BANGOR – The wind was whipping the new-fallen snow all around the Bass Park grounds and temperatures were bone-chilling at best, but inside the Bangor Civic Center Tuesday night, thoughts were on spring, summer, baseball, pennants and the elusive World Series ring.

Bangor all-sports station WZON couldn’t have picked a better night for its first-ever hot stove evening with Jerry Trupiano and Joe Castiglione. About 250 fans filled the seats to listen to the Boston Red Sox radio duo’s anecdotes, stories, and thoughts on previous Sox seasons, players and personnel as well as a preview of the upcoming season.

The evening began with a brief intro of the Sox radio partners, complete with a rebroadcast of some of their signature calls: the familiar “Waaaaayyyyyyyyy back” of Trupiano and a replay of Castiglione’s call of the final out in Derek Lowe’s perfect game.

“Thank you for not using the call of the Aaron Boone home run,” Castiglione said as the crowd laughed. “I sounded like the guy doing the Hindenburg broadcast.”

Tuesday’s event was a first for everyone involved, including Castiglione, who has been one-half of Red Sox radio’s voice for the past 21 seasons, and Trupiano, who has been Castiglione’s partner for the last 11 years.

After the Sox duo was presented with city council proclamations and Senior League World Series caps and shirts by Bangor Mayor Dan Tremble, Portland Sea Dogs caps by Dogs radio announcer Todd Jamison, and Bangor Lumberjacks caps by ‘Jacks general manager Curt Jacey, it was time to get down to business.

“So – As so many people have said to me, and I’m sure the both of you this offseason – what do you think?” WZON program director Dale Duff asked both announcers about the on-and-off Alex Rodriguez trading soap opera.

“Nomar [Garciaparra] will stay, with maybe A-Rod coming next year,” Castiglione answered.

“Maybe we ought to call Pete Rose and see what the odds are,” Trupiano cracked before the crowd roared in laughter. “I think it’s dead.”

From there, it was analysis of the shocking end of Boston’s 2003 season in between outtakes of Castiglione’s call of Grady Little’s decision to leave Pedro Martinez on the mound and both announcers’ calls of the Sox-Yankees brawl in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

“It was D?j? vu of the worst kind,” Castiglione said.

“I had a feeling something bad was going to happen,” added Trupiano.

It was on to offseason changes after that and both announcers admitted being excited by the additions of Curt Schilling, Keith Foulke, and Pokey Reese.

Duff then gave way to WZON announcer Rich Kimball, who played some examples of the amusing banter between Castiglione and Trupiano before asking them about their broadcasting approaches and getting them to share some stories.

When asked how they maintain their enthusiasm for the game over a 162-game season, Trupiano put things in perspective.

“It’s not hard at all. It’s a privilege to have a job like this, especially in New England,” he said.

“You never know as you go to the ballpark what you’re going to see,” Castiglione said.

Castiglione then recounted getting robbed at shotgun point in Kansas City, spilling an entire bottle of Wite Out on himself during a broadcast, and how many managers he’s seen come and go at Fenway Park.

Both then picked their favorite cities – Chicago, Kansas City (Trupiano picked that one), Tampa Bay and Baltimore among others – and ballpark food (Yankee Stadium and Fenway). Trupiano pegged Oakland with the worst food fare.

WZON announcer Jim Churchill then took the mike and asked the pair about notable Red Sox figures such as:

. Roger Clemens (“He was a good guy who just couldn’t always say what he wanted to say the right way. – Castiglione);

. Dan Duquette (“I consider him a friend and he’s very personable, but his shortcomings were his treatment of players.” – Castiglione);

. Carl Everett (“He’s a very talented player, but he’s too explosive to have on your team.” – Trupiano);

. Manny Ramirez (“He’s not a bad guy, but he just loses interest occasionally.” – Trupiano.)

After that, it was turned over to the audience, who asked about everything from “The Curse of the Bambino” to the future of Fenway to the allure of baseball to interleague play to the freedom to call game action as they see fit.

One of the more offbeat yet intriguing questions came from Carey of Bangor.

“What would we do if we win?” he asked.

“I would certainly like to find out,” Castiglione said simply.

On the way out, attendees were once again reminded of the season as wind caught the door and almost yanked it out of people’s hands, but there was yet one more positive sign in the parking lot: a family van with a “B REDSOX” license vanity plate.

“It’s only 38 days to spring training,” Castiglione said. “March 4th is our first broadcast …. Play ball.”