Once in a Lifetime
Although I currently live in Colorado, I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I was inducted into the cult of Red Sox fandom at a young age, attending games at Fenway with my grandmother and uncle. I have many fond memories of that time: seeing Carl Yastrzemski hit his 300th homerun, watching Jim Rice pick the grass in front of the Green Monster, and scarfing many a Fenway frank (the kind that had been wrapped in foil and stewed in its own juices until the bun was soggy).
This year a family emergency brought me back to New England during the ALCS. I devotedly watched each game against the Indians, wondering how the Sox were going to blow it this time. Even 2004 couldn’t erase the trepidation suffered by most long-time fans. Meanwhile, I kept tabs on the Rockies’ unexpected and phenomenal post-season run.
When it was official that the Red Sox were headed back home, my husband suggested that we try to get tickets to Game 6. After all, how often is it that you get to see the Red Sox in a post-season game at Fenway? A phone call to a ticket reseller and several hundred dollars later, we had our tickets. There’s nothing quite like the energy and magic of Fenway Park, particularly when Curt Schilling is on the mound. The Red Sox dominated that game and there was much reveling in the streets. Unfortunately, I was unable to watch Game 7 as I was on a plane back to Colorado. The pilot was nice enough to update us on the final score, however.
The Rockies had announced that World Series tickets would go on sale solely online. I figured seeing the Red Sox live in the World Series would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I, along with half of Colorado, spent my Monday morning trying to score a ticket. It quickly became apparent that the website was not functioning as anticipated. Once the technical difficulties were cleared up, the tickets went on sale again Tuesday at noon. Although it was a long, annoying process that devoured my entire lunch hour, my patience was rewarded. I had a ticket to Game 4.
I was the envy of everyone at work. They had all tried, but I had succeeded. It was then that the trash talk began. When they discovered that I was not going to the game to root for the Rockies, I was told that I did not deserve my ticket. I told them I was going to the game in which the Red Sox would sweep the Rockies. That may have been a tad bitchy…
I drove up to Denver early that Sunday, hoping to beat the crowds. I was not early enough. There were huge lines at the gates and merchandise tents. I picked up my ticket at the Will Call window and stepped into one of those long lines. By the time I reached the front of the line they only had two T-shirts left that mentioned both the Rockies and the Red Sox. They were both XXL. I bought them anyway. A small stack of programs for family back in Massachusetts and a woman’s long-sleeved shirt rounded out my purchases.
That was the beginning and end of my quest for souvenirs. Once inside the stadium I discovered that there was a line just to get into the main gift shop. Since there were so many people I could barely move, I gave up on shopping and concentrated my efforts on locating my seat. This turned out to be more difficult than I would have thought as there were no signs to direct me to my section. I pushed my way through the Rockies fans with purple hair and the Red Sox fans bearing brooms until I finally found a promising set of stairs. I did have to resort to asking for directions to my section, however.
Never having sat in the Club Level before, I was surprised when I was told to go through a set of glass doors. Beyond the doors, the din and crush of humanity disappeared. The concession stands were enclosed in a wall of glass, the floor carpeted. I was starving at this point, so I picked up a foot-long bratwurst before making my way through another set of doors to Section 219, Row 6, Seat 3. It was then that I discovered a menu at my seat. I could have placed an order for my bratwurst and had someone bring it to me. Oh well.
Coors Field is a beautiful park, with trees in the bullpens and views of mountains to the west. The stadium was a little different from the last time I was there – June 21st when the Rockies swept the Yankees (insert evil giggle here). The air was much crisper, although thankfully not as cold as the previous day, and the vines climbing the wall in front of the Rockpile were turning a majestic shade of red.
Before the game began, the Hank Aaron Award was presented by Hank Aaron to the best hitters in each league: Prince Fielder of the Brewers for the National League and Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees for the American League. A-Rod earned the ire of the crowd, along with a resounding chorus of boos, when he did not show up to accept this honor. I guess the thrill wears off after having already won three times previously. Prince Fielder, son of Cecil Fielder, seemed extremely proud, on the other hand.
This ceremony was followed by the national anthem sung by country star Trisha Yearwood. Reminiscent of the pre-game activities we witnessed at a Rockies opening day game several years ago, the national anthem was accompanied by an Air Force flyover, a gigantic flag, fireworks, and the releasing of purple, white, and black balloons.
