Juddmansee.com

Maybe it’s the hiking influence when we send trail reports to our fellow White Mountain “jackasses” but I felt like I needed to write a “trail report” for Fenway today.

Weather: gorgeous. May all of our April games be so warm and sunny. Hardly any wind. Felt much warmer than 50 degrees.

oops moment: I forgot sunscreen, resulting in a red face from the afternoon game. I did make the game on time after a quick change from suit attire for briefing our General Manager to red turtleneck, blue hoodie and jeans for game. I’ll have my best (hopefully not peeling) face forward for tomorrow’s continuation of our quarterly reviews at work.

Game: wonderful! Red Sox offense good, defense very good, win! A few folks in the stands were sad that Papelbon didn’t pitch, but Oki did a great job. I think DiceK still thinks he needs to finish every game. He looked so disappointed when he was taken out after almost 7 innings of holding the Tigers to no runs, and walking a guy after 109 pitches. Sounds like he was cheered with his new ring though.

Annie: not in her usual seat. I didn’t have a chance to ask Melva and the normal male usher (I forget his name) if they’d heard any news. One of her friends was there but I didn’t recognize anyone else in that row. I’m hoping she scalped her tickets to avoid the crazy drunkeness and will be back next game in her lovely red plaid pants with her radio and score book.

Waves: none. A very drunk and angry woman was trying to spur us on in the 9th. She said we would do the wave the next inning (up by 5, hmmm.) Melva calmly asked her to take a seat or go to the concourse. She chose the latter. Dan would have been pleased. Also zero inflatables. Good day for paying attention to the game, except for having to ignore the completely unsubtle advances by row 14. ew. How long has it been since I’ve been hit on?

Celebrities: You probably already know Bill Buckner threw out the opening pitch. Johnny Pesky said “play ball.” Steven Tyler harmonica-ed and sang God Bless America. New levels of Neil Diamond – Jordan Furniture had Neil record a special “Sweet Caroline” in a Sox jacket with John Henry and other jersey-clad backup singers, and showed it on the Jumbotron. In addition, there was crossmarketing as John invited Neil to sing at Fenway Park and the ‘tron noted that tickets go on sale April 28 for Neil Diamond’s August concert. I am sure Dan will be first in line for this one. ahem. (also note that the video’s existence is already on wiki)

Seat: They look much like the old ones. They are higher (my feet don’t touch the pavement, good news for all you tall folk) and thus have somewhat more leg room. The white extra step at row 13 remains. Luckily the beer spiller was walking uphill and spilled on row 14 this game. The seats are green with the same type of slats. The connectors between seats are metal but the seats themselves are plastic. No cupholders. I am pretty sure they are the same width, since the foreign woman beside me kept hanging her Coach bag over onto my seat. ugh. The only non-sloshed people in our area didn’t speak English? Great! Enough ranting. It was a terrific game. I’m sorry I didn’t take pictures.

Bullpen: No parrot sighting. The hawk did make two appearances, one during the National Anthem and one during the 2nd inning. No Alexa Rodriguez attacks today.

I saved the best for last: my friend Joanne came with me. It was quite a day for her! She had been to the park as a girl but hadn’t been for a number of years. She took the train in so she could enjoy the pre-game festivities, and I met her there at game time. We had a wonderful time. She was a real trooper to walk back to the car on Mem Drive after the game. I couldn’t have asked for a more excited or appreciative companion for the afternoon. What fun!

PS if you are wondering why I’m writing in short bulleted paragraphs, note that I’ve been working on 8 powerpoint presentations for this week. What a terrible habit.