Ballparks - # 5 - Fenway Park, Boston, MA

Saturday, June 14, 2003.

I’m with Don and Frank on a guy’s weekend that took us to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame, then Martin Van Buren’s grave in eastern upstate New York, on to Boston and games at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium on the way home. Even fit in our first Gay Pride parade in Bean Town. A very full weekend.

Outside Fenway Park, Boston (14 June 2003)

In 2003, there was no Quest to visit and photograph all the ballparks. This was just an opportunity to take in a game at one of the classic venues…a lifetime bucket list check-off. Of course, I would bring the camera along.

A local friend got us sweet tickets in the lower level between home plate and first base. This was just the second season of regular interleague play so it was still a novelty to see National League teams play in American League cities. I suspect this was the first time the Houston Astros ever played in Boston.

Opened in April 1914, Fenway is the oldest major league park still in use. It is really a bandbox of a stadium with the smallest area of ground in foul territory and the smallest seating capacity of over 37,000. It is also one of only two parks left that use a manual scoreboard…the other is Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The Green Monster on Flag Day, Fenway Park (14 June 2003)

Before the 1934 season, extensive renovations were made that included this 37-foot high wall in left field. The famous ‘Green Monster’ (as in, “D-jew see NÓ-mah hit it wicked-HAD ovah the Mawn-stah?”) is the iconic feature in this iconic park. Turns out 2003 was the first year fans were able to see games from new seating atop the wall…a coveted ticket now.

Upper Deck, First Base Side, Fenway Park (14 June 2003)

I excused myself to wander around with the camera and made my way to one of the more remote seating areas…on the grandstand roof in foul territory way beyond first base. I’m sure no attention was paid to ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) concerns a hundred years ago but wheel chairs can now make it up to this nosebleed section where the view of the stadium is expansive (see below).

Note the modest tribute on the right field, upper deck façade. There, the retired numbers of Red Sox greats are posted.

1 – Bobby Doerr
4 – Joe Cronin
8 – Carl Yastrzemski
9 – Ted Williams
27 – Carlton Fisk
42 – Jackie Robinson – Though he didn’t play for the Sox, his number was retired from all major league teams in 1997.

Since that visit, the team added Johnny Pesky # 6, Jim Rice # 14, Pedro Martinez # 45 and, just last month, ‘Big Papi’, David Ortiz # 34.

High and Deep Behind the Pesky Pole, Fenway Park (14 June 2003)

The furthest thing from the symmetrical, plastic parks of the ‘70’s, the outfield has a total of 17 facets to challenge the fielders. The right field foul pole, at 302 feet from home plate, will give you the shortest home run in the majors. The ‘Pesky” Pole is named after a Red Sox player who was adept at hitting it.

Among other trivialities, Ted Williams homered here in his last career at bat in 1960 and ‘YAZ’ got his 3000th hit in 1979. For you ornithologists – two batters have killed pigeons with fly balls and in 1947, a seagull dropped a 3-pound fish on the pitcher’s mound during a game. Let’s see them try that in a domed stadium.

Sky Boxes, Fenway Park (14 June 2003)

The ‘Sawks’ won the World Series four times between 1912 and 1918 but then came the ‘Curse of the Bambino.’ They sold Babe Ruth’s contract to the hated New York Yankees and had to wait 86 years and watch them win 26 World Series’ before they finally became a champion again in 2004.

Fenway has hosted football games and on New Year’s Day 2010, the NHL Classic outdoor hockey game between the Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.

Jeff Bagwell at the Plate, Fenway Park (14 June 2003)

Had to get this shot of the Astro’s star first baseman and his distinctive batting stance.

The Sox won this game 8-4. Houston scored early but the home team scored later and pulled out the win. I’m certain we did not stay till the end. I remember driving late into the night as we tried to get closer to New York before we crapped out somewhere in Connecticut. The next day was also going to be a long one with a game in Yankee Stadium and the long drive home…since I had to be at work Monday.

Those were the days.