Earlier in the year, we won a silent auction of 4 tickets to sit on top of the Green Monster. The tickets are very hard to get and unless you know someone, you most likely won't get the opportunity. We decided that it would be a great idea to incorporate the baseball game into a long weekend in one of our favorite cities, recognizing that it would probably be awhile before we get back to Boston.
After checking in, we headed to the area surrounding the park. Nachos at the Cask N Flagon were just as good as our last visit.
We invited Marc and Monica to join us as we had 4 tickets. With a horrible weather forecast for the day that we selected to use the tickets, we purchased tickets from someone selling on the street. It was a win win and we ended up being able to see 2 games. They are huge Tampa Bay fans but appreciated the park as they love the game.
We were sitting on the 1st base side and got to see a lot of Youklis. Love that we were able to get a picture of Youklis' batting stance with Papi in the warm-up circle. We may or may not have gotten scolded to get the first/closer than what we were picture...
There was a rain delay and we stopped into a bar and were able to enjoy all of the fun as the Sox came back to win the game and Papelbon got another save despite walking the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th. Even though we weren't in the park, the celebration was just as big. They played all of the music that they do in the park and it was CRAZY!!!
We did some sight seeing with Marc and Monica including a trip to the Bull and Finch for lunch and stocked up on rain gear as the forecast was accurate for a rainy day. It was a little cooler which didn't bother us at all.
We were led the a series of elevators and stairs to get to our seats but it was amazing to be sitting on top of the Monster. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience that we are so happy to have had the opportunity to enjoy. We sold the extra tickets to a father and his daughter who were from Florida and Red Sox obsessed.
Our view from the Monstah! Clay Bucholz followed Josh Beckett's performance from the prior night and did not disappoint.
There is nothing like the ball getting handed over to Papelbon to get the save when you are sitting in the park. The music - "Shipping up to Boston", the crowd and EVERYBODY and I do mean EVERYBODY jumping up and down (including the seriously pregnant mama along with her A and B) so that it feels as though the stadium shaking is something that any baseball fan should get to experience regardless of what team you are rooting for.
We did do some sightseeing.... an abbreviated Freedom Trail tour due to the pregnancy limitations. Our trip in July to Philadelphia made this mama painfully aware of the distress that walking too much can put on your body. We took lots of breaks and enjoyed a leisurely stroll opting to skip the Beacon Hill portion in favor of an Italian Festival in the North End.
The public gardens.
The Ducklings from Make Way for Ducklings. We hope that the boys will enjoy this story.
Stopping for some chowder and oysters at the Ye Olde Union Oyster House.
