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Fenway Park itinerary by Wise Guides

A visit to Fenway Park is a baseball purist's dream, and the best way to get there is on the T. Take the Green Line to the Commonwealth Avenue stop, which is a short walk to the park. ... And get there early so you can look around and pop into one of the local watering holes. Right across the street from Fenway is the Cask N Flagon, home base for Red Sox Nation. If there's a long line, walk up the block to Boston Beer Works, where they have good food and brew their own beer. ... It's right across the street from the entrance to Yawkey Way, which is the next stop. Leave time before first pitch to hang on this street that runs along the west side of Fenway. It's open only to ticket holders and has a festival-like atmosphere. ... Try one of the grilled sausages with peppers and onions or the Cuban sandwich at El Tiante, named in honor of ex-Sox pitcher Luis Tiant, who may be on hand to sign an autograph and pose for a picture. ... When it's time to head into the game, grab a scorecard inside the front gate and keep score during the game. It'll make a nice keepsake from the day and Sox fans, maybe the most passionate and knowledgeable in baseball, will appreciate the effort. ... Sure, they have the 7th inning stretch at Fenway, but the real action happens an inning later. So, in the middle of the 8th stand up and belt out the chorus to Neil Diamond's “Sweet Caroline,” which is repeated with vigor by the Fenway faithful: “So good, so good, so good!” ... After the game, linger off the beaten path a bit to Thornton's Fenway Grille, which has good eats and is a perfect spot for summer time with its outdoor seating. ... If you're looking to make it a late night, head back toward Fenway where there are a number of places along Lansdowne Street right behind the park, including Jake Ivory's Piano Bar, the Tiki Room and Jillian's, which offers pool, video games, bowling and other types of entertainment.

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Boston Red Sox - User Comments Add your own

Fenway Rocks -- 2006-06-23

I'd take a game at Fenway any day over any other park in the country. The excitement that surrounds it is amazing. The fans are rabid, the new sound system is awesome. I sat in the grandstands behind home plate and it wasn't all that bad really. To the writer who complained about the grime on the floor, well that's what happens when you sell out every game and the stadium is being used to it's full capacity day in and day out. Maybe the Metrodome or Camden Yards wouldn't be so pretty if it got some more use.

Jonathan Rice

John Kiley -- 2006-06-20

Any one who is a real Red Sox Fan will remember (if you are old enough)John Kiley and his wonderful organ music. Why not play a recording of John Kiley's the National Anther at the start of each game. What a tribute this would be to John and the Red Sox

Mark Jacob Vinette

not a game, an event -- 2004-12-25

Going to Fenway is not just going to a game, it is an event. So much fun plus if you sit in the last row of the right field bleachers, you can see all. Neighborhood ballpark with great surrounding area and close walking distance to landmarks as Cheers. Easy to take using the 'T'. Only cost a buck or two for round trip.

I was in awe of the place when I was there and can't wait to head back.

A little tough to find when you get off of the 'T', but you just follow the crowds and find it.

Michael Sloane

One of the best but.... -- 2004-12-22

From what I saw from the bleachers...

Wonderful park brings a great feel of the old pastime. However, of all of the parks I have been to this park has by far the worst pizza. I know pizza is not what you go for, but its lousy at Fenway. Really Awful.

Also, the experience outside of the park before game is great, get their early and walk around the park and its shops. The fans outside the park are really into the team and are true fans. The fans inside the park when I went were some of the dullest I've seen. Way too many preppie business people and not enough baseball fans. It's worth going in to see the park and watch a game, but I might reccommend watching the game from one of the local bars within walking distance of the park, where apparently all of the true Sox fans watch the game.

Neil

1967 World Series -- 2004-08-09

I was born in Spencer, Massachusetts in 1950, and started following the Red Sox at a very young age. Even though I now live in California, I've been a Red Sox fan all my life.

My most memorable game was Game 1 of the 1967 World Series at Fenway Park. I had never missed a day of school, but my friend Eddie Plumley and I decided to skip school to take in the game.

