Thousands rally at City Hall to launch Red Sox into playoffs

Red Sox fans who missed a rowdy champagne-soaked celebration Friday night at Fenway when their team became division champs, turned out thousands strong hoping to see their favorite players yesterday.

At the City Hall Plaza rally Norwood resident Nelson Zapata, 44, revved up fellow fans in a red, white and blue face mask and a New England Patriot's hat with matching dreadlocks.

"I biked here from Norwood," Zapata said, rarely keeping both feet on the ground. "It's never too far."

"Boston's going all the way. We got it this yeeaaaar," he screamed.

Ellie Groezinger, 72, said she came to the rally for her brother, a faithful Red Sox fan who died of cancer shortly before the team's 2004 World Series win.

"When my brother died I promised I'm going to watch every game from now on for him. When they won the series people were cheering, but I was crying" said the Quincy resident, who like many fans, is emotionally invested in the team's victories.

Local bands like the Boston-based Dropkick Murphys, encouraged the dancing crowd to insert "Yankees suck", "Red Sox" and "Fenway" into the songs whenever possible.

But Pitcher Jonathan Papelbon's triumphant dance moves Friday night were the topic of conversation for his fans, teammates, and coaches.

"I try to lead Papelbon as much as I can, but that's what happens when you don't have any guide rails. He tore it up out there and that's what he does every time he takes the mound," said veteran pitcher Mike Timlin of his spandex-wearing teammate's unexpected choreography.

The bullpen came out strong with Timlin, Papelbon, Clay Buchholz, Javier Lopez and Kyle Snyder all making appearances.

"The most special thing for me was sitting back in the clubhouse with a cigar and a bottle of champagne and then watching it spill onto the field where you loyal fans remained and then watching Papelbon dance across the infield," Manager Terry Francona told the crowd.

Francona thanked the fans, saying "I bet nobody had to recruit you to come out here."

Quincy mom Kelly Defelice brought her daughter Alana, 3, to the rally to take photographs to send to her husband, who is serving National Guard duty in Iraq.

"I like them all, I'd be happy to see any of them," Defelice said. "Her favorite player is Papi (David Ortiz), I think because she can say his name the best."

Mathew Wilson of Framingham believes a few key elements will help the team clench another World Series title.

"We'll do well as long as the starting pitchers help us out and we get clutch hitting from Papi and players like Mike Lowell," he said.

But any reservations or anxiety fans may have about the post-season gave way to screams and anticipation when Papelbon vowed, "I promise to every single one of you that if we win the World Series I will dance all night long."

MetroWest (Mass.) Daily News staff writer Lindsey Parietti can be reached at lindsey.parietti@cnc.com.