Russell Nua, Red Sox secret weapon

[InstaFace]

A great MLB.com article on a guy with 5 WS championship rings (4 of them with the Sox), who you've never heard of. And it involves a funny Manny Ramirez story!

https://www.mlb.com/news/russell-nua-massage-therapist-world-series-rings

He was brought around with the Diamondbacks in 2001, and came to Boston via Curt Schilling. Was with us for our 4 titles this century. It's unclear if he was ever officially hired by a team, or rather just paid by the players. And unless you read the Milford Daily News in 2005, you've probably never heard him mentioned.

More quotes from him (or about him) can be found in this 2019 Arizona article, and this 2020 SI video.

Russell got an apartment in Mesa, Ariz., and since Georgia was still teaching, she and their son would drive to Arizona on long weekends and after school ended in the summer. He worked for the Diamondbacks from 2000-04, including during their World Series season in 2001.

“These players I used to work with, in Arizona, they went to other teams," he said. "Schilling went to the Red Sox and Randy Johnson went to New York (Yankees). They called me up and they wanted me to come. Randy wanted me to come to New York, Curt wanted me to come to Boston.”

The Diamondbacks didn't make the postseason in 2004, but the Red Sox did and started their opening series in Anaheim.

"Curt Schilling was hurt,” Georgia said. “He called up my husband and he said, ‘I need you – I’ll pay for everything – meet me in Anaheim.’ And the Arizona Diamondbacks season was over. They weren’t going anywhere, so the day after the season ended, he flew to Anaheim. That’s how it started.”

Guy's living the dream, a dream all of us who lack elite baseball talent but love baseball would probably like to have.

 

[LogansDad]

Excellent story, thank you for posting.

 

[Reverse Curve]

I remember seeing him on the field a few times during team intros, wondering who the older guy with the long white ponytail was, and heading straight down the Google rabbit hole. I'd forgotten about him, so really appreciate this great read, thanks!