Fenway Park

Old Dec 23rd, 2009, 09:30 PM
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OP - by looking at the schedule it seems you are going during the 3rd week in April. The Monday of that week is Patriot's Day, a uniquely Massachusetts holiday (I think also in Maine for some reason) commemorating Paul Revere's ride warning of the approaching British during the Revolutionary War. These days, more important as the date of the Boston Marathon and school vacation week in public schools in MA.

So if you will be needing a hotel for Monday night or any portion of the weekend before the games, you will need to book soon - and even now some places may be filled. But it is a great time to be in Boston - and even watch some of the Marathon if you are here Monday.

And as far as how many games we go to - I sit in "Virtual Waiting Room" on-line twice a year to get tickets - and most often end up in the bleachers or next price up from that. DH teaches one course/year at Boston University and that gets him greatly discounted parking - or we get there early enough to get a street space in some hidden locations. Mr Gail is more a football fan but will enjoy games with me. Daughter-of-Gail is a huge Red Sox fan and we try to get tickets when she is home from school.

If I were an out of town visitor, I would pay anything to see a game at Fenway - but as a regular fan the experience gets old and cold more often than that - and perhaps that is the source of my discontent with Fenway.
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Old Dec 24th, 2009, 04:00 AM
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Both Fenway Park and Chicago's Wrigley Field are true "last of their kind" baseball parks, and have tremendous character and plenty of endearing quirks. They are also not as strong on fan amenities in certain ways (smaller seat size, possibility of obstructed views or odd sight lines, some cosmetic blemishes here and there) as modern ballparks, though they're not hairshirt level experiences, either. You won't get one without the other here, but that's part of the total package.

Much as I enjoy the retro style parks from Camden Yards forward, I think both Wrigley and Fenway are a must for anyone even remotely interested in baseball.
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Old Dec 24th, 2009, 05:09 AM
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There is a very cool Irish sports bar/restaurant in Back Bay at 911 Boylston St. called "McGrevey's" It is owned by the leader, Kenny Casey, of the Boston based Irish rock band, Dropkick Murphys. It is Boston Sports themed but is mostly a Red Sox place- lots of memorabilia including the owner's editions of the 2004 and 2007 World Series trophies. The band has ties to the Red Sox, some of the Sox have sung on their records, and their song "Tessie" has become an anthem for the Red Sox (it was used in the movie Fever Pitch").

The bar dates back to 1894! The original McGrevey's was America's first documented sports themed bar. Very fun place, esp. on home game days when they give away a pair of Red Sox game tickets at 7 p.m.

You can read about the history of the place and see menus, etc, here:

http://www.mcgreevysboston.com/history.html
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Old Dec 24th, 2009, 10:07 AM
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>>

FWIW, we were in the Boston area on Patriot's Day last year. We stayed at the Courtyard in Cambridge and had no trouble getting a hotel. In Cambridge, you would have had no idea it was a) Patriot's Day (except for one guy in costume on a horse) or b) Boston Marathon day.

>>

We are lucky enough to have AT&T as our "home" park. But we've visited a lot of other parks (the Jake, Camden Yards, Fenway and Wrigley among others), and I completely agree with the above statement. Fenway and Wrigley are just monuments to baseball, to be appreciated while they still exist!!
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Old Dec 24th, 2009, 10:17 AM
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Gail...may I start off by saying I have been a Sox fan since 1939..yes, that's right. That was the year that Ted the Kid came up and stayed. I watched him dozens of times that year and of course into '40, '41 and '42, and when he came back from the service after WW II! I have spent many a day and night (after the lights came in) in that classic institution over the years, particularly when it was easier to get tix. I've lived in California snce 1957, but there is hardly a year that goes by where I miss my mission to see some games at Fenway...and I can't wait to see the Sox vs. the Angels out here each year.

My granddaughter has run three Boston Marathons, so we coupled that with catching some games by getting tix far in advance. My grandson is a scholarship baseball player at Colorado State so I also have his games to get to whenever I can...but thus far I've managed to take three of my ten grandchildren to Fenway at one time or another.(I'm an Emerson College undergrad and BU grad school alumnus..Quincy is my hometown)

I see by your profile that your daughter may be taking a semester in Chile...same with one of my granddaughters..she goes to UC Davis and is expecting to be studying in Chile this next spring semester.

