Hero's Welcome

   Where do you go when you reverse the "curse" ... to Disney World, of course! Today Walt Disney World painted the Magic Kingdom red — as in Red Sox — to celebrate the World Champion Boston Red Sox, just one day after the team's historic World Series sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. Curt Schilling got a hero's welcome with a Champions' Parade down Main Street U.S.A., as Mickey Mouse and all his 'toon pals joined thousands of fans cheering the Red Sox on their long-awaited victory.
   Wednesday's 3-0 victory over the National League champs delivered the Red Sox their first World Series championship since 1918, and broke the legendary "Curse of the Bambino" — placed on the team, legend holds, in 1920 when it sold "Babe" Ruth's contract to the New York Yankees.
   Immediately following Wednesday's World Series-clinching game, pitchers Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez and designated hitter/first baseman David Ortiz looked into television cameras and beamed the famous words "I'm going to Disney World!" — becoming the latest sporting champions to be honored as spokespeople in the world-famous Disney commercial.
   Since the New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms first uttered those now-famous words following the Super Bowl in 1987, 35 of the famous commercials have aired and featured some of the world's best athletes including Michael Jordan, Emmitt Smith, John Elway, Jerry Rice, Patrick Roy, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds and Joe Montana. | Boston Red Sox Win World Series | The Curse of the Bambino |