Fenway Park

It’s the last day in the 2012 baseball season and although we are coming up on some exciting times, it is kind of embarrassing. I haven’t posted since February, how awful is that?!? It’s not due to a lack of news or a slow down in my adventures. It is more due lack of time to document the goings on. A lot of things have happened since my last entry…the entire baseball season has pasted us by to start, one of the hottest summers I can remember scorched the Midwest,  the Reds became NL Central champs and are playoff bound, Miguel Cabrera is just a few at bats away from becoming the first triple crown winner in 45 years, the Ohio Bobcats are 5 and 0, and on their way to being nationally ranked. And the most exciting new of it all, the wife and I are expecting a beautiful baby girl in just 3 short months. We can’t wait to meet baby Grace.

See I told you exciting times are ahead.

So waaaay back in April Courtney and I took a trip to Boston and New York city…the mecca of baseball. We had a pretty good idea that we might be adding a little bambino to the Lloyd household. In preparation we planned a pretty elaborate vacation and probably what I would rank as a baseball dream trip. Our first stop was Boston.

The Kenmore station along Boston’s green line will drop you off just a block short of Major League Baseball’s oldest venue, Fenway Park. Fenway is home to the Boston Redsox. Opening in April of 1912 this 100 year old landmark celebrated its birthday the same time we were in town (coincidence really). Fenway is 1 of 7 major league parks with a seating capacity below 40,000…April 16th the wife and I were one of those fans.
The city of Boston is nothing short of spectacular. As one of our nations oldest cities it is overflowing with history. Prior to game day Courtney and I visited Paul Revere’s grave, stood on the site of the Boston Massacre, ate cannolis in the North End, shopped Faneuil Market and even stood at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
Unlike most other days in Boston, baseball and the Red Sox weren’t the headline that day. The biggest story on that Monday morning was the heat,as it was a special day in Boston…a holiday in the state of Massachusetts. It was Marathon Monday and thousands of runners would face temperatures in the high 80’s, unseasonably hot for April in the northeast .
Our hotel was in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. After a few stops riding an overly packed subway we arrived at Kenmore station. Just outside the station crowds began to gather along the barricaded streets as the final stretch of the 26.2 mile run goes right by Fenway Park. First pitch was scheduled for 11:05 am and the men’s portion of the Boston Marathon kicked off at 10 am , giving us a really good chance at catching some of the runners as we left the ballpark.
We made our way across the bridge, passed a few local pubs and there it was,Yawkey Way. You instantly knew you were in the right place. The street was closed and the celebration had begun,it was game day! Vendors selling every imaginable ballpark favorite surrounded the street. Hot dogs, Lobster Roll, beer, Red Sox hats, Red Sox t-shirts …you name it, it was there . The street had a carnival atmosphere. Courtney and I grabbed a couple cold ones and began exploring the stadium. Once inside the ballpark, I think its hard for anyone not to gravitate toward the 37 foot ‘Green Monster’ in left field. Its become somewhat of an icon amongst baseball fans. The stadium has a cozy feel. Your are just not a number as Redsox game, you are part of the game.  That day the Redsox were facing the division foe Tampa Bay Rays. It was James Shields vs. Daniel Bard. The atmosphere was amazing, but the game was rather uneventful. Red Sox pitcher, Daniel Bard walked in the only run of the game in the top of the 7th. Fenway has an old feel but not to the point where you feel it is out dated. You can tell that the owners group has made a commitment to keep Fenway as a living museum. Other than Wrigley Field there is really nothing like it.

Visiting Fenway Park was the main goal for traveling to Boston, but the city has just as much to offer and is just jammed packed with fun historic spots to site see.

Here is my list of must do/must see while in Boston…

• Boston Public Garden – A large public park located in the heart of Boston. Beautiful landscaping and statues.

• Freedom Trail – Easily the best free attraction in Boston. It is a 2.5 mile trail that walks you by/though 16 historic sites such as The Old North Church, Paul Revere’s House and Grave, the site of the Boston Massacre, and many other historic burial grounds and churches.

• Union Oyster House – The oldest restaurant in the United States and some darn good seafood. Built in 1704.

• Historic North End – Especially Mike’s Pastry. Also make sure to catch lunch or dinner at one of the authentic Italian   restaurants. You will thank me later.

• Cheers Bar – Just cool to see. Grab a beer. No need to stay long.

• Subway or walk – This is the best way to see the city.

• Bunker Hill – Kind of off the beaten path but neat to see for any of you history buffs.

• Barracuda Tavern – A small bar in downtown Boston. Pretty much the best Lobster Roll I have ever had.  (link)