Delayed Gratification
Manny Ramirez’s home runometer is stuck.
Round 2 for this pair of pitchers.
Another subtle reminder of the 2007 season. This one is near the second floor women’s restroom by the third base concourse.
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May 3, 2008
April 30, 2008
Better Left Unsaid
Last night’s game was for true connoisseurs of baseball. It was not a simple-minded bash fest of homers played under a shining sun with mellow breezes bathing the crowd.
Instead a steadfast crowd of 37,215 braved sub-50 degree temperatures and 15 mile per hour winds, skin numb but emotions raw. The explosion of voices with Dustin Pedroia’s snare of Vernon Wells’s grass-scorching grounder to close the top of the ninth was only exceeded by the growing avalanche of sound with each successive batter who reached base in the bottom of the frame.
The countup to Manny Ramirez’s 500th home run.
For Northeastern University Day the school’s official flower, official mammal, official fish, alma mater, motto, and constitution were feted.
The titans of the AL East, Baltimore and Rays, locked horns the same evening with Baltimore winning
April 19, 2008
Tenderfoots Take Over
Matsuzaka leads the Red Sox in wins in his second season in the majors. The new scoreboards on the fascia are unobtrusive, the antithesis of, say, the video screens on the outfield walls at Rogers Centre.
It was Puerto Rico Day at Fenway. In addition to the national anthem, Puerto Rico’s anthem, “La Borinqueña,” was presented.
Dancers celebrating Puerto Rico Day.
January 6, 2008
Less Than Million Dollar Baby
The Celtics played a tremendous game against the Auburn Hill Pistons last night, perhaps at last silencing sports pundits who have written off the team as untested against the league elite. Rookie Glen Davis broke through with a 20-point performance in just 23 minutes of play; he was also the highest scorer on either team. He’s the second-lowest paid player on Boston’s roster.
I was at his first NBA start back on December 12 against the Kings. Clearly excited by the opportunity, Davis came out early to take warm-up shots that night. As soon as a “Big Baby 11” player t-shirt is available, I’m placing an order.
Big Baby hit the parquet early.
Although the scoreboard wasn’t updated at the time, this was Davis’s first start.
Mike Gorman is laughing now, but little does he know he is the target of Kevin Garnett’s ploy.
Is Greg Dickerson on Gorman or Garnett’s side? Who is on the other end of this surreptitious phone call?
The power forward stalks his prey.
Davis anxious to begin the game and oblivious to his teammate’s machinations.
Garnett in range...
...and he successfully unleashes his attack on the hapless Gorman.
Garnett congratulates Davis after their triumphant foray.
November 28, 2007
Red Carpet
On Monday, November 26 the world premiere of the 2007 World Series Film was unveiled at Wang Theater. At this showing only, over the majestic refrains so typical of sports documentaries, narrator Matt Damon solemnly intoned, “And so, the 2007 Red Sox are World Champions. [pause] Suck on it, New York.” It accompanied a clip of Daisuke Matsuzaka striding to the mound.
Unfortunately, this version is not available for sale to the general public.
I ran into the fine folks responsible for A Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory, Gibberish from the 02145, Red Sox Chick, and Sitting Still. We talked about our favorite parts of the film while looking for esteemed Red Sox alumni.
The scene in the lobby.
Better than any holiday decoration yet devised.
Manny Delcarmen makes his way to the stage.
Curt Schilling brings the 2004 trophy to the stage.
This little guy will soon be joined by his friend.
Dave Magadan gets the spotlight at last.
Delcarmen is proud to represent his team and his town.
Schilling wasn’t briefed on proper première attire.
Terry Francona said that winning championships is “like a drug.” Listen to Tito, kids! Drugs are good.
Larry Lucchino hefts the 2007 trophy.
A perfect pair.
Sam Horn departs the theater.
September 29, 2007
September Celebration
Bird Watching
The state of the Yankees/Orioles game when the Red Sox match-up went final.
With baited and sore necks we watched events unfold in Charm City. Eventually Jere, Matt, and I moved to the loges near Pesky’s Pole.
Wally was sent out to keep the peace.
Making Pennants Fun
Twelve years later. I had a feeling yesterday. This is the first picture I took.
Before.
Daisuke Matsuzaka bowing before taking the field.
September 26, 2007
Returning to Form
Before.
Behind the door that has a door in it there is a floating door.
Well-regarded prospect Daric Barton signed autographs before the game.
Houston Street chatting with a Fenway staff member.
The Jolly Roger in the bullpen.
Two of my favorite players: Kurt Suzuki and Dustin Pedroia.
He’s back, and he’s back medium-sized (so far).
Ramirez after his single.
Ramirez with an odd warm-up contraption.
Judging by Jonathan Papelbon’s sly smile something off-color was spoken between him and J.D. Drew.
Kevin Youkilis was back to his old ways... fouling shots off himself.
But he stayed in the game to field no worse for the wear.
“Pedro, you’re 5-foot-6, you’re balding and you’re not an athlete…how the hell are you in the big leagues? Figure that out and go get it done.” Arizona State baseball coach Pat Murphy.
Lugo duo.
Brother from another division.
August 18, 2007
Clay Day
I snagged a standing room ticket but was able to sit in the loge seats on the third base side until the middle of the second. It was a good run considering the Red Sox scored six in the bottom of the first.
The caliber of fans in the row in front of me was poor. They came in the middle of the top of the first and as soon as they sat down they whipped out their mobile phones to call their friends and brag about where they were sitting.
“Where are we in the standings? Are we in first?” asked the guy wearing Prada sunglasses of the rest of his entourage. A few minutes later this same clueless clod spouted on about how he was in St. Louis for the final game of the World Series in 2004. His companions weren’t terribly impressed by this tidbit and I quelled the urge to ask him detailed questions about the goings-on.
“We’re like four and a half games back,” replied his pal, despite the standings board being just 50 feet away that clearly displayed “5 ½.”
At that point I knew I wouldn’t mind if I had to move, but lingered as long as I could. For the remainder of the game I was in Section 23, a much more enjoyable and knowledgeable area.
I never realized how large this sign was. I take a picture of the pitching match-up every game but usually frame it so people aren’t in it.
After warming up Clay Buchholz did the “I’m walking up and down stairs thing” to amuse the people on the opposite side of the wall from him.
Orlando Cabrera, David Ortiz, Vladimir Guerrero, and Manny Ramirez hang out before the game.
June 15, 2007
Rocky Mountain Sigh
Shocking photographic proof that the Red Sox can beat the Rockies below. The images that follow may be disturbing for some audiences. Click on the picture for a larger version.
Sound booth employee poised for best moment to unleash “Rocky Mountain High.” Something new: playing Supertramp’s “Goodbye Stranger” during visiting team’s pitching changes.
“Where is that damn “COL” sign from 2002? Did one of you guys use it to make colon jokes again?”
Manny deep in repose.
Oh noes teh yankeez r comin
One way to paint the corners. Or should I have gone with “the easy way to tag home”?
Office worker unchained: conservative striped shirt underneath, wacky tie-dye on top.
Picking the daisies.
Touching the sky.
Local boys Chris Iannetta and Josh Fogg enjoy Fenway.
Hugs and hand pounds in the dugout.
The butterfly emerges.
Mike Lowell warns Terry Francona of the perils of the hidden ball trick.
Bruce Froemming will retire at the end of this season. He didn’t get hit by a foul ball that evening.
“Come on, DeMarlo. I can totally steal home.”
Jonathan Papelbon in full stride.
It really did happen. Sadly, just once.
June 3, 2007
Fracas at Fenway
Although the Red Sox lost 9-5 in the series opener against the Yankees, it was a loss Boston could withstand given their dominance in the American League East.
Double digit deficit.
Wally in his rain gear.
The half-hour rain delay ends.
Prior to the game there was a repeat of the 1967 Impossible Dream tribute accompanied by songs from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which was released 40 years ago on June 1.
Doug Mirabelli, Tim Wakefield, and John Farrell march to the dugout.
Alex Rodriguez is serenaded by his most ardent fans.
Live by the knuckleball, die by the knuckleball.
