LEFTOVERS: Ad shows Red Sox’s true colors

Many teams will take out an ad in a local newspaper after they win a championship, thanking the fans for their support.

But the Boston Red Sox did something different. They took out an ad in a paper of the opponent’s town to thank its fans.

In the aftermath of their World Series win over the St. Louis Cardinals, the Red Sox took out a full-page ad in Tuesday’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch, thanking the city for a good contest.

“From one great baseball town to another,” the ad reads. “On behalf of our partners and the entire Red Sox organization, thank you St. Louis. The warm Midwestern welcome you extended to our team and our fans during this year’s hard-fought World Series is truly appreciated. Your region, its people, and the entire Cardinals organization represent everything that’s great about baseball.

“We share the same colors and rich, storied baseball history that stretches from Musial and Williams, to Molina and Pedroia. We’re both home to the most loyal, passionate fans in the game. And the four World Series in which we’ve gone head-to-head are still etched in the memories of those who love our sport.

“So we tip our hats to each and every one of you. We look forward to seeing you again next August. Let’s hope that it’s just a prelude to meeting again in October.”

The letter is signed by Red Sox principal owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner and president Larry Lucchino.

Even the most die-hard Yankees fan would have to admit that’s a classy move.

■ THE DEVIL, YOU SAY? — A Kentucky high school cross country runner’s season ended prematurely after she refused to compete after being assigned bib No. 666 at a regional meet.

Whitley County High School junior Codie Thacker said wearing the number that many Christians believe represents the beast, the devil or the Antichrist goes against her religious beliefs. She tried to get officials to change her number, but they refused.

“I didn’t want to risk my relationship with God and try to take that number,” Thacker told WLEX-TV in Lexington, Ky.

A representative of Kentucky High School Athletic Association said it wasn’t brought to their attention that the request was because of religious beliefs, adding that if they knew, they would have changed the number.

Hopefully Thacker won’t object if she’s assigned No. 13 for next year’s regional meet.

■ MASCOT VIOLENCE — Once again, we’re seeing sports mascots getting into altercations. But this time, it’s not mascot-on-mascot violence.

In Victoria, B.C., a fan participating in a between-periods promotion during a junior league hockey game Saturday went Ogie Oglethorpe on the Victoria Royals’ mascot.

“Marty the Marmot” was overseeing a game of musical chairs on the ice when things got out of hand. A male participant in the stunt had one of the inflatable chairs pulled away from him by the mascot toward a female participant. He then picked up Marty and body-slammed him to the ice and then dragged him along the ice before leaving to a chorus of boos.

The Victoria police are investigating the matter.

COMPILED BY STEVE CARP LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL