Again, I was lucky enough to go to a Game 1 at Fenway.

Introduction

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Featuring Koji, Middlebrooks, and Buck

Back in 2005, I joined the waiting list to get season tickets at Fenway Park. Just waned a 10-game pack. Here it is seven years later, and I got the e-mail for the offer. I got right field seats, which I actually enjoy. But, over time, I’m going to see if I can start working my way down towards the dugout.

My home away from home.

The Sox, however, need to pull something together. My first game was against the powerful Texas Rangers. Lester lasted only into the 4th inning, and Hamilton blasted the “Red Seat Rattler.” The Red Seat is in Section 42 of the right field bleachers, 501 feet away from home plate. Ted Williams hit a ball that knocked a fan on the head in that seat. It’s said to be the longest hit in Fenway Park. My first game, Hamilton hit a ball that went like a space shot well over us and to our right, towards Section 42. My wife thought that he threatened the record.

Kelly Shoppach striking the Zeus Pose.

Sweeny, Pedroia, and Youkilis hoping that Red Sox pitching keeps it in the Park.

Texas Travels Well

The Ranger fans did travel well. There was a good turnout of Texans, and why not with Kinsler, Hamilton, Young, and a well improved pitching staff?

Pesky Pole at Night

Rays took charge of the Sox on a crisp Fall like day. Nice sunshine, love being at Fenway, but Sox took the loss, when they badly need wins to hold onto a playoff berth.

Johnny Damon with a lead off of second base

I even saw a kid with the “Looks like Jesus, throws like Mary, acts like Judas,” T-shirt.

David Price on the mound

Finally got a half decent shot of Ortiz.

David Ortiz held to first

It’s been a while since I’ve been in the bleachers. I didn’t go in my usual gate, and I didn’t get pistachios from my usual vendor. Sox lost to Tampa.

View from Center Field

I had a few beers, and I sat in the sun. I slept most of the car ride home.

Anonymous fun loving crowd

Ellsbury

Joe, Dave, Remy, Don, and their interns.

When I went in through the wrong gate, I took the advantage of taking a view from the Monster Seats.

Almost in the Monster Seats

Varitek

On July 24, 2011 the Red Sox took on the slumping Seattle Mariners. It was a big day for Tim Wakefield. He threw is 2,000th strike out as a member of the Red Sox, and won is 199th career win as an MLB pitcher. On the other hand, Francona took Wake out of the game after he gave up a grand slam.

Starting Pitcher Time Wakefield

Here’s Ichiro striking his stoic pose as he waits for the pitcher. Who knows why he does this. Perhaps he’s pretending he’s got a bow and arrow instead of a bat.

Ichiro striking his pre-pitch pose.

Now what’s with Kevin Youkilis’ batting stance? Okay, I get that he’s trying to keep loose and relaxed. The bat’s over his head, and his left hand is loose. His body slowly gyrates, like a belly dancing Homer Simpson. Sure, I can see keeping the bat high, so it comes down and swoops through the strike zone.

Youk's pre-pitch pose

Then all this relaxation appears to get thrown to the four winds. As the pitcher throws the ball, Youk appears to tense up and bring the bat down. Okay sure, it seems to work for him, but why the keep loose dance, if you’re going to wrench yourself up in a moment?

Youk, why so tense?

On Friday May 20, 2011, we had the privilege to go to the first meeting of the Cubs and Red Sox at Fenway since 1918.

Dennis Eskersley threw the Ceremonial Opening Pitch to Carlton Fisk.

Eck & Pudge

Eck on the mound

Eck throws the first pitch to Pudge

Jon Lester on the Mound

Pedroia vs the Cubs

Soriano at bat

Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena - Former Tampa Bay Teammates