Finally….Fenway

September 12, 2012    

Kathy, Kathy & Alex

Kathy

Michael

Finally….Fenway

Fenway Park, the iconic home of the Boston Red Sox is celebrating 100 years of baseball this season and in spite of years of talking about catching a game, I had never made a trip to the historic ball park. That may not be all that surprising since I am really not that much of a Red Sox fan, or even a baseball fan for that matter. I do however enjoy actually attending games and I was very interested in attending a game at Fenway. 

Kathy & Michael

What is surprising is that my wife Kathy, who grew up in nearby Marshfield had also somehow never been to a game at Fenway, possibly the only family member who had exhibited such neglect to what is considered a part of life for those who grow up in New England. It was almost sacrilegious to think that she had never set foot in the ballpark.

Kathy

This trip we finally decided we would make the time to get to a game and we joined Kathy’s Aunt Kathy and her cousin Alex (who kindly purchased the tickets for us) in going to see the Red Sox play the Toronto Blue Jays. You might have thought that since this year that the Sox have been pretty much terrible, that there would be a sparse crowd, but I was stunned to find that the place was pretty much jam packed with fans. They certainly are a supportive and somewhat rabid bunch of fans in Boston.

Like the Cubs game that we attended last summer at Wrigley Field, attendance at a Sox game at Fenway is so much more than just attending a game. It is an experience. From the masses of people gathering in bars located all throughout the neighborhood surrounding the ballpark, to the festive party-like atmosphere that imbues the area, it makes for a pretty special feeling- even for just another meaningless regular season day game.

Fenway Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest major league ballpark still in use today. Since opening in 1912, it has been the scene of hundreds of highs and lows and today maintains its quirky features, such as the Green Monster, the thirty-seven foot green painted left field wall. The game was as good as you could have expected. The Sox lost 4-3, but they lead most of the game and it came down to the last out before the game was decided. Close but no cigar for the Red Sox faithful.

We were just happy to experience a game at Fenway and to enjoy a good game and almost perfect weather, sunny and warm, but not too uncomfortable- especially since our seats were shaded most of the game. It was immensely enjoyable, as much for getting to spend some time with Alex and Kathy as to be at the game. Hopefully it won’t take so long for us to get back to Fenway to catch another game.

The remainder of our Massachusetts trip consisted of hanging out at the beach, swimming in the River, exploring the Marsh and visiting the beachside town of Humarock which is just up the beach from Kathy’s father. It was a relaxing, enjoyable couple of days where for once neither, Kathy or I had anyplace to be or any pressing business to attend to, which is a great change from our normal existence.

Marshfield is a beautiful quiet respite for us and we were thrilled to be back and to have the opportunity to rest, visit family and relax and catching a Sox game was an added bonus. Thanks Jim, Kathy, Al, Alex, Julie and everyone who made our visit such a pleasure, hopefully we can get back soon.