This is a detailed account of my experience…

As I walk from my hotel to Fenway, I see way too much red and way too many B’s.  I am grudgingly impressed by the amount of support that the fans in the area have for their team.  There seems to be a sea of red, like some sort of sick cult. Maybe it’s the fact that the ballpark is smaller than Yankee Stadium so the numbers seem bigger -not really sure.  As I see the ballpark in view (its hidden from the main road, as well as it should be) I like it, the green stadium looks nice and there are a bunch of bars around there - it’s the fans and the team that I don’t like. 

After getting my press pass, and trying to figure out where to go, I am led by a member of the red sox staff to the concourse where the field is and my eyes light up. It’s a lot different than Yankee Stadium; Fenway seems to be a little larger than the size of a popular minor league field with a lot of green. It’s weird because I obviously can see all of the green on TV when watching the games but it’s a lot different in person.  It really doesn’t hit you until you are there.

Currently, the Yankees are taking batting practice when I enter. I am ecstatic to be there at that moment because I have always wanted to go to Fenway and have hopes of seeing my beloved Yankees trash the sox. After seeing A-Rod hit the walk-off homer against the Indians the night before, my hopes are high.

Now, it is almost time for the national anthem, which is the reason I am there (I am a publicist for Yamaha and Tiger Okoshi is a Yamaha artist). During this time I am in a walkway with the artist, a band and some of the other people who are there for this gig. After excitedly waiting for a couple of minutes, the gate to the field majestically opens up and the band lines up getting ready to play the national anthem. I scatter to the side, being careful not to step on the grass, as instructed by the red sox staff.  This is a really cool experience.  I start to frantically text my fellow Yankee fans to let them know what’s going on and see if they have any special requests.  I also take some photos with my cell phone to remember this moment, though I really don’t think I’ll ever forget. 

A few minutes later, Curt Schilling, Boston’s starting pitcher, is warming up right next to me. I am tempted to run over and trip him. Then I remember the fact that he beat us with one leg and think that I should probably go for his arm or shoulder instead. My senses get the best of me before I actually do so. A few minutes later, Jorge Posada, the Yankees catcher, walks by as he’s warming up and I am just giddy at this point.

Finally, its Tiger Okoshi’s performance and I am in the walkway again watching him and his band perform the national anthem with a Japanese twist, as part of a tribute to Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston’s new 104 million dollar import. During the performance, I can’t help but wonder if Tiger, a red sox fan, is also putting a spell on my Yankees too. I start praying to counteract any sort of spell that may or may not have been placed.

After the performance I am told I can watch the game from the concourse so I walk around until I find myself in the right field box section, right next to the bleachers. Since it’s the start of the game I am able to grab a seat with good sightlines. I am now surrounded by the fans of the enemy. As I look around I notice the attractive female red sox fans but my allegiance to the Yankees quickly straighten me out and I pay attention to what’s happening on the field.

The game starts, and I can’t be more excited. Here I am watching a Yankees – sox game in beautiful weather. The first real action of the game comes when Yankee starter, Andy Pettitte, hits Boston outfielder Kevin Youkalis (who the red sox fans shower with “Yooooook” every time he comes to the plate for an at-bat – which sounds like booooo to all Yankee fans). Game on baby!!!

7:19 – I hear the first “let’s go red sox” chants, as my ears start to bleed.

Now Boston catcher Jason Varitek who is on my fantasy baseball team (for the league where there is a cash prize) is up. I am conflicted on whether I should root for him to do well or not. I decide not to. Note to self, I can’t deal with this conflict for another 18 games, find a way to get him off my team ASAP.

Now the Yankees are up and Johnny Damon gets a ground-out RBI.  YANKEES SCORE FIRST and the crowd gets quiet. 

Unfortunately, now I get booted from my seat and have to stand up.

Runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs – David Ortiz, aka big papi (Yankee fans call him something more vulgar) is up and the crowd really starts to get into it. Fortunately, the crowd shuts up after Ortiz grounds out to Robinson Cano.

