Being at Last Night’s Game - Welcome Back, Nomar

I very fortunate to be at last night’s game.  I say fortunate because there were some special moments last night.  That being said, it was one of the most frustrating Red Sox games I’ve ever been to. 

But I’m not gonna talk about that.

I’m not gonna talk about how much I anticipated eating a Fenway Frank and how disappointed I was with the new brand they use.  I’m not gonna talk about how there was a pole in my way so that third base was completely blocked and it was very difficult to see the pitcher’s mound.  And I’m certainly not going to talk about how frustrating it was to watch our offense last night. 

What I do wanna talk about is how emotional it was in the ballpark when Nomar Garciaparra came to bat for the first time at Fenway Park since 2004.  As he was lead off the second inning, fans were already getting out of their seats to cheer for him as he was walking towards the plate.  He was clearly very touched by the reception he got, which seemed as if it would never end.  I knew I didn’t want to stop clapping for him.  It was the first time I got to in years and now I realized how much I missed it.   What a great moment at Fenway Park.  I’m glad that I was there for it.  It’ll be hard to forget.  

Other notes from the game: 

-Orlando Cabrera was also in line up (talk about irony).  He got a warm reception when he was introduced, as well as when he came up to the plate for the first time.  Fans weren’t giving him a standing ovation or anything, but I’m glad that he heard some noise from the fans. 

-Jason Bay’s catch in the 8^th inning was amazing.  When the ball left the bat, I thought it was going to be a homer.  I slumped lower in my seat until I saw the ball sinking and Bay make the leaping catch against the monster.  Then the double play made it even better.  It was one of the few times we got to cheer in the game, and it was really cool to see that happen. 

-This is just a personal thing for me to remember the game by.  It was my first time at Fenway this year and I knew that they let Red Sox Nation members in a little early to watch batting practice.  I didn’t realize how early this was, as the gates opened close to 4:30 PM.  I also didn’t realize how many people took advantage of this, because there was a long line just to get in that early.  As I got in, I saw everyone heading up to the Green Monster in hopes of catching a ball.  I realized how many people were doing this, so I went down to the bleachers by the Sox bullpen.  I was the only one there.  I’m not quite sure who it was (I think it might have been Saito) but I got a ball thrown to me within minutes of arriving there.  Sick.   Then I went up to the Monster for a couple of minutes to enjoy the view.  

Well that was my experience from the game last night.  Although I left the ballpark in a sad mood, it was really great to be back, and amazing to be there for the Nomar moment.  As for the actual game, well, it sucked.  But I’m glad I went. 

Keep the Faith.