ongoing- Mon. Aug. 13

 It's no secret to readers of this space, that I'm a Red Sox fan. I wrote a piece about the '67 Sox for the Boston Phoenix before the season started; I've shared in a season ticket plan for a dozen-plus years. I root, root, root for the home team. For the record, I hate the 8th inning "Sweet Caroline" singalong - if only it were "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show!" And I hate the commercialism you see everywhere around the park. There's signage here, there and everywhere, and once upon a time - yeah, back in '67 - there was only the Jimmy Fund sign in right field. But we root for the guys who wear our laundry, whether that be Keith Foulke (rat bastard, who upbraided me for interviewing him while he was eating a hot dog at the 2004 World Series private party) or Manny Ramirez (who inspires so many mixed emotions). At any rate, the Red Sox do a lot of charity work and they've got a Green Monster Auction going for their Red Sox Foundation. It's on now through noon Monday August 13, where if you go to the website below, you can make a bid on several packages from 3-6 people. They all include: watching BP from the Monster, a picture of you atop the Monster with Wally (eech!) or the World Series Trophy (yes, I think so), autograph sessions with Sox legends who will visit during BP, and what they call great (!) food and drink: hot dogs, hamburgers and sausages and beer and wine through the 7th inning. Look, you know this package is going to run you some cash, but the game you get to see is the Red Sox-Angels, both teams currently (ahem) in first place in their respective divisions. The game is August 18, which happens to be the 40th anniversary of Tony Conigliaro's getting beaned by the Angels (!) Jack Hamilton and my birthday. Anyway, if you've got the funds, get out your wallets. It is tax deductable.

Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way, www.redsox.com