AUGUSTA (AP) – The world champion Boston Red Sox will be coming to Portland next Wednesday to celebrate their victory with their Maine fans, Gov. John Baldacci said Thursday as he prepared to issue a proclamation honoring the team.

Baldacci said he received confirmation from the Red Sox organization that members of the team will visit Portland at 3 p.m. the day after the election.

Baldacci said his proclamation will declare all next week Boston Red Sox week in Maine.

“All week because it’s been 86 years,” said Baldacci, “so we have to have the entire week to reflect upon it … I think it will probably take a little bit longer but at least a week will give us a good beginning.”

The governor said he watched Wednesday night’s 3-0 clincher against the St. Louis Cardinals, right up to the last out.

“We couldn’t believe until we saw it with our own eyes. We saw history in the making,” said Baldacci, who noted that the game coincided with the lunar eclipse.

“It’s like all the planets were in the right orbit,” Baldacci said.

U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe said the Red Sox ultimate victory was all about working toward a common goal.

“After 86 years, loyal diehard Red Sox fans can celebrate a World Series Championship,” the Maine Republican said.

“Decade after decade, generations of Mainers have invested their baseball hopes and dreams in the fortunes of the Red Sox. Today, Maine, New England, and members of the Red Sox Nation everywhere can bask in the glow of this ultimate victory,” Snowe said.

AP-ES-10-28-04 1624EDT