In the second inning, Manny Ramirez playfully hassles Kevin Youkilis for not scoring on the former’s single to right. Youkilis gestured back that third base coach DeMarlo Hale was at fault.
Joe Torre belatedly objects to the call on Bobby Abreu.
Julian Tavarez talks with Daisuke Matsuzaka all game.
Rhubarb!
Dustup!
Donnybrook! Notice David Ortiz talking with Doug Mientkiewicz near the plate.
Melee!
Jorge Posada approaches Youkilis as the fray breaks up.
The fighters return to their corners.
Just one chance is all I ever wanted
Just one time I’d like to win the game
June 2, 2007
Memorable Day
Monday was Memorial Day, a day that unofficially marks the start of summer but more importantly honors the people who have served or sacrificed to protect our shared ideals. That day the American League Central-leading Cleveland squad visited and were vanquished, 5-3.
It was also the day of the first Royal Rooters outing of 2007. One member brought his friend who had lost a bet and had to wear a pink Jeter player tee the entire game. He was also supposed to wear a pink hat, but that part of the wager was waived. The hat would make an appearance elsewhere.
We sat in the bleachers. Needless to say, his attire didn’t go unnoticed. The row behind him needled him mercilessly, chanting about the hue of the shirt and the player it represented.
My friend Matt called out cloyingly, “Miss, I for one think you look lovely. Don’t listen to these hoodlums.” Then, in a fake whisper accompanied by an exaggerated wink, “Call me later.”
That unleashed the floodgates of feminine pronoun use by the entire section.
More than a few Type As in the section to our right were obsessed with starting the wave. They relentlessly marched the aisles like a martinet assembling their troops and were unfortunately successful in their gesticulations.
Matt did his trademark “Polite Heckling” routine. When Eric Wedge argued with the crew about the Casey Blake call, Matt hollered, “Eric Wedge, I am disappointed in your lack of courtesy and respect for authority figures! Please return to your dugout!”
The left field garage door opened to reveal groundskeeping supplies and a massive support pillar.
A patch of sod where J.D. Drew and Trot Nixon would trod.
Curt Schilling makes his way to the bullpen to warm up.
Wally barreled out of the left field door but had to pause on his route because the pitchers were long tossing on his route.
Nixon limbering up for the game.
Nixon’s first at bat as an Indian in Fenway. He had doffed his helmet and Jason Varitek gave him him a butt slap.
Wedge has a difference of opinion with crew chief Rick Reed.
The identity of the pink hat-wearer has been shielded pending formal charges.
May 6, 2007
April Showers Bring May Powers
Photos from the second game of the Athletics series on May 2, where I was so beset upon by friends who blamed me for jinxing Josh Beckett that I didn’t get very many good shots.
The left field wall. Every game I attend I try to photograph the manual scoreboard with the standings and the date as well as the pitching match-up on the digital scoreboards.
Tidying the left field foul line.
David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, and Julio Lugo warming up.
Ryan Langerhans attempting to ignore the jeers from the center field bleachers after his error. He was traded to the Nationals the next day.
Josh Beckett continuing his dominance.
Mike Piazza writhing near third base after colliding with Mike Lowell. It sort of looks like after a little kid fight where one kid ends of hurt and the rest skedaddle so they don’t get in trouble.
May 5, 2007
M’aidez, M’aidez, M’aidez
Photos from the first game of the Athletics series on May 1, the evening of Jonathan Papelbon’s first blown save. Click on the thumbnails for a larger version.
The shift on David Ortiz early in the count.
With Joe Blanton behind in the count, the middle infielders played deeper and the first baseman guarded the line.
Ortiz blooped a single to left any way.
Ortiz in a lively discussion on judging the strike zone with home plate umpire Charlie Reliford.
Curt Schilling pitched well but lost out on the chance to tally his fourth win.
After Eric Chavez struck out in the fifth, Bob Geren sought out Reliford to share his opinion on balls and strikes.
Geren demonstrated the size of the discrepancy between Reliford’s zone and the actual zone.
Hideki Okajima comes to the set...
winds up...
makes his landing...
and, just prior to release, shows his signature head recoil.