We hid under his bed until his mother left for work, and then off to the game we went. We had no tickets, but we felt sure we could get one when we got to the park. The game was sold out, but we were not deterred. We bought our tickets from a scalper. We knew it was illegal to buy from a scalper but we were going to get in the park at any cost. And cost us it did. If I remember correctly, Standing Room Only tickets had a face value of $15.00, but I believe we paid $75.00 for them. It doesn�t seem like much now, but that was more than fifty hours of after school work at the then $1.40 per hour minimum wage.

The game itself was rather boring because it was low scoring, and disappointing because the Red Sox lost 2 to 1. Bob Gibson started for St. Louis, and Jose Santiago was his mound opponent. The Cardinals scored a run in the third inning, but Santiago himself tied the game with a solo homer in the bottom of the inning. It remained tied 1 to 1 until the seventh inning, when Lou Brock singled, stole second base, and came around to score on a pair of infield outs. That's the way it ended, a 2 to 1 win by St. Louis.

Even though the Red Sox lost the game, and the series, it is a memory I�ll have for a lifetime.

If the Red Sox should win a World Series before I die, I�d be very happy. If not, my headstone should say �Hey Boston, I�m still waiting!�

Sam Maher

Yankee fan loves Fenway -- 2004-07-11

I've been to Fenway several times, and yes, it is old and cramped, but that is "the glass is half-empty" thinking. After getting off the green line subway for the first time, I wondered where was Fenway? I knew it was close, and just followed the crowd when all of a sudden, I'm on a little bridge looking down the throat of the Green Monster! As much as I hate the Sox, their fans are nearly as savvy as New York fans (except for their fatalistic viewpoint of sports and their choice of a team). If you have never been to Fenway, then you ought to get there before they decide to replace it. Remember, Fenway was built in 1912 - this ballpark is actually old enough to have seen Babe Ruth pitch the Sox to their final World Series Championship! As Yankee fans like to say to Sox fans, "1918"!

My fondest experience was sitting in the centerfield bleachers with a Sox fan during a rain delay. After the scoreboard showed the two of us braving the weather all alone, they rewarded me by showing the Yankees game on the scoreboard!

mike brennan

Fenway's great! -- 2002-10-31

I've only been to Fenway the one time, but I was lucky enough to be there for Derek Lowe's no-hitter against the D-Rays. Sure, the park is run down and grimy but thats all part of the character. I managed to bag a seats right down at field level and had a great time with some really friendly, knowledgeable fans. I would recommend a day game at Fenway to anyone as one of the great American experiences. However, its a shame its so expensive (I'm an A's fan who's been spoilt by one dollar Wednesdays!)

Richard Smith

Fenway is Unreal -- 2002-07-13

Last summer me and 4 of my buddies made the trip from Pittsburgh up to Boston to see if Fenway was all it was cracked up to be. It is that and then some. Being from the Burgh I'm very partial to our PNC Park, but Fenway is in a class by itself. I've been to Wrigley (Great Park) and Yankee Stadium (Great Park) and 8 other pro parks, but this New England gem is above all. Of course the game was sold out so we had to pay 50 dollars for tickets, but they were worth every penny, they were about 20 rows from the first base line, and we got to see 4 bombs hit over the monster, what a great site (this was the game where Carl Everett told Jamie Moyer what he thought of him). Sure our backs were sore after sitting through 11 innings in wood seats, but that was all worth it when the picture of all of us touching the green monster was developed. Just a great, great experience, If you love baseball, you'll love Fenway. And make sure you pick up a "Yankees ****" or a "Nomars Better" shirt after the game.

Jeff

Give me a break -- 2002-07-12

I can't believe all of you people really believe all of that nostalgic garbage about Fenway. Simply put, the place is a dump. The seats are tiny as hell and if you're over 5 foot 6, your knees are guaranteed to be sore by the 5th inning. Also, the right field grandstand seats are not recommended for anyone with a history of whiplash, as they face out to centerfield and you have to watch 90% of the game with your head turned to the left. I won't complain about the concessions because if you want filet mignon at a ballpark, you're an idiotic yuppie who doesn't deserve the ticket you paid a ridiculous amount for.

