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August 2009
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I just returned from a weekend trip to New England to visit a long-time friend who is getting his MBA in Boston. Trip and his wife Rachel were great hosts, and as usual we had a fantastic time. We enjoyed some clam chowda, visited some of Boston's famous landmarks like Faneuil Hall and the Old North Church and caught a sporting event... or two... or three. I've been to Boston before to see sports, but I don't think it ever hit me quite like it did this time. Boston IS the greatest sports town. Don't get me wrong Dallas-Fort Worth, we live in a great place to follow sports. But Boston, WOW! On Saturday we went to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox play Baltimore. The media-relations great, John Blake of the Texas Rangers helped me get tickets because they sell out just about every game in Boston. As we strolled down Landsdowne Street, on our way into the oldest professional sports stadium in America, you would have thought the fans were gearing up to see Game 7 of the World Series. I wanted to stop and tell some of them that it's only April, but I'm pretty sure they already knew and that's just how they act for every game.
The greatest part of the night wasn't Kevin Youkilis sending one over the green monster in the bottom of the 3rd. It wasn't ace Josh Beckett mowing down the side in the 4th. It wasn't even the monster dog with grilled onions and peppers (although that was pretty darn good). The greatest part of the night was the 37,559 fans, squeezed into a stadium that actually holds a couple hundred less than that, singing the Neil Diamond classic "Sweet Caroline" in unison during the middle of the 8th inning. It was a goose bump moment. How rabid are Red Sox fans? I spoke to a girl, who for her 21st birthday asked for tickets to go see her first Sox game ever next month. She told me her dad has spent over a grand for the family of five to go see the town's favorite team play the Mets in May.
On Monday, we spent Patriot's Day watching the Boston Marathon. The race goes right down my buddy's street and finishes not too far away on Boylston Street. We set up camp a couple of hundred yards from the finish line. Seeing one of the world's greatest sporting events up close and personal was spectacular. The weather was a bit chilly, but perfect for a marathon. Again, the fans were incredible. Six-hours after the race started, the hardcore supporters were still on the course cheering the final finishers. On Monday night we saw what may turn out to be the greatest NBA playoff game this season. The defending world champion Celtics and Chicago Bulls played an instant classic. Ben Gordon scored 42 points for the Bulls. Then, with the game on the line, 2-seconds left and tied at 115, Ray Allen nailed a 3-point shot heard 'round Boston. The bean town crazies went nuts. My weekend in Boston saw the Red Sox sweep the Orioles, the Bruins take a 3-0 series lead over Montreal, the closest women's finish in the 113-year history of the Boston Marathon and the Celtics win a playoff thriller at the Garden. What a great sports weekend in Boston. Could it possibly get any better? Probably, the Yankees come to town this Friday. 2 CommentsLeave a comment |
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Great story! Come back to Boston anytime. Have Trip and Rachel bring you to our Christmas. Party.
Tim's Mom.
Hey Trish, that sounds fun. Thanks for the note and the invitation.