AUGUSTA – Gov. John E. Baldacci offered congratulations Monday night to the Boston Red Sox for winning the 2007 World Series.

“Congratulations to the players and the fans of Red Sox Nation,” Baldacci said in a press release. “The Red Sox displayed a tremendous effort to once again come from behind in the American League Championship Series and prevail in the World Series. Waiting 86 years was too long for a World Series title in Boston and New England. I join with other Red Sox fans throughout Maine celebrating the Sox’s second World Series title in four years and I look forward to once again welcoming the World Series trophy to Maine.”

Baldacci spoke with Red Sox President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Lucchino Monday evening by phone while on a trade mission in South Korea. Baldacci also sent a letter to the team’s front office earlier in the day inviting them to tour Maine with the World Series trophy, as they did in 2004.

“Mr. Lucchino said that he is very proud of the team and all of the fans in Maine,” Baldacci said. “Mr. Lucchino told me that he is looking forward to the prospect of the World Series trophy tour in Maine and throughout New England.”

Baldacci said that this championship is particularly special to Maine because of the Portland Sea Dogs connection. Several ex-Portland Sea Dogs players were on the Red Sox World Series roster, including Josh Beckett, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester and Jonathan Papelbon.