It’s happened 111 times now (100 at Fenway Park), but there’s still something special about the Red Sox home opener – and today was no exception.
The fighter jets screaming overhead. Yaz throwing out the first pitch. The New York Yankees in the opposing dugout. And a notch in the win column to boot!
Herewith, a few highlights of today’s experience:
- Biggest surprise: Adrian Gonzalez bunting for a hit in the seventh inning … and making it when Alex Rodriguez threw wildly toward first base
- Greatest happiness (tie): Dustin Pedroia’s first-inning home run and Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s game-winning RBI double in the sixth
- Best reason to install new high-definition screens in the ballpark: to fit the name “Saltalamacchia”
- Best advice: pitching coach Curt Young to reliever Bobby Jenks after the latter threw six straight balls upon entering the game … and then went on to post a “zero” for the inning
- Most excruciating mound work: John Lackey and his five innings of seven-hit, six-run baseball. Unfair, really, that he gets the win.
- Most truth in advertising: the panhandler across from the Cask 'n' Flagon holding the sign reading “Help Me Get Drunk”
- Biggest celebrity sighting: former Mayor Ray Flynn dodging traffic as he walked to the ballpark … apparently and surprisingly seemingly unnoticed
- Greatest appreciation for the park’s new sound system: during “Sweet Caroline” and “Shipping Up to Boston,” when the sellout crowd gave itself completely over to the music
- Most eye-rolling baserunning: Kevin Youkilis getting caught between third and home following David Ortiz’s RBI single
- Most lasting (physical) impression of the grandstand experience: 21st century body, 19th century seat
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