That brings me to my next point. The tickets are insanely expensive and as a result, the "knowledgeable fans" that all these people speak so reverently of get shunted off to the bleachers, the last place where there are relatively affordable tickets. The nostalgia idiocy that grips New England is more responsible for driving up prices than anything else. The Sox could go 0-162 and they would still sell out every game because people go there for the "Fenway Experience". These aren't true baseball fans. They're a bunch of disillusioned baby boomers with their spoiled brat kids who want to go to park simply to say they've gone and relive the "good old days" of old-time baseball, when the Sox were even worse than they are now. If you doubt me look at attendance records. The Sox only started selling routinely out when the baby boomers came of age. The good seats are all taken up by corporations or yuppies, take your pick. I can't even tell you how many times I've watched a game on TV and seen some moron behind home plate with a cell phone waving into camera. This obviously happens everywhere, but Boston is the worst offender. Don't blame the owners for jacking up prices. Blame the idiots who will buy the tickets no matter how good or bad the team is.

Aaron

New Era for Famous Fenway -- 2002-07-02

Hey People! Fenway Park is cramped and crowded, I've seen a Sox game 12 times in 6 years, the tickets are alot of money. The Sox owners added 400 seats a couple days before Opening Day 2002 and they are also thinking about adding 3-5 rows of seats above the 37.6 foot Green Monster. By the way, Prices are high because of the New Era of Fenway and the money goes to Fenway for repairs, also three years ago, old owner John H. thought about a new stadium to be built in 2003 or 2004 but the new owners might deined the plan.

Grady Congleton

!st Game after the Terror attack -- 2001-09-22

I attended the 1st game after the attack on 9/11. It was a very moving experience to watch our national pastime with so many other americans after such a devastating event. The stadium is small compared to the others I've been in. ( Yankee Stadium, Shea and Veterans, but it makes for good views of the action. I was fortunate enough to get tickets for the luxury box and I can tell you that't the way to watch a game!

Paul Bullock

Rebuild it, don't remove it. -- 2001-09-14

Logistically it might be a nightmare, however I would like to see some attempt at renovating Fenway, keep the field and the monster, but wipe out the bowl and put in new seating, add an upperdeck without all of those damn columns. Add some new club houses for god sake. After a recent rainstorm, players had to wade through knee deep water to reach the field, who would want to play under these conditions. If this can't be done, sad to say, lets build a new one.

Andy Jewell

Ain't That America! -- 2001-08-17

Fenway is one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime! Sure, there's a little grime on the floors, the seats are crowded and the tickets aren't the cheapest in the world, but there is an aura about the place that can't be met anywhere! It's a shame that people want to tear it down...let's face it, that's all about money and not the history of baseball. If it is an "outdated park" then replace the seats, fix the plumbing in the bathrooms and paint the floors! The truth of the matter is the powers that be want to sell 10,000 more tickets a game!

There aren't too many other parks left that has the history of Fenway. The fans are great, it's a blast before and after the games walking around the park, and obstructed views or not, every seat is a great seat!

By the way, don't forget to stop at the "Peanut Man" vendor...pick up some pistachios on your way into the park...he's the guy singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

Tracy Dumont

First visit to Fenway -- 2001-08-14

Just got back from an 8 day, 6 stadium East Coast road trip. Fenway Park lived up to and surpassed all my expectations. I paid $30 for a seat in the RF corner, 7 rows up. I'm sat with my feet underneath the seat in front of me - it wasn't as bad on my legs and I feared (I'm 6'2"). The park is small so the seats are incredibly close to the field. I've never seen so many balls (foul and fair) that actually flew out of the stadium. The atmosphere outside before the game was the best I've ever been around - I got a delicious sausage for a good price. Had a big, hand-squeezed lemonade inside - tasty! The Monster and hand-operated scoreboard were cool. It was sorta dingy/dirty, but that's not a minus for me, adds to the character.

