Being from Massachusetts means many things. First, "R" doesn't really exist in our vocabulary. "Wicked" is a word frequently used. You are used to traffic. September brings all the college kids who don't know how to get around the city. Fall means Patriots games on Sunday. Winter means Celtics and Bruins. But Spring and Summer are dedicated to the Red Sox. You knew who Yaz was before you could walk. And at some point in your life you will make your inaugural visit to Fenway Park.
Fenway Park is a religious experience for Baseball fans. Friendly Fenway, is what many opposing teams visitors call it, because (unless you are a Yankees fan), we are a pretty decent group of people. One time Mr. and I became friendly with a couple sitting next to us. Turns out they were Cubs fans who were told that Fenway Park was an experience they had to have. They made the trip to Boston just to come to the game. They knew no one on the Sox except Ortiz, being that the Cubs were in a different division, and things were changing for the Sox. We were able to help them out. Having always wanted to see Wrigley Field, we talked about the two parks and the curses (ours had been lifted 2 years prior) that plagued our teams. We ended up buying the couple a drink and chatting in between innings. We sang Sweet Caroline and when the Red Sox won, we heard Dirty Water.
When you enter through the gates and onto the concourse, it is not as fancy as many of the ballparks today. Sure, they have spruced it up, but it is still the same old Fenway. But then you walk up the walkway and into the stands. That first moment that you look out onto that field.... it takes your breath away. It is like a first kiss from a very attractive man. You get those excited butterflies in your stomach. You smell the grass, the beer and the popcorn. You see the field. At Fenway, you always seem so close to the field when you walk out.
My first trip to Fenway took place in July of my Sophmore year of college. (I was too cool to be seen with my parents when they took my brother and sister to a game when I was in Middle/High School.) I had purchased tickets to the college student game. It cost $5.00 for college students and I was really sad when it was rained out. It was scheduled for July and I took the day off from my summer job to go. I took the train downtown. I was alone, because the people who were going to go with me lived in other states or had to work. I remember getting there early, grabbing a program, and going into the park. I grabbed a soda and Fenway Frank (fully loaded of course) and headed up the ramp. The sights and smells hit me at once. It was like I described in the paragraph above. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I brought a Happy Birthday sign for my favorite player, Nomar Garciapara. Not only did he come over to talk to me as I stood on the first base side. He signed my poster and posed for a photo. (Which CVS later botched while developing. I lost the whole roll.) I was in heaven. Because it was a rain game, I was allowed to stay in a seat about 5 rows back from the first base line. I chatted with the usher, a really sweet elderly man who ended up sitting next to me and enjoying the end of a game. And man was it a game! Nomar hit 3 home runs and the Red Sox won! I even ended up on the broadcast with my sign.
Little did I know that Mr and I were both at the same game. We didn't know it at the time, but later we would joke about how that day was too early to meet each other, fall in love and get married.
Even now, walking up into the stands from the concourse sends shivers down my spine. I was in the same ballpark that my grandfather would sneak into with his buddies in the thirties when he couldn't afford a $0.15 ticket. My Grampy took my mother and uncles to Fenway to catch games. I went there with Mr. on a June night to boo Barry Bonds, who had just been outed as a steroid user. There was so much history here. Not just sports history, but family history.
Today marks the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park. The first game took place April 20, 1912 and was won by the Red Sox who were playing the New York Yankees. (Then known by another name.) They won 7-6 in extra innings. Today, the Red Sox and Yankees meet again. As is right. The greatest rivalry in the ballpark's history is renewed.
Fenway is not going anywhere, and I am glad. I can't wait to take my little Monkey to his first game. I can't wait for him to cheer for his favorite player and help him make a sign. I can't wait to share popcorn and buy him his first Fenway Frank. And, if the ballpark is still there, I am looking forward to taking my future children and grandchildren there. There is nothing like seeing a child and their parents enjoying time at the park.
Fenway Park on Opening Day 1912:
Fenway Park Opening Day 2012:
Today... Fenway will honor the past, present and future of this amazing ballpark. And yes, my former crush "Nomah" will be there and I will be watching.
Happy 100th Birthday Fenway, may we all look so great at 100.
