Note: If you are planning to be in the Bay Area Sunday, come on by the AN fANfest. Details in the diary here. Hope to see everyone!
For those of you who missed my post on my vacation to the dark side (aka the East Coast), here is the Yankee Stadium section of the trip, and here is Fenway.
Perhaps in complete defiance of a team that was painful to watch for most of the year, I decided that the 2008 season would have to become a little more about baseball and a little less about the A’s. And there seemed no better year to visit the baseball powerhouses of the East than this one; especially with the stadium closure in New York.
I reasoned that if I was going to temporarily dabble in the dark arts, I should keep the visit as brief as possible, so I attended a Friday night game at Yankee Stadium and a Sunday afternoon game at Fenway Park.
First of all, Fenway Park is awesome. There are no two ways about it. From the moment you set foot into the surrounding area, you get the sense that you are a part of something much bigger; something that has been there a lot longer than you; something that your grandparents may have seen, and that your grandchildren will want to. Movies like Fever Pitch don't do this park justice; there is truly nothing like walking up to the brick walls and just feeling baseball.
Unlike the newly-remodeled, newly-built parks that we have grown accustomed to for our baseball needs, Fenway is truly a throwback. Here was my seat:
Fenway has a very "Wrigley" feel; where you know that this is a baseball stadium, not just a venue for the city, where a baseball team plays. Hours before the game, fans crowd into the surrounding square for eating, shopping, and chatting about the Red Sox. The Boston fans I met were incredibly nice, even to me as an A's fan in full green and gold attire, and since we had the good fortune to plan our trip around the A's visit, at least we were assured the home team would win!
What's the East Coast without a little rain delay? The 30 minute break in the game gave us time to tour the stadium; we weren't leaving our seats any other way.
Luckily, the game resumed, just in time for "Sweet Caroline" in the eighth inning. If you haven't heard THAT in Boston, you are missing out!
After the game, we visited the highly overrated Cask'n Flagon, the restaurant/bar just down the street from the stadium, but we left in favor for the newly-opened, completely awesome Bleacher Bar, which is actually just about in center field.
View of the Stadium from the Bleacher Bar:
View of the Bleacher Bar from inside the stadium:
For those of you who have been to the actual city of Boston, you know that it's fabulous, as well. Restaurants and bars, all with great food and great drinks, line the historic streets, and you can't want fifty feet without seeing something that you once read about in U.S. History class. It's a whole different world from California.
And not that there is any real excuse for the East Coast bias that the sport of baseball seems to show during the season, but it only takes one visit to the historic parks to see why people are so crazy about their baseball. We have the team, but they have the parks; the whole baseball experience, and for one game, at least; it's fun to see it.
1 recs | 32 comments
why on earth didn't you let us know you were in town?
ArakSOT - February 4, 2009
I didn't have AN that whole week...
…we drove from NY to Boston, and weren’t even sure that we’d make it for the games. Obviously, I suck. :-)
baseballgirl - February 4, 2009
Fenway is awesome ... go to Fenway ...
take the tour beforehand, too … it’s pretty frickin’ cool …
devo - February 4, 2009
College Kids
Boston is all about those college kids…
Hit4TheCycle - February 4, 2009
Always wanted to go
I was in Boston once but didn’t have the time to go to a game unfortunately.
Also, a guy on the Price is Right is representing his A’s love with an A’s jacket and Drew even gave us a “Go Oakland!” National exposure is coming, I can almost feel it.
Helloooo 1st - February 4, 2009
BBG-
great writeup! I expected having a nagging feeling to correct you or add points, but I think you did the park/city justice.
the worst part about Boston: being here while watching the A’s blow a two game playoff lead. also: the Tuck Rule.
the best part about Boston (from a fan’s perspective): they really REALLY care about baseball here. and the energy in the stadium reflects that.
oakinboston - February 4, 2009
It absolutely does...it was amazing!!!!
I tried to let the pictures do the talking; they came out great!
Man…that Bleacher Bar though….
baseballgirl - February 4, 2009
That's the thing that makes me jealous
My hatred for Boston is unrivaled … but like you said, the fans there “REALLY care”. For those of you who’ve never experienced a game back East, it’s just different. Let me give you an example … one of the games I attended was a Saturday afternoon contest, and Pedro had us 6-0 by the third inning. Game over. In the fifth inning, Manny hit a double and the next guy up – Varitek, I think — moved him over with a ground ball to second. The place exploded. 6-0, and they advance a baserunner, and you would’ve thought someone hit a home run in the 9th inning! In Oakland, or any other west coast venue, it would’ve barely registered with anyone.
That’s the thing about Fenway or Yankee Stadium or Philly … people go to the games to help their team win. That’s the mindset. It’s business. In Cali, it seems like people go for the food, or the tailgating, or to just catch some sun. I’ll never forget a post on AN several years ago where someone complained because fans “stood up” too much. Wow. That’s what you mean when you say “they really REALLY care”. If you dared tell someone to sit down back there, they’d look at you like you were nuts. Gawd, that’s awesome. It just really pisses me off when we have to beg and plead for people to cheer when our pitcher has two strikes on somebody in the 9th inning … Bostonians are taught from birth you better be into it … first pitch on. They get it – plain and simple.
