The Fenway Experience
I started this series to convey in photographs the experience of taking in a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. It started in 2017 and will finish…well…when I’m done.
Growing up in the Boston area, it is difficult for me to recall a year that I didn’t take in at least one Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Over sixty years have passed since my first visit with my dad, but when I set foot into confines of the park, I feel again like a six year old. Except maybe I’m looking for the beer concession instead of cotton candy.
Welcome to Yawkey Way
Years ago, the Red Sox organization commandeered this street adjacent to the park on game day, when it is lined with concession stands serving everything from sausages to stouts. From 1977 to 2018, name of the street was Yawkey Way after Tom Yawkey, owner of the Sox from 1933 to 1976. But don’t look for it on the map. The name of the street was officially changed to Jersey Street in 2018.
I captured this image a year before the unfortunate name change.
Programs $1
You’ll save a couple of bucks if you purchase your programs outside the park from one of the authorized vendors. Often you’ll get a good deal; maybe a little pennant.
If you are looking to photograph ball park vendors, discretion is key. Keep a low profile, pick your moments. Need more time? Engage them. Buy a program, tell them what you are doing and ask if they mind if you take a few photos. Likely they will.
Renovations
Fenway Park opened its doors to baseball in 1912. Showing its age late in the century, there were constant calls to build a new ballpark. Management stood fast, determined to renovate Fenway Park while maintaining its historic charm. From my perspective, I say they succeeded.
Among the first of those renovations was the addition of seats above the iconic Green Monster wall in left field, which opened on April 12, 2003. They can be seen in part beneath the lights on the left side of this image.
Hot Tamale
Entertainment abounds on the street formerly known as Yawkey Way. The guy on stilts is always there and always willing to have a game of catch with a willing kid. You’ll almost always find some live music there too before the game; you may catch a rock and roll cover band, or some dixieland jazz, like that served up by the Hot Tamale Brass Band as seen here. The Tamales have played over 1500 pre-game shows at Fenway since 1999.
Light and Shadow
I love going to day games at Fenway. Not because I’m old and night games end past my bedtime; I’ve always loved them. I love the way the shadow moves across the field and I love how the changing light affects the play in the field.
Baseball was meant to be played in the daytime.
Fly-Over
If you are lucky enough to attend the season opener, you are in for a real treat. Regardless of the previous season’s outcome, Opening Day is a day of excitement and renewal. The atmosphere is absolutely electric.
Cell Phone View
There was a time when you couldn’t bring a “professional” camera into Fenway Park. But in these days where nobody leaves home without a magic phone camera, I’m never questioned when I enter the park with my Olympus camera in hand. It allows me to freely photograph other fans taking photos of the game with their magic phone cameras.
the Roof
I sat in the roof box seats for the first time in the 1980s and fell in love with this view. Since then, roof seating capacity has greatly expanded. You can sit in one of the many boxes lining the roof, or socialize in the Bud Light Pavilion above the right field grandstands.
Obstructed View
Whether fully or only partially obstructed, these seats are part of the charm of Fenway. It’s a feature, not a bug.
Fenway Frank
I challenge you to not buy something from one of the many, many vendors roaming the stands at Fenway Park. They are skilled in both sales and fulfillment, often tossing their wares to customers from 15-20 rows away.
This particular vendor is dripping with Fenway Park character.
Pretzel
Same game, different vendor.
Right Field View
At Fenway Park you are closer to the action than you would be in any other ballpark; so close, you can feel like you are part of the game. This is especially true along the right field line, where a friend of mine holds season tickets. This image was captured on a crisp September evening in 2017, when I scored my friend’s seats.
So Good, So Good, So Good!
Sometime during the 1997 season, then park music director Amy Tobey played Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” to celebrate a coworker’s newborn baby named Caroline. It was played occasionally then on, usually when the team was winning, and/or the crowd was in good spirits.
In 2002 it became a regular thing, played before the bottom of the eighth inning of every game.
In 2013, after the Boston Marathon bombings, Neil Diamond himself was flown in to honor the city and head up the ritual.
Selfies
At Fenway Park, you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a group of people grabbing a selfie.
Closing Time
When the game is over, the concession workers’ day isn’t done. I caught this image (and the next couple) while exiting a game in 2017
Boston’s Best & Original
No lie here. I’ve always found the street vendor’s Italian sausage superior to the ones in the park. Cheaper too. So good, in fact, this guy ran out after the game.
He also didn’t appear to be happy having his picture taken.
Street Music
On your way back to your car or to the subway, you’ll likely pass this guy and his trumpet and other musicians playing for tips.
If you’ve got some extra cash, support your local busker.
Off Brand, and unlicensed
When the sun has set and the game is over, the “independent” tee shirt vendors are there with reasonably priced apparel sporting clever slogans and logos that skirt licensing regulations.
My favorite here is the “GOSOX” Citgo sign tee. Brilliant
Comments
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