Please rethink your advocacy for the destruction of such a landmark as Fenway. To this old man and Sox fan wishes like that are cold and uncaring...I hope it stands for many more years.

Stu Tower [email protected]
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Old Dec 24th, 2009, 08:35 PM
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tower - I have the greatest of respect and admiration for such long-time Red Sox fans - especially from distance and spreading the Red Sox love among grandchildren. May I live long enough to do the same.

My earliest memories of Red Sox date only from 1970s when I lived in Fenway area of Boston and would go to roof of apartment building with friends to hear the games - or if it was a nice night and we had a few dollars walk over to the ballpark and get gameday bleacher seats. Fenway was certainly empty back then. When I was a graduate student at BU I learned to schedule my activites based on game schedule so I could get a street parking space when I returned home. I lost interest in the team while building a family and career but started watching games again in the 90s when it seemed to be the only interest my son and I had in common.

And, unrelated, my daughter decided to do Argentina next summer/fall instead of Chile for a variety of reasons.

Prior to current Red Sox ownership I would have almost agreed to becoming a suicide bomber to destroy the place - I assume you were never in the women's bathrooms, for example, which always had active raw sewage flowing on the floors. This ownership has made great strides to fix up the place - but nothing can change the fact that the seats seem to have shrunk as I get older and that many of the right field Grandstand seats face towards left field and only by uncomfortable contortions can one see home plate. This has forced me to rethink my advocacy for destruction - but I wish there was a way for just a little more comfort for the outrageious ticket prices.
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Old Dec 25th, 2009, 07:37 AM
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Gail...I'd have to agree that even some of the old and gone ballparks had more comfort than Fenway...I had at one time or another been at Shibe, Polo Grounds, the "old" Yankee Stadium, Wrigley (in both Chi and in L.A.), our Coliseum (yech), Crosley, Comiskey, Candlestick, Braves Field (now BU's Nickerson Field), County Stadium, Grffith, Sportsman's (to see the Browns ...say what?...and the Cards), Briggs, Municipal in Cleveland... and yes, Ebbets Field (what an experience)...but Fenway is and was Fenway...when I was at Emerson and BU, I, too, took in numerous afternoon or night games after classes. I also played US Army regimental baseball in Japan, played for Emerson, and coached both basketball and baseball in a small Colorado town, and in West Bridgewater. Over the years I loved watching many minor league games around the country, and hopefully my grandson will be drafted so I'll be making the minor's circuit once again. (Eric was named National Player of the Week last April 16...if you wish, write and I'll send you the articles)

Your DD will love Argentina...what city?...my oldest granddaughter took a semester of her junior year in high school, in Mendoza. An Emersonian, she's 26 and married but still corresponds with the lovely family that hosted her.
By the way, I did my grad work at School of Ed, BU.

I guess we have surely hijacked here, but I don't think there's anything more that posters have to say to the yong Texans. Hope they enjoy their stay in Boston...while the Sox blast the Rangers.
Stu Tower
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Old Dec 26th, 2009, 07:03 AM
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of course, we've not been talking about Fenway PARK..it is and always will be Fenway PAHK !
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Old Dec 28th, 2009, 01:16 PM
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Visited Boston over Labor Day this past year - loved it. Boston is fairly walking friendly. Walked from Copley Square area where our hotel was to Fenway - easy walk. Agree on the tour of Fenway - be sure to check time. Other idea(s): Duck Boat tour, Sam Adams tour.

Have fun!!
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Old Dec 29th, 2009, 05:55 PM
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My opinion may not be unique, but I figured I'd share. I absolutely loved Boston, Fenway and everything about it. My husband and I had an incredible time at the Yankees @ Red Sox game we attended during the fall.
We live within walking distance to Wrigley so the old feel of Fenway was not something unusual. I just loved sitting in the seats and thinking about the history of the stadium. It was like a step back in time. Tower's post above is touching and speaks to the nostalgic nature of the park. You will have a great time.

We were not cold at all during the fall game but then again we enjoy sitting at Soldier Field in sub-zero temps. Just layer up your clothing and you will be fine.

I also found the people at Fenway to be extremely kind. Many people struck up conversation with me in our seats and in line for food.

