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| Representing with the red plaid |
Last Thursday, I had the privilege of attending an open day at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Fenway Park is celebrating its 100th birthday and its existence has never been as popular. It has sold out every home game since May 13th 2003 which is over 720 consecutive sell outs. Fenway Park is steeped in history. Its opening in 1912 came a week after the Titanic sunk and JFKs grandfather threw the inaugural first pitch on the hallowed turf. It has come through depression, low turnouts, the curse of the Great Bambino and more recently the proposal to build an alternative venue in 1999. Somehow it has managed to survive and along with Wrigley Field in Chicago - they are the last remaining traditional ball parks. While Harvard represents the education of Boston, Fenway represents not only the sport but also the spirit of Boston.
Fenway is a rugged venue which has had its image artificially enhanced over the past couple of decades. There are frequent remainders of its past, uncomfortable seats with tiny leg room, views obstructed by pillars and other objects and rust is a common colour in the inner core of the stadium. As mentioned 1999, there was great debate on whether a new ball park should replace it. It is one of the smaller venues with a capacity of 39,000 in a sports mad city. The Patriots played there in the 60s and moved elsewhere eventually settling in Foxboro - over 30 miles outside the city. In 2006 the New York Yankees would tear down and rebuild Yankee Stadium. The love and tradition of Fenway Park ensured that it did not meet the same fate.
The day itself was a wonderful day. It was Spring Break and everybody was happy not to be at school or work. It would be a special day for all the young children whose parents and grandparents passed on their memories - some good and some bad. At times it felt like a pilgrimage to Lourdes especially in certain parts like the Green Monster. I was lucky that I met an Irish guy who grew up in Boston who was a massive Red Sox fan - so I had a free guide. He has a season ticket which has been past down 3 generations.
The Green Monster back in the day was tin plated massive wall which visiting pitchers had great difficulty judging the rebound. It also has a scoreboard which is updated manually. As part of its renovation at the start of the century - seats were installed on top it.
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| The Green Monster from above. Peskys pole on the left |
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| Manual scoreboard |
On the left of the picture you can see a yellow pole which is the foul ball marker name Peskys pole. It is named after Jimmy Pesky who hit 6 home runs around the pole but never managed to hit it.
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| Peskys pole on the left |
There is a bull pen on the far right named Williamsburg - basically created a bullpun 23 feet in from the bleachers to help assist the left handed hitters and the then star batter Ted Williams in the late 1940s. Williams is also responsible for the lone red seat in the right field bleachers - the longest home run recorded at Fenway.
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| Bullpen is top right |
Fenway is a great venue and an integral part of Boston. I was disappointed returning to Lansdowne Road, 2 months ago. Although the Aviva is a fantastic stadium, personally I was gutted to see my old shoddy, asbestos infected stadium replaced. Some redevelopments have managed to expand and keep on its tradition and atmosphere. Croke Park and the MCG would be 2 such venues. Interesting to see how Fenway Park relates to Anfield especially with the owners experience in Boston.
Love it Kev,
ReplyDeleteFenway is certainly one on the stadium bucket list.
It's amazing that they sell-out even with the obstructed views. Everton have struggled with attendances this year. I thought was the recession and boring football but I found out they've got 8k seats with obstructed views. Goodison is one of the few remaining 'proper' football grounds. I think they've explored modernization but it doesn't seem cost effective.
I think my favourite modernization of a old stadium is the Olympic stadium in Berlin. It's still has the classic façade and the ground oozes history, both sporting and national.
Great post and pictures Kev. Looks like it was a perfect day for it.
ReplyDeleteAs Drew says, it's definitely one for the bucket list. It seems like one of those places where you get a real feel of history when you step out there. One of my most abiding football memories was the walk up the steps from the concourse at the old Wembley and the feeling as you took in the view of that great old stadium. Bit cliché, but proper shivers down the spine stuff for a 7yr old. The only thing kids take away from Wembley these days is a perforated ear drum from that wanker operating the P.A. system.
Staying on the stadium vibe I went to Twickenham for the first time on Saturday for the Heineken Cup Final. Had got tickets a couple of months back and was hoping for a Munster appearance, but couldn't really argue with the all-Ireland clash that we had. The crowd was a record for a Heineken Cup match and there was a good rugby atmosphere (not to be confused with football atmosphere) inside. We were sat mainly amongst Ulster fans and there was good craic with them and the fans of other clubs all mixed in. There were lots of Munster jerseys to be seen, perhaps more people had the same fanciful idea we did. It's a stadium that has also come into the 21st Century, without succumbing too much to the production-line bowl-like stadia that seem to be becoming increasingly prevalent.
It has to be said that this Leinster team are phenomenal. Surely they'd give most national teams a run for their money - Brad Thorn, Sexton, Kearney, O'Brien, Healy, BoD, Heaslip, Isa Nacewa, D'Arcy - There are winners all over the pitch. Would take a brave man to bet against them making it 3 in-a-row at the Aviva next May. Certainly an event I'll be thinking of entertaining.
As an aside it looks like I'll be moving to London in the next couple of weeks. Have managed to get a job in Whitechapel, still working for the NHS, and Yvonne and I have found a flat in Highbury. This could open up lots of sporting opportunities and I intend to take advantage of as many as possible. The Emirates is a 20min walk away, so I'll have to see what that's like, and I want to visit The Oval and Lords as soon as the chance arises. It goes without saying that you both have a place to lay your head should you want to visit, we'll have to arrange something soon Drew and definitely something when you're back over this way Kev :-)
xx