It didn’t take long for the Red Sox to strike first. Leadoff batter, Jacoby Ellsbury, fired one down the left field line for a double. A David Ortiz single gave the Red Sox the first run of the night. I will admit to being self-conscious when it came to cheering. Doing so seemed the equivalent of talking too loudly in a library. A subdued Coors Field crowd expended their energy booing Ortiz, and especially Manny Ramirez, and cheering whenever either of those two players made an out.
Aaron Cook settled down in the second with a 1-2-3 inning. This earned the appreciation of Rockies fans. Television viewers may have noticed the occasional towel waving. No, they weren’t waving the white flag of surrender. Upon entering the stadium we were each given a small, white towel sponsored by Sharp Aquos. The towel read “Rocktober” and bore the logos of the Colorado Rockies, the World Series, and Major League Baseball. Screens throughout the park directed people to wave their towels at appropriate times. Not being one to wave a piece of cloth just because I am told to, and also being a Red Sox fan, my towel remained tucked safely away in my bag.
There was some excitement in my section during the second when a man in my row, only three seats away, caught a foul ball hit by Ryan Spilborgs. The lucky fan was gracious enough to pass around the ball so we could all see the World Series logo.
With the exception of another Boston run, courtesy of Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek, in the fifth, all was quiet until the seventh. Cook and Jon Lester both turned out impressive performances.
Throughout the pitching duel it became apparent that Coors Field’s atmosphere was very different from Fenway Park’s. In a rowdy, almost prayer meeting-like fashion, the Fenway faithful spent as much time standing as they did sitting. In contrast, Rockies fans spent the majority of the time warming their seats and actually shouted at others, including children, to sit down when they stood for too long. The fans were not completely docile, however. The reserved setting was periodically punctuated by chants of “Tulo” for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and “MVP” for left fielder Matt Holliday.
The seventh inning was when things got interesting. Mike Lowell homered in the top of the inning and the Rockies finally made it onto the scoreboard when Brad Hawpe hit a homerun. The crowd turned ugly in the eighth when Bobby Kielty, pinch hitting for pitcher Mike Timlin, turned the first pitch into the third homerun of the night. Brian Fuentes was resoundingly booed for allowing the run, while everyone around me was cursing the name of Rockies’ manager Clint Hurdle for sending him out to pitch in such an important game after his disastrous outing on Saturday.
The Rockies made it competitive and kept the hope alive in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run homer by Garrett Atkins. It was not enough. A scoreless ninth ended in a 4-3 victory for the Sox with Seth Smith making the final out.
My section went dead silent as the Red Sox took to the field in celebration. I stayed at my seat for a while hoping they would show the ceremonies presenting the World Series and MVP trophies, but the PA system was shut down and the big screen showed only a thank you message for the Rockies’ fans.
It became clear that Red Sox Nation was gathering around the visitors’ dugout. I worked my way down to that area, listening to a spontaneous rendition of “Sweet Caroline” sung by the other fans also on their way to the congregation. It was hard to tell what was going on with so many people on the infield, but I did catch a glimpse of Mike Lowell with his MVP trophy and various Red Sox team members holding the World Series trophy. The fans went crazy every time a player came into view. They were very vocal about their desires for the Sox to re-sign Lowell and not to try to sign A-Rod.
I finally left the stadium around midnight. I did have to go to work the following day, after all. I didn’t make it home until 1:30 am. I was completely exhausted the next day and I’m not sure I’ve recovered yet, but it was worth it.
After work, I bought out every local newspaper at every gas station between my place of business and home. I thought family and friends might get a kick out of the local game coverage. My favorite headline came from The Gazette of Colorado Springs: “Rocky Horror.” So much joy for only 50 cents…
The Rockies are a young and talented team. They should be proud of everything they achieved this year. I was a little sad for them when I saw that all of the Rockies post-season merchandise was marked down 30-50% the day after the World Series ended. I wasn’t so sad that I couldn’t buy some Rockies vs. Red Sox T-shirts. I also broke down and bought an NLCS champions shirt. Did I mention it was half off? Plus, it was purple.
I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to be present at a World Series game, let alone one in which my favorite team won it all. It was truly an unforgettable and thrilling experience. My only regret is that the man I love could not be there to share it with me.