Where: Boston, Massachusetts
When: August 27, 2016
With: Dave, Krista & friends
Ok, this post is difficult to write. You see, I am a New York Yankees fan, and the biggest rival to the Yankees are the Boston Red Sox. Now while I really enjoy baseball, I've always been at odds with myself on seeing a game at the infamous Fenway Park. On one hand, it's like a living museum to the days of good ol' classic baseball. On the other, Red Sox fans drive me up a wall to a point I'd never thought I could even begin to enjoy a game there.
Back in 2006 was the first time I breached the threshold of this legendary ball park for a Dave Matthews Band concert. It seemed like a win-win: see Fenway, but don't have to deal with their annoying fans.
I couldn't have been more wrong. While I did thoroughly enjoy the smaller stadium with its old wooden seats and open floor plan, about halfway through the concert, a chant of "Yankees suck" erupted. Seriously? It's a concert! To me, it was that old chip in the Red Sox shoulder that annoys me most about Red Sox fans. I'm convinced they hate the Yankees more than they love their own team some times.
ANYWAY, I didn't count this as a true Fenway Park experience because, well, you can't call it that if there wasn't any baseball involved (only the obnoxious heckling). So I knew another trip had to happen. Luckily, as part of my cousin Krista's wedding weekend, she planned a trip to a Red Sox game, which removed the need for me to have an internal battle as to whether I should finally suck it up and go.
Not only did we go to a game, but we stayed at the Hotel Commonwealth, the "official hotel of the Red Sox" (groan). The hotel sat right behind the stadium and in front of the infamous Citgo sign that seems to be attached to the skyline of Fenway. We pregamed right next to the stadium, entered along Yawkee Way, and got to see the Boston fans in their true element. And wow, those people do not look like they should be messed with.
We had tickets up in the Budweiser pavilion, an open area over right field with access to food and drinks, looking down on the stadium.
We got our obligatory pictures with the Green Monster (the very large wall in left field that makes homeruns a rarity) and I had a silent protest in my blue and white striped shirt (it really isn't safe to wear Yankees gear to a Red Sox game).
Well, thankfully, I'd like to report that the tensions seem to have died down now that the Red Sox have truly reversed the curse and won a couple more World Series titles. It was also a beautiful night that helped me to enjoy the experience. I did appreciate hearing the thick Boston accents around me, and you can't help but enjoy hearing "Shipping Out to Boston" on the loudspeakers. I even sang along when they sang "Sweet Caroline", a Red Sox favorite after the 7th inning stretch.
When: August 27, 2016
With: Dave, Krista & friends
Ok, this post is difficult to write. You see, I am a New York Yankees fan, and the biggest rival to the Yankees are the Boston Red Sox. Now while I really enjoy baseball, I've always been at odds with myself on seeing a game at the infamous Fenway Park. On one hand, it's like a living museum to the days of good ol' classic baseball. On the other, Red Sox fans drive me up a wall to a point I'd never thought I could even begin to enjoy a game there.
Back in 2006 was the first time I breached the threshold of this legendary ball park for a Dave Matthews Band concert. It seemed like a win-win: see Fenway, but don't have to deal with their annoying fans.
I couldn't have been more wrong. While I did thoroughly enjoy the smaller stadium with its old wooden seats and open floor plan, about halfway through the concert, a chant of "Yankees suck" erupted. Seriously? It's a concert! To me, it was that old chip in the Red Sox shoulder that annoys me most about Red Sox fans. I'm convinced they hate the Yankees more than they love their own team some times.
ANYWAY, I didn't count this as a true Fenway Park experience because, well, you can't call it that if there wasn't any baseball involved (only the obnoxious heckling). So I knew another trip had to happen. Luckily, as part of my cousin Krista's wedding weekend, she planned a trip to a Red Sox game, which removed the need for me to have an internal battle as to whether I should finally suck it up and go.
Not only did we go to a game, but we stayed at the Hotel Commonwealth, the "official hotel of the Red Sox" (groan). The hotel sat right behind the stadium and in front of the infamous Citgo sign that seems to be attached to the skyline of Fenway. We pregamed right next to the stadium, entered along Yawkee Way, and got to see the Boston fans in their true element. And wow, those people do not look like they should be messed with.
We had tickets up in the Budweiser pavilion, an open area over right field with access to food and drinks, looking down on the stadium.
We got our obligatory pictures with the Green Monster (the very large wall in left field that makes homeruns a rarity) and I had a silent protest in my blue and white striped shirt (it really isn't safe to wear Yankees gear to a Red Sox game).
Well, thankfully, I'd like to report that the tensions seem to have died down now that the Red Sox have truly reversed the curse and won a couple more World Series titles. It was also a beautiful night that helped me to enjoy the experience. I did appreciate hearing the thick Boston accents around me, and you can't help but enjoy hearing "Shipping Out to Boston" on the loudspeakers. I even sang along when they sang "Sweet Caroline", a Red Sox favorite after the 7th inning stretch.
While my Yankee pride remains, I did enjoy the night. Don't tell anyone. It was all for you, Krista!
No comments:
Post a Comment