other members of the Red Sox organization waved to a wildly cheering crowd.
The Sox completed their sweep of the Rockies with a 4-3 victory on Sunday in Denver. In 2004, the Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals, a victory that came after the team had suffered an 86-year championship drought, leading some to believe it was cursed.
In a day celebrating the team's indomitable pitching, the best save was made by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who stumbled coming off a stage but did not drop the World Series trophy.
Slugger Manny Ramirez used the public address system as the caravan rolled along to invite fans back to his house for free beer.
Catcher Jason Varitek held up a sign saying "Re-sign Lowell," echoing the concerns of some fans that the team might lose World Series MVP Mike Lowell, who is now a free agent.
Closer Jonathan Papelbon, who rode on a flatbed truck with fellow relievers Hideki Okajima and Mike Timlin, ignited a frenzy when he performed his trademark jig along the route.
At City Hall Plaza, all three pitchers capered to the music provided by the Dropkick Murphys band. And Papelbon, who had donned a red kilt, brandished a broom, symbolic of the Series sweep, as a guitar.
By 3:30 p.m., Boston police had arrested 18 people on disorderly conduct charges. Details were not immediately available.
Fans vying for spaces along the parade route had to endure cool temperatures early in the morning, but by midday the temperature neared 60 and the sky was clear.
First baseman Kevin Youkilis, taking a mike from a broadcaster on the street, echoed the sentiment of every member of Red Sox Nation, saying, "We hope we can do this every year."
After the rolling rally ended, the players returned to Fenway Park, where they were met by more fans before they headed home.
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