Plusses: Atmosphere - before, during, after!!! The crowd was the most knowledge about baseball as a whole (not just the Sox) and really into the game. The park itself has the best/most character of anypark I've seen. Minuses: Ticket Prices are outrageous (even reg. price is high). Seating (as a whole) is cramped and crowded, sightlines (beams) aren't always great. Worth the price - easily 4.5-5 out of 5.

John Branstad

My Fenway Trip -- 2001-08-11

I went to my first game at Fenway last week and absolutly loved it. I sat in the third to last row in the rightcenter bleachers. Surprisingly, they were not as bad as they sound. The seats were very cramped but its part of the old park feel. The food prices were pretty normal for a baseball game today. The only one that was really bad was $4.25 for a bottle of water. It is a magical place that i suggest for everyone. I might be a little nice to the park becasue i saw the best game I ever have that included a grand slam, triple play, and 3 other huge homers but I just loved being there. Out of the 11 current stadiums I've been to, this slightly edges Wrigley for my favorite. One thing to note is that like all old parks, you can't leave the bleachers.

Scott Bolohan

classic but has to go! -- 2001-08-07

first of all i love fenway been going since 68 but,it has to go having sat all around the park i can tell you the seats are horrible no leg room whatsoever.the restrooms are deplorable concessions are ok.we fans who have supported the team over the years deserve a first class facility.people dont know this but back when ted williams was playing they had ads on the green monster.everybody takes the t to the game great atmosphere.definetly checkout the cask`n flagon

djromano

Fenway Park -- 2001-08-06

I made my first and only trip to Fenway less then a week ago, watching the Sox lose to Anaheim 4-2 (Wednesday, August 1). It was my fifth career stadium, and I think, despite it's old time feel, it was probably the worst one yet. I know it's a trip that every baseball fan should make, but with the game sold out, it was TOO TINY! The seats were small and by the fifth, my back hurt. People were still coming in the seventh inning, an endless line of people obstructing my view of home plate. Maybe I just had bad seats. Anyway, it was nice, my hotel room was across the street from the Stadium, so that was cool.

John Painting

Fenway is a dump -- 2001-08-04

I've been to Fenway Park twice, and I don't agree that it is a baseball Heaven...more like Hell!

The seats are expensive, very small width, and poorly positioned, bad angles, etc...the only place to see a game is from the last two sections on the third base side (in left field).

Tear it down!...blow it up!...soon!

RC

NYC-Boston to fenway. -- 2001-08-02

Door-to-gate from my apartment in NYC, Fenway Park is a 4.5 hour trip by public transportation. In other words: it can be day trip. Speaking from experience, its entirely possible to wake up on a nice day, hop a Greyhound or Amtrak, and arrive at Fenway in time for an afternoon game. This is a particularly good idea when the Yanks are playing the BoSox....indeed it might result in the best day of your life.

Warning: be prepared to shell out lots of $$$$ for tickets if its Sox-Yanks and Pedro is on the mound. I paid $100 a ticket, probably got ripped off, but ended up with fantastic seats just behind 3rd base.

When you consider that Shea Stadium can easily be a 1-1.5 hour subway ride from the residential parts of Manhattan, its not THAT much more inconvenient to go all the way to Boston. Either way, the game basically eats up your whole day, and Fenway is, well, Fenway.

dave

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly? -- 2001-08-01

I love and hate Fenway park. As a true baseball fan I sincerely do love it. But as a man shelling out $30 for an uncomforaable seat with a pole in the way, I hate it. I love the atmosphere and the fans, but come on. Why pay a ridiculous amount of money to be uncomfortable for three hours? Every other park I have been to has been much more enjoyable that Fenway. This includes other old school parks(Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field), even if they have been remodeled.