Even better news, I have found another place to sit, this time with an even better view. Shortly after I sit, A-Rod belts a HR making all Yankee fans giddy. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he keeps this up.

Alas, I get booted from my seat again. I am now relegated to stand up in the corner. As I look to my left, I see a shorter version of tomorrow’s starting pitcher for Boston, Josh Beckett. It’s actually pretty funny to see, but I don’t say anything.

Now Varitek is up again and he homers but I am not happy.  I hear the first “Yankees Suck” chant. This lasts about 10 secs, which I think is pretty weak.

Hmmmm pretzel....

A-Rod is up at the plate again and smashes his second HR. I can’t believe it. I walk up to a fan who I noticed was rooting for the Yankees and tap him on the shoulder to give him a pound. I am flying right now, THINGS COULDN’T BE BETTER. 

Bottom of the 6th Inning – Mariano Rivera walks to the bullpen as the Yankee fans give him a standing ovation.

A few minutes later, I am entertained by a fan (who I thought was a Yankee fan) getting into a shouting match with some red sox fans in the bleachers (they are divided by a gap which means it won’t be anymore than a squabble). During the middle of the argument, the fan in my section spills beer on his girl’s lap and I start to crack up. Now he is getting abused from both sides of the stands. About 10 minutes later, I find out the fan in my section is actually a red sox fan. Now sox fans are arguing with each other which makes things that much sweeter to watch.

Bottom of the 7th Inning, runners on 1st and 2nd, nobody out – Andy Pettitte looks to be in trouble and the Yankee bullpen starts to get real busy. While the relievers are warming up, a ball escapes from the bullpen and plunks a sox fan in the right field stands. The fan isn’t hurt and I can’t stop laughing. Andy Pettitte now gets replaced and the Yankees bullpen comes through getting three straight outs without letting a run score. Crowd gets real silent except for the jubilant Yankee fans.

As the Yankees are batting in the top of the 8th I notice that soft-tossing lefty reliever for the Yankees, Mike Myers is still warming up. It seems like he’s been throwing in the pen for a half an hour. 

The sox are up now and I am two innings away from having an unbelievable night.

Then it starts to go all downhill…The red sox start to put together a rally. David Ortiz gets a big hit off Mike Myers. As hit after hit is compiled, I start to get a little more anxious. Apparently Yankee manager, Joe Torre feels the same because he breaks a vow to not use closer Mariano Rivera for more than an inning when he brings him into the game in the 8th.  Yankee fans are surprised but relieved because we are all confident that he will get the job done. The problem is that he doesn’t, and even throws a wild pitch, which is something I almost never see from him. During this time, I start to get more nervous, but it isn’t that sinking sensation that I got for game 7 of ALDS in 2004 when Boston beat us. This is different and I am still confident that we will pull through.

Its now 6-5 Yanks and the place is going nuts. Another run scores and I think the game is tied. Backup catcher, Will Nieves then guns down a runner who was trying to steal second base, and Julio Lugo strikes out as the inning ends.

Top of the 9th and it’s our turn to bat. I am still confident especially since the other Japanese import; Hideki Okajima is in the game. Yankee fans don’t know much about him so there is still hope. The problem is that we wish we never faced him. Some runners get on base but he shuts us down without letting any runs score. Additionally, to my shock the game is over. Apparently, I wasn’t paying enough attention to the scoreboard and the sox scored so many runs so quickly, I forgot to notice that the score was actually 7-6 Boston. I am stunned and can’t believe what I just saw.  Boston fans everywhere are going nuts and I am left walking to my room in disbelief over the fact that we blew the game. It’s okay though, it was an amazing night – one that I’ll never forget -- and there’s always tomorrow.

Have any comments about my experience or want to hear me talk about a particular topic in sports? Email me at vdawgg_rgx@yahoo.com .