The Boston Red Sox have not forgotten Nomar Garciaparra.

Reports said the team voted a full playoff share to its former shortstop, who was traded to the Chicago Cubs in a deal that helped spark Boston's resurgence this season.

"I voted him to have a full share because he was a big part of us getting to the point we got," said pitcher Tim Wakefield, the team's longest-tenured player and its former union representative. "And I think he deserves it."

The five-time All-Star was one of the best players in Red Sox history, but was hurt by the team's attempts to trade him for Alex Rodriguez last offseason. When the deal fell through, Garciaparra remained in Boston.

He was sent to Chicago on July 31 for former Gold Glove winners Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz. The Red Sox responded with improved defense that led them to the best record in baseball the rest of the way.

NEW ENGLAND NEMESIS: St. Louis teams have been bedeviled by Boston for years.

The last time a pro team from St. Louis made it to the championship round in football, hockey and basketball, it lost to a squad from Boston. The Red Sox were trying to extend that streak to baseball on Wednesday night.

"I'm very, very sick of them. You just want to scream," said Marianne Sutter, a St. Louis fan who roots for the hometown Cardinals, Rams and Blues. "They're definitely a thorn in our side."

The St. Louis Rams were favored by more than two touchdowns against New England in the 2002 Super Bowl, but the Patriots pulled off a 20-17 upset on Adam Vinatieri's last-second field goal from 48 yards out.

The Boston Bruins swept the Blues in the 1970 Stanley Cup finals, clinching their first title in 29 years when Hall of Fame defenseman Bobby Orr scored in overtime of Game 4. The play was captured in a famous photo of Orr flying through the air after his dramatic goal.

Even when St. Louis had professional basketball, Boston tormented the Gateway City. The St. Louis Hawks faced Bill Russell's Celtics in the championship series four times from 1957-61. The Hawks' only title came in '58. A decade later, they moved to Atlanta.

With the baseball season winding down and a lockout keeping the NHL on ice, St. Louis fans will soon turn their full attention to the Rams. Next up on the NFL schedule? The Patriots.

SILENT TREATMENT: Barry Bonds attended Game 4 of the World Series but refused to answer questions about a report that a tape recording alleges he used performance-enhancing drugs last year.