Itinerant southpaw Alan Embree.
Manny Ramirez’s 1000th hit as a Red Sox player.
Congratulations, Manuel!
Papelbon had his first rough outing of the season.
April 23, 2007
In the Midst of it All
A sampling of photos from April 21; click for a larger version. You may see more from Jere at A Red Sox Fan at Pinstripe Territory.
Derek Jeter: Yeah, outfielders are so dumb compared to shortstops like you and me... oh, hi Manny!
Larry Lucchino, Mike Lupica, and Brian Cashman conversing.
John Sterling: Oh, it’s so bright and sunny. Hope my ring here doesn’t blind you.
This year Jeter and Alex Rodriguez will make $47M combined, which is more than the 25-man payroll for three teams (Devil Rays, Marlins, and Nationals).
Walk like an Egyptian.
An anxious Red Sox dugout wondering if the wave will complete its circuit.
Josh Beckett has his outing cut short.
Although he was upset he was pulled before having a chance to finish the inning, Beckett left with a chance for his fourth win.
One day after Hideki Okajima secured his first major league save, the southpaw earned his first hold.
What more needs to be said than “Papelbon”?
Contaminated dihydrogen oxide.
The scoreboard showing the other scoreboard.
Twilight at Fenway.
April 17, 2007
Ballistic Pizza
Red: Patriot fan/pizza hurler
Yellow: Pepsi Fan of the Game/pizza recipient
Light blue dotted line: Probable pizza trajectory
Who comes to baseball games scheduled for 10 AM in hurricane-like conditions? Red Sox fans.
In the landscape of extinction, precision is next to godliness.
— Samuel Beckett
Cabrera and Youkilis were kibitzing when the shortstop got on in the fifth thanks to a walk.
Hideki Okajima shut down the side in the seventh.
Francisco Rodriguez’s violent delivery on display in the eighth.
The Red Sox celebrated a successful home stand.
Papi and Tina converse post-game.
The final line.
April 15, 2007
Pitchers’ Premiere
Wednesday wasn’t just Daisuke Matsuzaka’s Fenway debut but also Felix Hernandez’s. I’m trying to find some way to deduct the electricity generated that evening from my federal income tax as alternative fuel credit. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.
Peter Gammons casted his knowledgeable eye over the proceedings.
Ichiro Suzuki during batting practice.
Two Fukuoka Softbank Hawk fans, one American, one Japanese, bond over their favorite NPB team. Kenji Johjima used to play for them and the great Sadaharu Oh is the team’s manager.
Jere of A Red Sox Fan in Pinstripe Territory in a meta moment.
The new Third Base Deck.
To me, it seems a dreadful indignity to have a soul controlled by geography. — George Santayana
Photo assignments taped to a column near grandstand section 24.
Carl Beane spoke in both Japanese and English when introducing Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Due to ESPN’s 7:10 start time, Matsuzaka tossed to Kevin Youkilis along the first base line after having warmed up in the bullpen.
The signature windup.
My goal was to get photos of each Red Sox players’ first at bat. Hernandez’s quick work made this a challenge. Captions below state the ultimate outcome, not necessarily what is happening in the shot. Julio Lugo grounded out to short.
Kevin Youkilis popped out to second.
David Ortiz grounded out to second.
Manny Ramirez grounded out to pitcher to third.
J.D. Drew struck out looking.
Mike Lowell grounded out to short.
Jason Varitek struck out swinging.
Coco Crisp struck out on foul tip.
Dustin Pedroia walked.
The K Men count on Matsuzaka.
Visual evidence of Hernandez’s one-hitter.
King Felix.
April 13, 2007
Greeting the Season
At last, here is a sampling of my photos from Opening Day. Later on tonight I should have a few pictures of Opening Night posted. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.
Media vans dominated Van Ness Street.
McGruff the Crime Dog (ineffectively) combating public drunkenness on Lansdowne Street.
A bouncer pays homage to newest addition to the Red Sox rotation.
Hi, baby. Bunting!
It’s baseball o’clock.
For Fenway’s 90th anniversary there was a nattily-designed logo without any corporation branding. Hopefully this isn’t the shape of things to come.