I am someone who was born and raised on Red Sox baseball, and one who thinks Ken Burns documentary on Baseball is the best documentary ever to be pumped out on film. So you can imagine, as a father, what it would be like to travel 2538 miles and go to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, with your son. Miles is far from a baseball historian yet, but growing up a Red Sox fan in St. Louis isn’t very easy, and somehow, someway, Miles understood and appreciated the opportunity to see the Sox play in Fenway Park, the oldest Baseball Stadium in country. After drawing comparisons to Jacoby Ellsbury and Jonathan Papelbon all season in Little League, he’d finally have the chance to see the Sox play in person. On a day that started with a visit to Plymouth Rock, and walking the Freedom Trail, this was our own pilgrimage of sorts!
We scored some really nice seats 7 rows up from the field, near the Red Sox on deck circle. (Thank You Terry McMahon!) Because parking is near impossible near Fenway, we did what seemingly the other 30,000+ did, which was take the Green Line. We arrived in time to see the Sox conclude their batting practice session, during which Miles was able to get Terry Francona’s autograph on a baseball. Later, Miles spotted “Wally the Green Monsta”, Red Sox Mascot on the field. He ran over 4 kids, and jumped over 2 families (1 Irish and 1 Italian), and he was able to get Wally to sign his ball as well.
The game started out fast as the Sox were playing KC and Eric Hosmer hit a 3 run homerun in the first inning off John Lackey. Miles learned quickly that the Boston accent applies even to the “F” word! However, when the Sox came up, we were treated as Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia led off the 1st inning with back to back homers. 2 autographs, 3 homers, and a couple Motha F’as in one inning! We were in for a great game!!
With hopes of getting a foul ball, Miles made it a mission to pester the ball boy, but I guess the recession is hitting everyone, as the ball boy kept recycling his baseballs and giving them back to the umpire. Finally in the 6th inning, Chris Getz fouled a pitch off his foot that rolled to John Lackey on the mound. Lackey tossed it to the ball boy, who held the ball and sat down. Miles pleaded with the bat boy, and with a little help from the crowd, finally the bat boy tossed him the ball, and Miles got his first official MLB game used ball!
Fenway Park Code of Conduct Rule #7 is “keep cell phone conversations private without gestures to attract attention”, and I had my moment! The kid in front of my seat held up a sign between innings, and as they put his image up on the scoreboard, I was in plain view right behind the kid talking to Heather on my cell phone. I’ve been to 100’s of ballgames, and I’ve never had my mug on the scoreboard display, and they had to catch me, while I was clearly violating Rule #7! That was my memorable Fenway First!!!
Big Papi hit a Grand Slam, we sang “Sweet Caroline” during the infamous 8th inning stretch, and watched the Red Sox win 12 to 5. After the game, we sardeened ourselves back into the Green Line and headed home.
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| 2 Tickets to see the Sox... Priceless!!!! |
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| Fenway is currently the oldest ballpark in the majors. |
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| Geared up and ready for a great game! |
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| The infamous Red Seat in the bleachers where the last ball Ted Williams ever hit landed. |
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| Score!!! Terry Francona's Autograph!!! |
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| That's Wally the Green Monsta, and those are Miles' fists as Wally signs his ball! |
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| Miles after getting Wally's autograph. |
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| On this swing, Jacoby Ellsbury lead off with a home run!!! |
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| YOOOOUUUUKKKKKK!!!!!! |
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| Miles get's his first game used ball!!!! |
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| Papi hits a Grand Slam!!!! |
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| Boooyaahhhhh Big Papi!!!!!!! |
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| Ben Affleck and Matt Damon!!! |
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| There's just something magical about Fenway!!!! |
As a Father & Husband, you sometimes go out of your way to create good times and memories that won't fade for your wife & children, but looking back at our week in Boston/Cape Cod, those memories are now mine as well. And yes, what I'm about to say may be considered sappy, but it's the honest truth!!! I'm truly a lucky guy to have Heather, Miles, Katrina, & Boggs, because every day feels like Father's Day when I'm with them, and I won't ever forget that day.
