Sept. 28, 2004
Oh, did I meet a sports fan on Monday night! Ed Schoewe of Chicago, like many of you, is a big admirer of sports.

He was the recent winner of our Dick Vitale online trivia contest, earning a trip here to Florida to spend a couple of days and enjoy several prizes. Ed and his nephews, Chris and Eric, joined my wife and I for a night at the ballpark as we watched the Boston Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. It was special, since Boston clinched a playoff berth with a win at Tropicana Field. Then came a jubilant celebration -- we got a big kick seeing Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez hug right near the entrance of the dugout!

	Contest winner Ed Schoewe (right) and Dickie V met the Devil Rays mascot at Tropicana Field. Boston beat the D-Rays to clinch a playoff spot.

You could see the intensity and emotion of the Red Sox.

It was great to spend time with people who loved the game. Ed is a big Chicago Cubs fan, and he checked the scoreboard regularly to keep up with the playoff race. He was thrilled when he got a phone call from his brother Tom, who told him Nomar Garciaparra was 3-for-3.

Ed turned to the Red Sox dugout and thanked them for sending the shortstop to the Windy City!

Ed and his nephews really knew their sports. Chris is a senior at St. John's University and works in the school's athletic department on occasion. He brought his Manny Ramirez jersey and really enjoyed the game. The guys received some goodies from the Devil Rays, and Ed received a surprise when he saw his name on the message board, welcoming him!

It was a grand night for everyone except the Devil Rays, who got a raw deal when pitcher Scott Kazmir was ejected in the fourth inning for hitting two batters -- Ramirez and Kevin Millar. Kazmir had not allowed a hit and had six strikeouts at that point. Oh well, it was still a great night.

By the way, Ed is a loyal DePaul basketball supporter and season-ticket holder. He can't wait for coach Dave Leitao's team to get started! Ed's love for legendary DePaul coach Ray Meyer is special.

My buddy Howie Schwab of the ESPN show "Stump the Schwab" knows his stuff, but he would have a challenge against Ed in Blue Demon trivia, baby! The guy knows every in-and-out secret about DePaul.

On Tuesday, it was a trip to the beaches of Siesta Key, followed by dinner with my family at St. Armand's Circle. Ed and Co. are having a blast staying at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton.

It's been a great time for some beautiful people. Remember, fans are what sports are all about, baby!

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.