Beckett Bowl includes A-list invites
MALDEN, Mass. -- Just as the inaugural Beckett Bowl was set to begin, inside a venue 10 miles north of Fenway Park in Malden, the event emcee climbed upon a raised platform, holding a microphone.
"The celebrities will all be here very, very soon," he said, chalking up the late arrivals to rush-hour traffic.
Scattered about him were the host, Josh Beckett, fellow Boston sports luminaries David Ortiz of the Red Sox and Zdeno Chara of the Bruins, and never-forgotten stars Mike Eruzione of the 1980 U.S. gold medal hockey team and Bill "The Spaceman" Lee. Also in the crowd stood celebrity chef Todd English and several other Red Sox, along with Adalius Thomas and many members of the New England Patriots.
The place was not wanting for celebrities. The crowd had its fill of them later in the night, beginning with Adrian Grenier of HBO's "Entourage" and a whole raft of Boston Celtics, including Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Glen "Big Baby" Davis.
With a healthy guest list filling all 48 lanes of Town Line Ten Pin, the charity bowling tournament looked well on its way toward meeting Beckett's stated goal of $1 million raised over the next three years. The money will go to the recenlty created Josh Beckett Foundation, which supports "community-based programs that strive to improve the health and well-being of children, especially children that are seriously ill, disabled, poor or otherwise disadvantaged."
Contributions from Thursday night's event, Beckett said, will go to Children's Hospital Boston.
"It's nice to set goals and stuff like that on the field," Beckett said. "But to be able to help off the field is a big thing to me."
Beckett said he was especially touched by the ranks of fellow pro athletes who planned to attend. They included Jason Varitek, Jon Lester, Royce Clayton, Julio Lugo, Javier Lopez, Kyle Snyder, Jonathan Papelbon and Ortiz of the Red Sox; Pierce, Allen, Glen Davis and Leon Powe of the Celtics; Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Andrew Ference, Phil Kessel and Marc Savard of the Bruins; and many current and former Patriots.
"One way or the other, we're all in this thing together," said Beckett of his fellow athletes. "Especially when it comes to charities. ... It just says a lot about the character of the guys on those other teams."
Also highlighting the guest list: NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., fashion designer Joseph Abboud, actors Dane Cook, Jason Biggs and Grenier (and Grenier's band, Honey Brothers, which headlined an after-party), "Survivor" All-Stars Rob and Amber Mariano and local media favorites Hazel Mae and Steve Sweeney.
"We can raise a lot of money with just our names," Beckett said. "And that's a special thing."
The evening led off with a red carpet event. Media and fans gathered in the parking lot of Town Line Ten Pin, pop music in the background. Varitek was the first arrival. Squinting into the sun, the Red Sox catcher posed for photographers, then answered questions for the TV cameras about his bowling prowess.
"Shoes? I go with rentals," Varitek said. "Rental shoes and rental balls. That should tell you how my game is."
Later, English hit the scene. The local restaurateur, TV star and 2001 honoree of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People issue became distracted when Ortiz arrived behind him on the red carpet, wearing a patterned T-shirt, gold-rimmed shades and a wide smile, while simultaneously drawing all the attention in his direction.
"He's the man," English said.
Inside, guests sampled free food and drinks, bid on memorabilia at a silent auction, and began play. Celebrities intially filtered in inconspicuously, mingling with guests and media, only to have their cover blown by the emcee.
As the beat wore on -- and Timbaland's single, "The Way I Are," blared over the indoor speakers -- the bowlers were forced to endure loud play-by-play commentary of their every move.
"You can not hide talent!" roared the emcee. "You can not hide talent!"
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