01:00 AM EST on Thursday, February 5, 2004

BOSTON -- The Jimmy Fund is $23,600 richer today, thanks to a group of the Red Sox' most rabid fans.

Members of the Internet bulletin board Sons of Sam Horn -- which bills itself as "dedicated to the discussion of all things Red Sox" -- yesterday presented a check in that amount to the Jimmy Fund in a ceremony at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The money was raised through contributions by more than 300 Sons of Sam Horn members as a tribute to the 2003 Red Sox, who won the American League wild-card berth and advanced to the A.L. Championship Series.

The group had planned to raise money to buy a newspaper ad, saluting the team for its great season. But Red Sox owner John Henry, a SOSH contributor, suggested making a contribution to the Jimmy Fund, which raises money for children's cancer research. The Red Sox have been affiliated with the Jimmy Fund for more than 50 years.

SOSH collected the money in a November/December online fundraiser.

Three of the board's moderators -- Eric Christensen, Andrew Wright and Mike Nyland-Funke -- took part in the ceremony. The Red Sox were represented by outfielder Johnny Damon, hitting coach Ron Jackson and Dr. Charles Steinberg, the team's executive vice president for public affairs. The team's mascot, Wally The Green Monster, was also present, visiting patients with Damon and Jackson.

-- ART MARTONE