Alex F

Alex F

Fenway is Heaven, and I get to die 28 days a year -- 2001-07-29

First, a preface. I hold a weekend Season Ticket to the World's Greatest Ballpark, so, maybe I'm a little biased. However, Fenway is the World's Greatest Ballpark! I love the fact that George Herman Ruth, Ty Cobb, Lefty Grove, Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, and Arquemides Pozo once played there. I love the fact that I saw the 1999 All-Star Game there. I love the fact that my Bleacher seat ( didja think I was made of money?) is wide enough to comfortably hold my 240 lbs of girth. I also love the sausage vendors (see "girth", above), the real organ playing tunes (May God rest your soul, John Kiley), and the fact that I'm a 40 minute walk away from the World's Greatest Ballpark. The day that they tear down our jewel of New England, when you hear a sniffle, it's coming from me. Sincerely, Tom Wolongevicz Come on up to Section 40, Row 12, Seat 8 (on the aisle), identify yourself as a site member, and your next beer's on me.

Tom Wolongevicz

A great place!!! -- 2001-07-27

I think this is one of the most beautiful places to see a baseball game. I've been here several times and seen the Sox play some great games. Though I am a Yankee fan, this ballpark is an absolute classic. My older brother lives in Boston and is a diehard Sox fan. We saw a few games back in 1998. Sox-Jays and Sox-A's. I saw Mo Vaughn hit a homerun that went over the green monster so fast and so far I thought it was going to land in the Charles. Always get a few beers at the Cask-n-Flagon and a couple of sausage sandwiches on Lansdowne St. Ahhhh, now I'm ready to see a game!

Jman

The concessions are not what is important -- 2001-07-24

Fenway is quite possibly the best ballpark in baseball. The atmosphere, quality of the game, and the old time look make it so. I have a hard time understanding how a 5 oz. beer makes a ballpark awful. If you want beer so bad, go to a local bar and watch the game on TV. And as far as TV's not being at every concession stand, were you even at the park? Every time I've been at a concession stand, there has been a TV to watch the game. Fortunately, Fenway Park has not been commercialized to the point of laughter like many of the new parks going up today. For a great baseball experience, visit Fenway Park. *And for all the Yankee fans bashing the Red Sox, go back and see how many players the Yankees got from the Red Sox to win those W.S. titles.

Bill

A True Classic -- 2001-07-21

Hey! I was at that game when the Yanks beat up on my Sox 22-1. In fact, I was one of the 6,000 or so faithful yelling "Yankees ****" in the ninth inning down 21 runs...

Anyway, the Fen IS dirty, the seats ARE crowded, the tickets ARE expensive, and there's probably going to be an I-beam in the way, and I wouldn't change a thing. It's our park and our history. If that's not enough for you, it's a great place to watch one of the most storied franchises in baseball with some of the greatest fans there are.

{OK, I'm a bit of a homer}

Erich Heard

Great, but Wrigley's better -- 2001-07-18

I agree with much of "Old School" and "Best Park In Baseball" said, but I'm sorry...Wrigley is clearly superior.

Many complain about Fenway being dirty, the seats being small and old...well, it was built in the 80 years ago, what do you expect.

My problem? There are many seats in Fenway (in the right field corner and bleachers) that make the roof tops at Wrigley look close to the action. I sat down the right field line even with the foul pole and felt I needed field glasses. I can't imagine what the bleachers are like.

I must admit the Sox fans are great. We saw the Yanks smash the BoSox 22-1 last Summer, and the New York fans were all over them. But they took it in stride.

The reasons why every fan must go to Fenway are: 1)the food and atmosphere outside the stadium is fantastic and unmatched. Great Sausage sandwiches, 2) it gives you an excuse to go to Boston, one of America's great cities, 3)they are going to tear it down soon, and you owe it to your grandchildren to describe it to them.

Tom Clark

Nostalgia at its best -- 2001-07-17

I went to Fenway this past May for my 21st birthday. Tried to get Yankee ticks but had to settle for the Blue Jays. I sat 15 rows directly behind homeplate. Unfortunately I had to pay $45 for the ticket. That was the only downfall I could find. Come to find out however, the game was the Boston Red Sox 100th anniversary game. What a highlight!

Being from St. Louis, I am a follower of Brian Daubach. It was great to see the home town guy. He even hit a homerun the day I was there which I accidentally caught on film. Pure Luck!

