I think I was one of the few people who had no problem whatsoever with Ben Affleck being a fixture in those Sox-dugout-sidecar seats during the 2004 season. For one thing, the dude typically brought Jennifer Garner with him — always good for bonus points. For another, unlike a lot of these celebs who wander into the ballpark like they got lost on the way to Ruth’s Chris Steak House, the guy seemed every bit the beer-pounding, fist-pumping, Posada-taunting nutjob that I become when I watch the Sox. Only, of course, he’s got millions and has seen J-Lo naked. But still.
This season, his cohort, Matt Damon, has been carrying the banner. First there was that now-classic appearance in a Sox jersey on Letterman. Then the gig narrating the Sox’ World Series DVDs. Now a most excellent interview with Edes in today’s Globe, in which the actor reveals who he’d play in the movie version of the 2007 season:
“I guess [Dustin] Pedroia,” he said. “What I love about him is how he gives everything he’s got, on every play, every swing.”
Damon also details the lengths he went to in order to see the 2004 ALCS while filming Syriana in Europe:
“There were a number of nights I sat up all night watching games,” he said. “The games started at 2. When we beat the Yankees in Game 7, I was in Geneva watching MLB.com on literally an inch-and-a-half computer screen from 2 to 7 in the morning. Then I went to work.”
But there was no way he was sticking around in Switzerland for the Series.
“[George] Clooney was the producer,” Damon said. “I’d never missed a rehearsal or anything, but I called him and said, ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t be here. You’re going to have to make plans to shoot some other stuff.’
“He said, ‘I already have.’
“I just managed to get back. I watched the games from my living room. I got home during the first game, and when we won, I knew I couldn’t leave that spot. I watched by myself.”
Telling George Clooney, “screw you, I’m watching the Red Sox?” Nicely done, guy. Also, it’s nice to know I wasn’t the only dude calling in sick during that fateful stretch.
Meanwhile, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants has made its pitch to Johann Santana. Let the games begin!
