Red Sox Welcome Back Dave Roberts

In 2004, Dave Roberts was made famous in Boston for the "stolen base heard 'round the world." He helped begin the surge that was the best comeback in professional sports history. On Monday, Red Sox fans will welcome Roberts' return to Boston.

When Roberts stole second base against the New Work Yankees in 2004, he forever cemented his place in Boston history. On June 15, 2007, Roberts, as a San Francisco Giant, returned to Fenway Park for the first time as a player since 2004. He received a standing ovation every time he came up to bat.

But in 2009, Roberts will not be patrolling center field in relief of Ellsbury or trading tips on swiping second. The New England Sports Network (NESN) announced late last week that Roberts will join the network to serve as a studio analyst.

Roberts is not expected to fill in for the recently absent Jerry Remy for games with Don Orsillo, but will be in studio for pre- and post-game shows. Dennis Eckersley is expected to join Don Orsillo for broadcasts until Remy returns from his current health issues.

Fans of Bill Simmons may have heard Roberts providing colorful analysis, as he has appeared on Simmons' podcasts following his retirement from Major League Baseball.

""Maury Wills once told me that there will come a point in my career when everyone in the ballpark will know that I have to steal a base, and I will steal that base. When I got out there, I knew that was what Maury Wills was talking about." -Dave Roberts"

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Darryl Johnston is the Red Sox correspondent for Fanball.com. He has many years of sports writing under his championship belts. Email him - [e-mail]