Being there was like being thrown back to 1918. Seeing the Green Monster, sitting in those seats, viewing the stadium from inside and out. There isn't and never will be another stadium like it.

I could have died that day, right in my seat. Blue sky, 70 degrees, Red Sox won, Daubach's game winner, it was euphoric. Out of all the games I have seen, this was the best. It transformed me from a Sox follower to a Sox Fan.

Thank You Fenway!

Phil

Best Park in Baseball -- 2001-07-14

Fenway Park is a place of pure baseball and you can feel that right when you come out of the tunnel. You are so close to the players that you feel like your on the field. The Red Sox fans are diehards and the most knowledgeable fans in Baseball. That is the true Red Sox fans not the fair weather fans. It is in an awsome location right in the heart of Boston called Fenway. There are venders on the street and souveneir shops everywhere. In closing Fenway has a feeling like no other place in the world the feeling of Baseball. You will love it.

Dave Kleberg

Old School -- 2001-07-13

Before going to a game at Fenway, you must ask yourself a simple question: Why am I going? If you are going to enjoy the next three hours watching skilled athletes perform at their peak, then you are in luck. Fenway gives you the best seats in the world to do that. If you're going to be entertained by moronic scoreboard games, dueling cartoons and guys launching t-shirts from a giant catapult, then skip Fenway and go see a game in another stadium.

Walking into Fenway is truly like walking back in time. Seats are close to the field, with players so close that you feel as if they can hear you talking sometimes. There are many chances to snag a foul ball. The only music is some organ music between innings. There is no hard rock or Eminem-style rap before each at bat, and you don't have to listen to Queen's "We Will Rock You" or endure the Beatles' "Help" whenever the visiting team removes a pitcher.

Fenway is about baseball. Fans actually watch the game and get there in time for the first pitch. The seats are full and the fans stand and cheer when the Sox take the field in the top of the first.

Most of all, Red Sox fans know baseball. Sox fans will gripe about advancing runners, managerial moves, and taking the extra base. This is not a New York wine and cheese crowd that shows up during the third inning, leaves in the sixth and has no idea what is happening.

Fenway reflects the passion and love for the game of baseball that Red Sox fans shower on the Olde Towne Team. It is a perfectly suited home for Red Sox Nation to come and support the team. The park has an electricity during a blowout in May that most other stadiums (and I've been to them all) don't have during an October playoff game.

When they knock down Fenway, I will bid it a fond farewell. It has served its purpose and left me (and many others) with a lifetime of fond (and some very painful) memories.

Michael

The milk carton has got to go....But it is a beautiful park! -- 2001-07-10

I went to Fenway last weekend to see the Sox play the Braves. Fenway is an absolutely beautiful park, but they should get rid of the tacky Hood milk carton in right field. In my opinion it destroys the integrity of a park that is so rich with history and tradition. Do you think Ruth or Williams would have liked the milk carton and its flashing lights evertime they got a hit? I don't think so....

Overall though it was a great experience! Ten more to go for me and I will visited them all.

Lily

Favorite Place in the World -- 2001-07-09

Who ever has submitted a negative comment with regards to Fenway Park obviously has no historic sense and has no appreciation for the game of baseball. Sure, the seats are cramped and the place is expensive but we here in Boston are willing to deal with that for the sake of watching our beloved Red Sox play day after day in the most fun ball park in the country. If you are sitting with someone who knows their stuff they could probably spend the entire game telling you about the great baseball stories that took place at Fenway, the history behind each of the intricicies of the park etc. I love the place and I will be sad, but understanding when it goes. (so long as the new park dosen't go far)

Dave

David Stevenson

My visit to the Fens -- 2001-07-06

My visit to the Fens was planned long in advance. I had outfield tix right behind visitor bullpen. Took the train (subway) which was direct and hassle free.

I was watching the Red Sox slowly fall behind (permanantly, for the day) to the Mil Brewers, when a group of 40 highly intoxicated 'fans' arrived and threw beer on all around them, and each other. Nothing else to do, I suppose.

