This past weekend we went to the Red Sox game in Arlington. That’s right. We went to the Red Sox game. Not the Rangers game, but the Red Sox game. You see, Red Sox fans outnumbered the Rangers fans by three or four to one. Yes, it was that significant.
The Red Sox lost that night but we had a fantastic time visiting with other Sox fans and cheering the Red Sox on. Chants of “Let’s Go Red Sox” echoed throughout the stadium on many occasions, so much so that it almost felt like we were at Fenway Park in Boston.
We had such a great time on Saturday night that we decided to go back out on Sunday. This time the results were different and the Sox won. Chants of “MVP” every time Dustin Pedroia came up filled the stadium. Fans yelling “Youuuuuuuuuuk” everytime Kevin Youkilis came to bat. And an impromptu “Sweet Caroline” being sung by the fans filled the stadium at one point (for those non-Red Sox fans out there, that song is sung during the 7th inning of each game at Fenway Park).
The Red Sox have become the most recognizable sports team in our country. Everywhere they go, they have a fan base and as a life-long Red Sox fan who grew up in Boston, it’s a lot of fun to be part of.
I got this email from the Red Sox today which sort of encapsulates all of this and I wanted to share it with you:
“When a young fan shouted "Play Ball" on May 15, 2003, to start the Red Sox game against the Texas Rangers who could have dreamed that those two words would mark the start of something extraordinary, indeed unprecedented? That auspicious day was the first of 456 consecutive regular season sellouts. You -- the most loyal, passionate, and knowledgeable fans in all of baseball -- filled Fenway Park and, ultimately, set a new, all-time Major League Baseball sellout streak record. On behalf of the Red Sox players, partners and the entire organization, we want to thank you for the unwavering constancy of your faith and support.
This is not a record set by the Red Sox team or by Red Sox players. This is a historic record set by Red Sox fans. Today, we celebrate you -- the dedicated members of Red Sox Nation -- whose loyalty is the rock on which this franchise is built.”
Go Sox!!!
