Opening Day at Fenway Park 2010… a dream come true

My Dad was born in Chicago and grew up in Michigan.

My Mom was born and raised in Boston.

My Dad was a Detroit Tigers fan. My Mom and her entire family have always been Red Sox fans. I was a Tigers fan, like my Dad, during my childhood. After all, I was born in Michigan. But my Dad was in the Navy, and my family didn’t live near my relatives, neither in the Midwest nor New England.

It wasn’t until 1961 that my Dad was stationed at Portsmouth Naval Base in New Hampshire, and then I got a strong dose of what would become known as Red Sox Nation. Like my Dad, I held my own with my Tigers despite the fact that my Nana and many, many relatives lived in the great city of Boston itself and my own Mom was “home” with her Red Sox again. In 1965, my Dad retired from the Navy and my family moved to Rhode Island. Still New England. Still Red Sox all the way, even though they were coming off a streak of losing seasons. But I would not be dissuaded from my Tigers.

Until 1967.

Maybe it’s because I was staying at my Nana’s house in Boston for a little summer vacation and on August 18, 1967, I still remember the news and newsreels of the pitch that smashed into Tony Conigliaro’s eye and cheekbone. The news spread like the fastball that clobbered him. Maybe it’s because people all over New England called Carl Yastrzemski “Yaz,” like he was a brother or friend or next-door neighbor. Maybe it’s because the Curse of the Bambino intrigued me. Or maybe it’s because I felt a sense of history and permanence in New England… like my family was staying here, something I hadn’t felt before.

In 1967, as the Tigers were being eliminated by the Angels to lose a forced playoff with the Red Sox… well, I became a Red Sox fan. I still remember telling my Dad, “Hey, Dad… I’m rooting for the Red Sox.” He smiled. He knew.

The Impossible Dream wouldn’t end with a World Series victory, but I felt home with my Red Sox. And that’s where I’ve been ever since… in lean years, good years, great years, World Series’ years, not-so-good years. And since 1967, I’ve dreamed of being one of those lucky people who actually get to go to Fenway Park on Opening Day… but like the thing with The Bambino, that chance seemed as illusive as a World Series prior to 2004. One thing after another after another after another, for 43 years.

Until yesterday. I went to Red Sox Opening Day with Barry, Keith and Adam. (Um, yeah… I married a Red Sox fanatic!)

And friends, Opening Day was all I thought it would be. And more. The day was unseasonably warm and sunny. The four of us made interesting friends while in line to head to the roof-top deck of the Baseball Tavern, right around the corner from Fenway. The beer was flowing. The fried food was fryin’. Being Easter and all, there was a bit of “religion”… and an Easter Egg Hunt of sorts with some interesting egg messages for that other team. Oh yeah, it was Red Sox vs. Yankees Opening Day… you know, the oldest and most fierce rivalry in the history of sports. Then once in Fenway Park itself, we saw Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky and watched former Red Sox great Pedro Martinez throw out the first pitch. There were two F-16 Falcons and fireworks and more beer. The heart-warming ovation to Mike Lowell. Cracker Jacks… 2 large bags, thank you. Stephen Tyler wowed the crowd with God Bless America during the 7th inning (even though he kept checking for the correct lyrics on the giant John Hancock screen out in the bleachers). And Neil Diamond himself showed up to sing fan favorite Sweet Caroline during the 8th inning.

The intimacy of Fenway. The lights as nighttime came. The majestic American flag billowing from the Green Monster. The Yankee fans sprinkled about… yes, even this added to the magic. Youk and Pedroia, newcomers Cameron, Beltre and Scutaro (the 2 guys behind us started what may become a legendary chant: MARCO pause answer SCUTARO, as in that childhood game MARCO POLO). Okajima, Pap and even Beckett. The color RED everywhere. Smiles. Cheers…

HOME. Home at Fenway. On Opening Day. Definitely one of my 57 Things in 52 Weeks. I literally consumed the history and love and reverence of this team, in this famous place, on this night.

And last, but not least… a hard-fought, incredible comeback, true-to-form 9-7 Red Sox win!

When I talked to my Mom this morning, the first thing she said was, “You saw a great game last night!” Yes, I did. And thanks to Barry, Keith and Adam, I had the most fun I could ever have imagined on this possibly once-in-a-lifetime day turned night. And you know what?… I even think my Dad was smiling down on Red Sox Nation yesterday!

Opening Day at Fenway Park 2010… a dream come true was last modified: April 5th, 2010 by Sharon Couto
SHOWHIDE Comments (10)

  1. Beautiful account of Opening Day! Thank you so much for sharing. It’s something that I hope to be able to get to at some point in my life! Glad you enjoyed!

  2. What a great entry for “57 in 52!”

    Tony and I had the game on TV. My heart was so touched to see the incredible sustained applause and standing ovation for my own favorite, #25, Mike Lowell, who has been a class act since the day he first picked up a baseball (Have you read his autobiography? You’ll love it).

    We were both exhausted last night, and hit the sack shortly after 10:00. Tony turned off the game, just slightly discouraged, especially since it was the YANKEES who were ahead 5-2.

    “They have time,” I said, as he hit the remote.

    We got up at 5:30 this morning. Tony headed for the shower, I to get breakfast going and retrieve the newspaper from our front lawn. Of course the first thing I did was check the sports section. Yes!

    I knocked on the bathroom door.

    “What did I tell you last night?” I asked Tony.

    “What?” he replied.

    Sox won.
    A great harbinger for an upcoming great season.

    Thanks for sharing these wonderful details. I feel almost as thought we were there with you all.

  3. P.S. If you haven’t already, check out Bill Reynolds’ “Lost Summer: The ’67 Red Sox and the Impossible Dream.” It’s not only a great story of the Sox, but of all that was going in in Boston, in New England during those pivotal years.

    Also, see his “’78: The Boston Red Sox, A Historic Game, And A Divided City,” which is equally evocative. (Here’s a link to a great review, better than I could ever dream of writing: http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com/2009/03/bill-reynolds-takes-us-back-to-78.

    I already know you agree with me that Bill Reynold is one of the best writers of the local sports scene. What I would give to have lunch with him!

  4. I had a great time also. Thanks for being there, let’s all do it again next year!!!

  6. What a fun night… you can so tell in your post about how awesome the night was. Also, what better way to experience the night than with your hubby and two sons 🙂

  7. I agree with Nancy! This could only be equalled with an opening day at Wrigley. Someday!
    I am such a baseball fan that this made me happy. Shane used to coach baseball at the high school level, and I loved going to his games. I loved watching him coach, but also, let’s be honset… I loved watching him in that uniform.;)
    What I really love about baseball is not just the game itself, but the atmosphere at a ballpark: the food, the drinks, the fans. It all adds up to an amazing feeling.

Opening Day at Fenway Park 2010… a dream come true was last modified: April 5th, 2010 by Sharon Couto