Poeple used to describe Cleveland stadium as 'dirty,' etc...Fenway Park appeared to be in the center of a sanitation strike (as did, incidently, the subway car I rode in)...if the place is so important in a historical sense, why is it trashed? Why weren't people just a little more careful about their trash and garbage?

Also, why only a 5oz tap beer? You can buy 4 12oz bottles (plastic) at the new PNC in Pittsburgh for a scant $21 and have some fun!! Aren't the fans trusted to control themselves? Hope a new park is on the way!! FJ

Flaco Jimenez

Fenway, a great ballpark -- 2001-06-28

Fenway is not a dump or a pit, but a great ballpark to go and see baseball. Sure, it has its problems, but it is much better to go there than see a new park that's a pathetic copy of Camden Yards and that is named after a corporate sponsor.

Billy

-- 2001-06-25

The place is a pit. The seats are small with no leg room. And the rows are very long some being 40 seats long in the grandstands. This means that you either have to crawl all over everyone to get out of your seat or have everyone climb all over you. The concessions are few and no beer is served in the stands. Instead the Fenway faithful constantly climb out of their rows to grab the 2 beer limit (5oz each). By the time they reach their seats its back to the beer lines (20 minutes). There is only one concession stand in Fenway that has a TV to watch while you are in line and no radio is broadcast in the hallways as other parks do.

My suggestion is observe at home on TV if so inclined.

dave

elbow room -- 2001-06-16

these days, with a fan frenzy about the sox like never before, fenway is SO overcrowded each and every game. it is great when there are 22,000 - 26,000 people; plenty of room for everyone. now, with 33,000+ EVERY game, it is impossible to be comfortable crunched in your tiny seat in a tiny row for three hours. it takes an inning and a half to get a beer, another inning to go pee pee, and with the average ticket price TWICE that of the league's, well i ain't goin' no more. not 'til they start to suck again, like the good old days. but the fan electricity you feel on every pitch (especially if pedro is pitching), the intensity unmatched ANYWHERE in america, makes it all worth it.

Pluribus

Getting there -- and getting tickets -- 2001-06-14

First of all -- if are from out of town and you are making your first pilgrammage to Fenway it's really worth remembering a few things:

1- take the T to the game because parking/driving to the game is a ripoff and a gridlock nightmare. if you MUST drive to the game park in Brookline up along Beacon Street or on Commonwealth Ave. or go the Prudential Center garage ($10-ish). Then walk to the game (it's about a 15 minute walk and it's a lot cheaper than paying $20 to be blocked in at a Mobil station).

2- when you are going for the first time i would definitely recommend paying the extra $ and getting tickets between sections 11 and 30. all of the seats in right field are either too far away or facing away from the action (sect. 5-8 are facing the bullpens and center field -- yikes) also, bleacher tix (sect 34-43) are cheap and fun but not for the first time going to a game. they are too far away from the action and you can't really appreciate the park 500 feet from home plate. also, the tix in the above mentioned sections (11-30) are some of the best in baseball. you are very close to the action and the sight lines are great (unless you are behind a pole).

so that's what i'd say. i've been averaging about 20 games a year at fenway for the last 15 years. i'm sure some of the old timers would be able to give a perspective of how it used to be before the 600 club and the centerfield scoreboard.

Marty

"Friendly Fenway" -- 2001-06-13

That's how the Sox promote it and it's truly "friendly". I just saw my Detroit Tigers play the Red Sox and it was great. Tickets are hard to get because (1) the Sox are doing well this season and (2) Fenway doesn't hold many people. Still, we got $25 obstructed view seats that were closer and better than the $25 seats available at Comerica Park! Fenway is definitely for the baseball purist---no carousels, ferris wheels, goofy between inning games or annoying music used to stimulate the fans. The ushers were very considerate also---they didn't chase us out of the park as soon as the game was over. We were allowed to walk down to the Monster to get a close up view. Even as they were turning out the lights, the usher wished us a good evening. Prices seemed in line except for the hot dogs. Those were a bit steeper. Getting to the park by car was difficult---you will definitely want to take advantage of Boston's excellent mass transit system. All in all, Boston has a jewel. Hopefully, Red Sox fans will have some influence when the decision for a new park is made.