Vacafan - February 4, 2009
I think I was at that game
it was hudson vs pedro, right? very depressing. I was hoping for a great matchup.
BBG, ya dun good. Boston can be very annoying, and watching my kids grow up as red sox fans is scary. But they love the team and the game, they know a lot about the game, and as long as you’re not a Yankees fan most of them don’t mind if you’re cheering for the other team.
eastcoasta'sfan - February 4, 2009
"Four o'clock in the afternoon in the Fenway,
I have my heart in my hands."
Jonathan Richman is Boston’s only redeeming feature. Well, OK, also the titans of academia, the Kennedy family, Fenway Park, and salb918 and ArakSOT. Everything else sucks. Especially the Red Sox fans.
Awesome writeup bbg. I thoroughly enjoyed my only Fenway visit many years ago, and would gladly go back some time, provided I could drop in via parachute and be picked up by jet plane skyhook a la The Dark Knight
.
FreeSeatUpgrade - February 4, 2009
Great writeup and great pictures...
Looks like you had good seats. Fantastic place to watch/experience a game.
OaktownPower - February 4, 2009
The seats WERE great....
…and the people around me were awesome!
baseballgirl - February 4, 2009
I am kinda mad you had a good experience with the fans
… not really, but it shoots holes in my “they’re the biggest jerks in the world” argument.
I hate to sound sexist, but maybe cuz you’re a girl?? I don’t know, but I’ve been to yards all over the country and I’ve never been heckled like I am in Boston.
For the longest time they seemed pissed because they never won — now that they’ve finally gotten over the top, they seem pissed because they don’t win every year, and dammit, they deserve it. I think New Englanders just stay pissed, in general. If there isn’t something to whine about, life ain’t worth livin’!
Vacafan - February 4, 2009
Great ballpark
I was there for a double header back in 1994. That was pre-“Sweet Caroline” singing, but it’s still a great ballpark. And to see the Green Monster in person……very cool.
Fenway and Wrigley are two of my favorite ballparks to watch road games at….
gigglingone - February 4, 2009
I've been to Boston once
and my friend and I were touring the city the day after the Sox were eliminated from the playoffs… this must have been 2005. We walked around the outside of Fenway in the rain. Pretty deserted around there that day.
whiteshoes40 - February 4, 2009
Been there
My Dad, Sister and I all decided that we needed to see Yankee Stadium before it was retired ( This was 2007) and that evolved into a one week whirlwind trip to Fenway, Yankee Stadium and then a stop over in Chicago for a Wrigley visit before heading home.
Yankee Stadium had the best fans (believe it or not) Fenway had the best overall atmosphere as far as pregame excitement and fan interaction and Wrigley was by far the best field.
As for Fenway, the Cask ‘n Flagon has excellent buffalo wings, I enjoyed the place. The streets are filled with fans who don’t give you too much flack for wearing A’s gear. Good people overall. I live and breathe A’s baseball but as a fan of the game these places are must sees. If I could afford it I would see a game in Fenway and Wrigley every year.
rollie_fingers_moustache - February 4, 2009
Nice stuff
I’ve been to Fenway but not for a game yet
I was there on January 6, 2000 just before catching a train back to New Jersey from Boston after spending a couple days with a friend. I went to a Celtics game (which happened to be their first on a new court after replacing the old one from the Garden), checked out a bit of the Freedom Trail, and went to Fenway to take some shots outside.
As I walked around one side of Fenway, I noticed a gate open near a truck and someone was inside. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I walked in and told the guy I was visiting from out of state and needed to catch a train back to New Jersey soon, and I asked him if there would be a problem if I just went inside briefly to snap a few photos since I’d always wanted to come here.
Although he said he really shouldn’t allow it, he gave me two minutes and in I went, coming out in the stands a little to the first base side of behind home plate. I wound up being in there for maybe five minutes total (I had to put in a new roll of film since one was just ending), but fortunately the guy didn’t make an issue of it. It was odd being in this place with it being winter and the park all empty, but if you’ve ever been able to just briefly taste something you really wanted, you might know how I felt. It’s something you don’t forget. Of course, I’d like to get back out there to see a real game.
A few shots from an old, kind of crappy camera my father had back then:
Outside near home plate
Inside, toward center
First base side
Press box
Green Monster
Right Field
Outside again, the Citgo sign
Behind the Monster
What it looked like before they added the Monster seats
One more from another angle
Flashfire - February 4, 2009
Good story
somebodyelse - February 4, 2009
I visited Fenway for the first time last summer
I wasn’t there when the A’s were (unfortunately) but I did get to see Danny Haren beat the Sox. In the same trip I also went to Camden Yards and Yankee Stadium. Fenway does have a magical feel and, yes, there was a rain delay when I went as well. The atmosphere of Fenway was amazing, Camden was a very nice ballpark where it felt almost like Spring Training in that the game was only half the atmosphere and walking around the park and getting food was part of the experience. I did not enjoy Yankee Stadium at all. I had bleacher seats (I am cheap after all) and apparently you can’t see Monument Park with those tickets. It was incredibly hot and I didn’t feel like a part of the game at all. Fenway the game was all that mattered.
