The long Red Sox nightmare has finally ended

Thank the Lord. The most ridiculous story of baseball's off season has finally come to a ridiculous close.

With only a few fans watching and Fleury guarding his back, Wynott carried the ball in a black canvas bag and walked the 200-foot red carpet to an escalator that took him to the Hall of Fame Club inside Fenway where team president Larry Lucchino waited eagerly.

"You've got something for us, I think," Lucchino said with a smile.

He signed a pink receipt, held the small carton and sliced it open with a knife. He dumped out the styrofoam peanuts (no Cracker Jacks), removed the bubble wrap and clutched the prize enclosed in a clear plastic cube.

11 days, 57 minutes until Yankee pitchers and catchers report.