David Seeley

-- 2001-06-08

Fenway Park is the best ballpark I have ever been to. Yes it is old, but you can just feel the tradition when you walk into the park. It's where Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Dimaggio, and all the greats have played. You can't find that atmosphere at the new parks. I'll admit, thee time is near for a new stadium, but get to Fenway Park while you can. Don't believe what those NY idiots say...The sightlines are great, they still play the organ between innings, and there is, of course, the Green Monster. It's a beautiful place...it will never be duplicated. If you can, try sitting up in the roof boxes. The seats are $30. Unbelievable view of the park and of the Boston skyline. Also good foul ball territory.

Scott Reinold

nothing like yankee stadium -- 2001-06-07

fenways alright, for a minor league field! bill buckner tried to commit suicide by running in front of a truck, but it went in between his legs! did they think rearranging the retired numbers so they no longer read 1918 would end the curse, hah! every seat in feways behind a column, and the seats are for jockeys, and the place only holds 18 jockeys! but i guess i like the red sox, without em, i might not realize how truly great the yankees are!

eric

Copied but never duplicated -- 2001-06-03

It seems that every new park tries to copy the Green Monster, but only Cleveland has come even close to succeeding. Like all old parks, it's kinda cramped by today's standards. But it's a classic. They should have kept the retired numbers in the same order they did before, the date of the Red Sox's last World Series title....that's legend. And like Yankee Stadium, they need to trash the rotating advertising sign behind home plate. I can't imagine the Sox playing without the Monster in left and the Pesky Pole in right....hopefully the new park will look just like Fenway, except for more seats and restrooms.

David Bryant

General Comments -- 2001-05-29

I am a Yankee fan, and I last night made my second trip to Fenway. My first was in 1995, when I saw the Sox clinch the AL East title against Milwaukee. On the down side, it is small - the seats are tiny - and very expensive - I sat in right field, and the tickets had a face value of $30! I was about 25 feet from the Yankee bullpen, which was neat. The Yankee-Red Sox rivalry is great fun, too. I sat in awe of the Green Monster - to me it's required viewing for baseball fans along with Yankee Stadium's monuments and Wrigley's ivy - I could just picture Bucky Dent's homer clearing the screen...

John Romanelli

Still a Classic -- 2001-05-25

My first time at Fenway was on 5/6/01 to see a college tournament final between Univ Mass and Boston College. I sat right on the first base line just to the left of the dugout. Priceless seat if you are seeing the Sox - $3.00 to see a college team. No biggie, because I was there to see the Green Monster and see the park and just look the place over. The stadium is small and I can understand why they want a new one, but it is a Classic piece of baseball history. You get the same vibe, especially at field level that you get at Yankee Stadium - this is an extremely special place and the ghosts of baseball reside there. I would hate to see them tear it down. There is plenty of factory space around it. Someone with some vision (and money) can keep this beautiful park going for another 100 years.

Joe Humber

Fenway - A true dump -- 2001-05-23

What is with people today who go to Fenway once and say it's a mecca and a shrine. This place is a dump. It's dirty, smelly, and was built when people were shorter. Being over 6', I can't sit in a seat. The concessions are awful and the prices are outrageous.

The Red Sox would be better off to demolish this eye sore and start over with no green monster. I have lived here all my life and just recently went to other parks in the league. What a difference!

This place should be destroyed and stop living in the past. Not everything old is worth saving.

Dave

Tickets -- 2001-03-22

You can get tickets outside the park by scalping. Be sure to arrive early for the atmosphere on Yawkey Way. The ballpark is a mecca. Every true baseball fan must make a trip to Fenway. I have had the opportunity to walk into Fenway during the offseason in early March. One of the side green gates was open as I was walking around the park. I walked in and proceded to go inside the ballpark and walk around. Only person in the whole park. I got dirt from the on-deck circle. Great city in a great part of town. Try to see the yankees if you have any choice. Rivalry is unmatched in intensity.

Max Stein

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