Like other posters, I'd highly recommend getting to the game early and enjoying the ambiance around the field.

We also ate at a restaurant we really enjoyed, Stephanie's on Newbury. It was recommended to us by a Boston native and we thought it was great.

Oh Boston - I love you!

You will have a wonderful trip. Let us know how it goes!
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Old Dec 30th, 2009, 04:58 PM
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Cramped, crowded, small seats, obstructed views, and still loved by those of us attending games there for the last 40 years. It is an incredible place to watch a baseball game, and you should enjoy it. I saw my Dad act as happy as a kid when Luis Tiant shut out Jim Palmer and the Orioles in September, 1975. My son and nephew's first game was Mo Vaughn's return after leaving as a free agent when Pedro Martinez struck out 15 Angels.

Not to hijack the thread, but for Tower and Gail my wife is from Mendoza, a truly spectacular city in Argentina. Our son is currently at UCLA and I hope he decides to spend a semester in South America.
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Old Dec 30th, 2009, 10:04 PM
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To continue the hijacking - University of Buenos Aires for July-Dec 2010. Homestay, total language immersion - will be attending college for the semester just as if she were an Argentine student. Her majors are Spanish and international relations.

I truly do see the point being made by all about Fenway. In fact, still trying to decide if we should buy tickets from a ticket broker and go to ice hockey game there tomorrow - price for secondary market tickets has come down in past couple of days as weather report is bad. But, as noted above, I like my creature comforts - so may just get 2 tickets for DS and DH.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 05:13 AM
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OK, so who else watched the hockey game at Fenway yesterday?? AMAZING! Bruins rule, and in Fenway Park of all places!
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Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 07:19 AM
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Great game - did not buy tickets in the end/watched on TV. Wish I was there - even in cramped seats and cold.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 08:07 AM
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It definitely was an amazing game but from the setup it would have been difficult to see it from most seats but to say you were there, it would have been great.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 04:44 PM
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It looked so great -- but wouldn't have wanted to be in the outfield seats! (I cared more about the post-game, and Joe Pavelski making the US Olympic team).

(Someday in San Jose!)
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Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 11:38 PM
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i live in california and im going to boston on jan.29 through feb.2nd to see my beloved lakers play the celtics on the 31st. we are staying right by logan airport. so i know we want to take a tour of fenway on the 30th so we will not have a rental car so i was wondering whats the easiest way to get to fenway and the boston garden from logan airport. also what else should we go see or do on are other two full days in boston. thanks!
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Old Jan 3rd, 2010, 12:25 AM
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MBTA.com will give you point to point directions on public transit - will be useful during your stay. For Boston Garden - Blue line to Government Center - you can walk from there. Or if it is rotten weather (likely at that time of year) take Blue Line to State St - change to Orange line and go 2 stops to North Station. Key when you reserach on website is that North Station is stop for Boston Garden.

For Fenway, stop is Kenmore on Green Line (not the Fenway stop - that indicates more a neighborhood than the ballpark). Blue Line to Govt Center to Green Line to Kenmore.

Considering that you are a Lakers fan, I thought it was unusually nice of me to even give you directions.

Do a search here on things to do in Boston - but with 2 days, walk the Freedom Trail (a couple of miles with various indoor and outdoor historical things along the way) and pick one museum to visit. Depending on weather I might consider taking one of the hop on-hop off bus/trolley tour things, using it for transportation when sightseeing. Eat dinner in the North End.

Go Celtics.
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Old Jan 3rd, 2010, 06:04 AM
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Gail ... I WAS there for the hockey game! It wasn't cold at all, really, and nobody sat down during the game, so cramped seats didn't matter. (The standing-room ticket holders really lost out, though.) It was really the experience of a lifetime.

So that it is not entirely a hijack -- Kenmore is indeed the correct stop (closer than the Fenway stop). Also, the crowds are so great after the game that just getting into the T station is really a problem. Consider walking several blocks to find a farther-away station -- or just head for, say, Newbury Street and find a restaurant or pub.

There is a nice article in the NYTimes (Jan 1 I think) about things to see on the Waterfront and North End.
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Old Jan 3rd, 2010, 08:40 AM
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>>

It's early here (San Francisco) and I've already laughed out loud. Thanks Gail
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