ESSEX, Vt. -- Bill Lee stared at the 6-year-old crowding his plate like he did at Johnny Bench doing the same thing more than 40 Octobers ago. At 69 years old, Lee's eyes are still wide. His hair still kicks wildly from underneath his cap. He's still wearing all red. And a Green Monster is again at his back.
But it's not Bench digging in against Lee, as he did during the 1975 World Series at the real Fenway. It's a child waving a plastic yellow bat. Lee is throwing WIFFLE balls. He kicks his leg high and hums a riseball under the kid's hands.