Red Sox Nation

No......beer????

I remember they had....beer. Of course that was the prior ownership so they didn't require a mortgage in exchange.
Glad you had a great time. I still like Wrigley for just a real friendly crowd.
For the best ballpark, I lean toward PNC, an underpublicized jewel...where they serve Iron City.....BEER!!!!!

Haven't been to Wrigley (or PNC)...I wanna get there. Wanna take a road trip (do I hear hsbaseballweb road trip?)?

Of course I had a couple of beers. Geez, what were ya thinkin?!

Yes, mortgage in exchange for the day...many $$ expended...need to talk ask forgiveness from Mrs. justbaseball soon (she stayed back).

But who can complain...ridin' the "T" to the Pawk, Italian sausage before the game (loaded), Curt Schilling on the bump, Kevin Youkilis (from my alma mater) at 1B and hitting 3rd in the lineup, Manny in the cleanup spot...and they (the whole f-r-i-g-g-i-n' crowd) sang my favorite song about my youngest daughter, "Sweet Caroline" . What a day!

Whew.
I agree that Fenway is the best baseball crowd and and environment.
I should clarify that while I love Wrigley, it might be the pregame/postgame environment part I remember best...and the nun sitting next to me who told jokes the entire time. After Ozzie O tried to do take me out to the ballgame in the 7th, she really had some great material.
Several days in the Cape wrapped around a trip to Fenway. That is life.

Justbb - sounds like a great time! We have some friends who took their son who had just graduated HS to Fenway that summer and shared the same emotion as you. Sounds wonderful!

Because of putting my money and time towards son's baseball, we have never been able to visit many parks. Going to begin to remedy that this summer by visiting Turner Field in August (son is a big Braves fan)! Looking forward to getting to alot more of 'em over the upcoming years!!! Fenway's on that list!

quote:

Best baseball atmosphere I've ever experienced. Great fans, classic ballpark, good food, terrific atmosphere around ballpark, tremendous support, fabulous team.

Its always nice to expect the best and still be pleasantly surprised. They do put on a good show with about 2,000 sellouts in a row.


I like "Dirty Water" after the last out of a win!

Although I'm a die hard, lifelong fan of "The Evil Empire", I've been to Fenway on a few occassions and it's truly an incredible baseball atmosphere.

I lived in Chicago for over thirty years and in the Boston area for the last 13. Fenway is great, but the atmosphere doesn't hold a candle to Wrigley or even to (I am about to commit blasphemy, but bear with me...) the old Comiskey Park when it was full. Fenway is great to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there. Small seats, small aisles, small bathrooms, mediocre food.... They should have gone for a new ballpark. And the prices....

PNC beats them both from a comfort standpoint and the views are spectacular--it's my favorite newer ballpark, but the Pirates play there and it is in Pittsburgh....

Grew up in the Boston area in a family who, for a few generations now, think the Red Sox are not only drafted, but also ordained.....

The best of summers were the Cape, and the trips to Fenway......the whole family would go.....tickets were affordable back then.....

I took my west coast son to Boston when he was 10.....for his first game at the Park.....he loved it.....and to this day can describe that visit in minute detail......it's a wonderful place, and for me......wonderful memories. Glad you enjoyed the visit Justbaseball....

Add: Holden, I just read your post...I can't compare Wrigley to Fenway because I've never been to Wrigley....but most people who have spent over 30 years in the Boston area, as you did in Chicago, would not describe Boston, or Fenway as you have.....

LadyNmom, Probably true--to a point. The owners have done a lot of work to add capacity in the same small place. As a result, it is more crowded and uncomfortable than ever. The view from the "Monster Seats" is awful, although it is a unique experience to watch from up there--once. I've never been up in the Budweiser area, but I suspect that you need a high powered telescope to see the game. The one good thing they've done is to eliminate most of the glass wall that used to be the .406 Club. Much better look now with the open seating. Bottom line: lots of character but a very uncomfortable place to watch a game. That may not be a problem when revisiting old memories or coming to town for one game every year or so, but when you go a lot, it gets very annoying. I know far more people who agree than who disagree. But it's the only game in town, so we go.

Curious - how difficult/expensive is it to get a ticket at Fenway thru Broker or on the street before game? I'm heading that way to watch my son play out East next weekend and noticed Bosox in town.
Agree Holden on the charm of Wrigley. As for the food/comfort/amenities and the baseball - debatable.

When visitng Fenway, just make sure your seats aren't in the family section if you plan to enjoy a beer. My friend took a group of us to a Yankees game last year and unknowingly purchased "Family Section" tickets (it didn't say so on the ticket). We stopped to get beverages on our way to the seats, found the section, row, seat....

The next thing I know some lady is SCREAMING at me from directly behind me "You can't sit there with those!!!" As the huh-wha look was forming on my face, a security guard came flying down the aisle as if we'd just snuck in or something and singled us out and yelled "YOU.....YOU......YOU.....YOU....YOU....you're out of here!" Now I was completely confused and dumbfounded until the "kind" woman cackling behind us pointed out the NO ALCOHOL sigh at the top of the aisle. So we got to watch the game behind the yellow line at the top of the aisle.

Ironically, much later and after a few beverages, we were talking with some Sox fans about the "Family Section". This guy proudly says "Yeah, earlier, I saw a Yankees fan trying to sit down but we had him kicked out!!!!

Then he noticed my Yankees cap and said "It was YOU!!!!" We got a good laugh out of it.

Denis400, we have never had problems getting tickets through a Broker, but be prepared for high price tag......

I DO hope to get to Wrigley someday soon. Maybe later this summer? After that, I want to go to the new Reds ballpark (grew up there). I doubt I'll ever make it to PNC...but ya never know.

For now, I will relish the memory of a great day in crowded, broken-down seats behind a pole at Fenway where I got carded twice buying (light) beer and my knees scraped the seats in front of me. It was TERRIFIC!

When I went to Wrigley, it was sold out. Called the son's agent and got seats behind home plate for free. Best baseball experience i ever had. Rode the el and did the whole deal. Awesome. I hope to get to Fenway soon.

Big

When you come to Fenway give me a call perhaps we can meet there

I may also be able to assist in getting tickets

Other than the beautiful Shea Stadium - with its sweet scents and wonderful food and great fans - I really loved going to see the Yankees and the Cubs at Wrigley a few years ago. (Prior vs. Pettitte)

It was my first time there - and it was special. Had 2nd row seats right behind the Cubbies dugout - and got there as soon as the gates opened.

Great fans - great stadium - great everything!!!

TR, sounds like a plan. I will call you I am going to Dover at the end of Aug, Maybe i can work it out.

Pretty easy to find tix outside Fenway. Head across the Mass Pike towards Kenmore Square and there are usually a bunch of scalpers right there.