Until this year the only parks I had seen a game at were Candlestick, PhoneBooth Park, the Coliseum, and Phoenix Muni. Since then I’ve also gone to the big A (which was nice enough), Raley Field, and the aforementioned trio. I really want to see Wrigley but I have no idea the next time I’ll be in Chicago. This Spring Training I am planning on seeing the WBC final at Dodger Stadium (if I can get tickets) and two A’s away games (at Chicago and at KC). Is there any other specific stadiums ANers would recommend?
vignette17 - February 4, 2009
Once riding in old Baltimore...
Leopold Bloom - February 4, 2009
I am so torn
between my love of the history of the game and my primal hatred of the Sox and the Nation. I would love to see a game at Fenway, but don’t know whether I am mature enough to cram myself into a crowded sea of Red Sox fans. Thanks for going and taking pictures!
somebodyelse - February 4, 2009
I do have a good Fenway story
My first visit to boston, I was in college and hanging out with friends, going to bars and such. At midnight when the bars shut down, we were on the streets and I needed to [ahem] relieve myself. Just try finding a public restroom in this town.
So, I turned to the nearest wall, made sure that no one was looking, and did my thing.
My friends all started laughing. I looked up and suddenly realized I was peeing on the green monster.
eastcoasta'sfan - February 4, 2009
I think there's some kind of symbolism to be taken from that
Flashfire - February 4, 2009
Never been
Maybe someday.
I make not like the teams that play there much, but this post and the one on Yankee Stadium I have really enjoyed. Thanks bbg.
67MARQUEZ - February 4, 2009
*may* not like the teams
(lame)
67MARQUEZ - February 5, 2009
great experience
Got to go in September 07 and it was just an amazing experience.
My galleries are up if anyone wants a look at some eye candy that will surely want them to go, or go back.
game one
game two
tour
oakland ehs - February 4, 2009
Love the pics - thanks!
Nico - February 4, 2009
Sweet Caroline
If I never hear that song again, it will be too soon.
Boddhi Oak - February 5, 2009
Buh! Buh! Buh!
Oh! sorry!
lynnzgal - February 5, 2009
An Oakland Fan In Boston...
The A’s will always be my team. I’m a transplanted bay-area guy (Sunnyvale) now residing in Boston. I love baseball – and now go to Fenway park to see my beloved Athletics. Boston fans are nuts about their team – while west coast fans are much more laid back. Over time – I’ve gotten into the game a bit more due to the infectious nature of RedSox Nation! And fans at Fenway are pretty accepting of fans of other teams – with the exception of Yankee’s fans, which, let’s face it – we all hate anyway!
Thankfully spring training is almost here – which means the damn snow in New England will be gone soon! Let’s go A’s!
A's1973 - February 5, 2009
Fenway Fourth Of July Weekend 2008
We went to Boston last 4th of July and caught the Monday game vs Twins, 1-0 Sox with Manny driving in winning run in 8th inning. Lots of out of town folks at the game, had a great time and wore my A’s cap proudly!
Morada Mudshark - February 5, 2009
I got to see Fenway this winter on one of their tours.
Since there was a whole lot of construction going on, we weren’t able to walk through the stadium, but it was still worth the price of admission.
Our tour was lead by this great old codger with a thick Boston accent. He was complete with Championship rings on each hand.
Baseball Bling
It is a culture shock to go to a whole store devoted to a team. I know there are Giants Dugouts in the area, but the Fenway Store was nothing wimpy like that. I only wished that the A’s could have such a selection. Can I have a Tagalog Oakland A’s shirt please?
International BoSox Shirts
While in the stadium, a giant dinosaur was wreaking havoc on the grounds of Fenway!
ALL FLEE!
I didn’t know that after Fenway becomes a true National Historical Place, park management is not allowed to add anything new to the park. There is a tight deadline to get many modern amenities and extra seats before everyone must drop their hammers.
Construction
Because of all the construction, there are brick shards everywhere. For a cheap souvenir I picked some up to bring home. It reminded me of going to Venice, Italy. Since Venice is sinking and warping slowly, pieces of the main Basilica’s mosaics were breaking off. A tour guide gave me some pieces of the mosaic.
After the tour, we decided to try and find Cy Young. We heard his statue was in Northeastern University and it was not too far away from the stadium. It wasn’t as easy a find as we had hoped, but we had a very nice walk. Eventually we found him setting up for a pitch.
Metal Cy Young wants to intimidate you!
Boston is an awesome city which I hope to visit someday in the summer for a Sox v. A’s game. Being at Fenway, you get how Baseball is a game over here and a way of life over there.
oaklandSMASH - February 7, 2009
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