In a move that could ignite a civil war between Red Sox Nation and the United States of America, a Boston city councilor wants to replace Fenway’s famed Citgo sign with Old Glory to show a world leader that he’s the real “el diablo.”

Allston-Brighton City Councilor Jerry P. McDermott wants the Hub to fire back at Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for calling President Bush “the devil” at the United Nations on Wednesday. His modest proposal: removing Kenmore Square’s famed Citgo sign, which is owned by Citgo Oil, a Venezuelan subsidiary.



“Given the hatred of the United States displayed by dictator Hugo Chavez, it would be more fitting to see an American flag when you drive through Kenmore Square,” said McDermott, who yesterday filed a resolution with the city clerk to have the sign removed. “I think people would soon forget the Citgo sign.”

Not so fast, said some members of Red Sox Nation.

“The sign is an icon,” said U.S. Rep. William D. Delahunt (D-Quincy), who has supported American relations with Chavez in the past, but slammed him for his recent remarks about Bush. “A resolution condemning the comments of Hugo Chavez would be more appropriate.”

“We leave the politics to the politicians,” said Citgo spokesman David McCollum, who noted Citgo retail stations, which are independently owned and operated, don’t necessarily even sell gas from Citgo refineries.

Citgo attempted to dismantle the “neon god” in 1983, but abandoned the plan under protests from the city. Last year, Citgo paid about $1 million to refurbish the sign by replacing the neon bulbs with brighter LEDS, a company spokesman said.

The Citgo-owned sign sits atop a Boston University building and is permitted for display by the city. A Red Sox spokesman declined to comment on McDermott’s proposal, which goes before the City Council next week.

“He’s just looking for a name for himself,” said Marty Foley, 61, a Hingham electrician who has taken care of the sign since 1965. “The Citgo Corp. keeps a lot of Americans working.”

Given Venuzuela’s warm diplomatic relations with the likes of Iran, McDermott’s resolution even had the Fenway faithful wondering whether to root against the sign.

“They (Venezuela) are playing footsie with Iran. Words do one thing, but Iran is a dangerous country,” says Peter Garmley of Natick, who once climbed the Citgo sign. “It’s an icon, but I’m a little on the fence, because I think you should invest in what you believe in.”

By Laura Crimaldi and Renee Nadeau
Friday, September 22, 2006