Shippin' Up to Boston

Shippin' Up to Boston

By: Ryan Barbieri

Since 1975, Jeff Budin of Maple Glen, PA has been an avid Boston Red Sox fan. His fondest memory wasn't the fact that the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years in 2004. It was that they beat the Yankees, after being down three games in the ALCS (American League Championship Series).

"The World Series win over the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004 was pretty great, but nothing can top off beating the Yankees in the ALCS. I don't think I will ever forget that," said Budin, as he reflected on his fondest Red Sox memories.

Budin went to Fenway Park for the first time in 1991; however he has never been inside for a game. He's seen them play plenty of times in Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore, but has never had a chance to get his hands on tickets, which are very difficult to get.

He went on to explain what influenced him to become a Red Sox fan, even though he grew up in the Philadelphia area. Fred Lynn and Jim Rice were his favorite players growing up, and he took a liking to them right from the start of their careers.

"In the beginning, it wasn't really the Red Sox team, it was my liking for Fred Lynn and Jim Rice, whom I watched since their rookie seasons," said Budin.

Red Sox fans aren't like most baseball fans, whether it has to do with winning or overall passion of the game.

"To a Red Sox fan, winning the World Series is the most important thing. Well, maybe beating the Yankees is most important thing, but winning the World Series is second. Once, we defeated the Yankees in 2004 and won the World Series, it was like icing on a cake," he said.

Budin's best Red Sox memory was the Red Sox/Yankees ALCS; however his worst memory came in the 1975 World Series versus Cincinnati.

"The famous Buckner play is right up there, but I'd have to say the 1976 World Series versus the Reds was the worst. The '76 series versus the Reds was by far the most exciting World Series I have ever seen. Each game was down to the wire, as two powerhouse teams were going at it left and right," said Budin.

We completed our discussion as Budin talked about his favorite player on the Red Sox; Manny Ramirez, one who has an attitude that every coach dreams about from a player.

"As a player, I've always enjoyed his overall attitude. I happen to know a few people who work in the clubhouse at Fenway Park, and they have told me, Manny is the first one in the clubhouse and last one to leave, every game. In between innings of games, he goes to the batting cages and practices his swing. I really respect that," said Budin

I had a similar discussion with Adrian Danemayer, a 21 year old fan from Somerville, MA. Similar to Budin, Danemayer felt that beating the Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS in 2004, was his best Red Sox memory. His worst memory came the year before when the Yankees defeated the Red Sox in the 2003 ALCS.

"When Aaron Boone made contact with the ball, I knew that the game was over," said Danemayer, referring to a 10th inning home-run hit by Aaron Boone, which ended the series in the Yankees' favor.

Danemayer has been to Fenway Park four times. He saw his first game with his parents when he was 3 years old, but his most vivid memory of a game came in 2002 when the Red Sox took on the Baltimore Orioles. The Sox ended up losing in the 13th inning, and it was freezing cold outside, but we stayed there no matter what.

"Only a true fan would stay for the entire game. Do you really think players are motivated to win when they see fans leaving the stands?" said Danemayer as he began to give me insight on life as a Red Sox fan.

Budin told me that unlike the Philadelphia Phillies' fans, we don't get down on our players for every little thing they do wrong, because baseball is a way of life for every Red Sox fan. Danemayer agreed with that view, and added that it has a lot to do with respect.

"It's out of respect to the players. Who wants to play for a team, where their fans boo their own players? Sox fans even cheer for their players when they get traded to other teams, except for the Yankees," said Danemayer.

Danemayer has watched games on television when the Red Sox are playing in Oakland, and there are more Red Sox fans in attendance than Athletics fans.

"What's great about Red Sox fans is that they are everywhere. That's what Red Sox Nation is. There are all the people who jump on the bandwagon, but people who move away from Boston, stay loyal to the Red Sox forever," said Danemayer.

He went on to describe the atmosphere at Fenway Park and around the city of Boston during game days. To Danemayer, it's similar to a carnival.

"Whenever there is a game in Boston, everyone is amped up whether they are in or around the ballpark. The city goes crazy. It's like a carnival for everyone. During the middle innings, fans will go out to Yawkey Way, and join the rest of the Boston fans," said Danemayer, referring to a closed off street outside of Fenway Park's Green Monster where fans make food and cheer on their team.

Danemayer ended our talk as he talked about his favorite player and this year's team, which he feels is his most favorite Red Sox team.

"We have a lot of good players, making it a good atmosphere to play games. We've made improvements at every position, and so far we are one of the best teams in baseball," said Danemayer.

The Red Sox certainly are off to a good start as they are sitting on top of the AL East Division, with the Yankees looking upwards.

"It all has to do with the leadership of team captain Jason Varitek, who is my favorite player. He's been on the team forever. He's a great catcher and hits the ball better than any power hitter. The players and fans love him, he's a good voice for the team, and an overall likable guy," said Danemayer with a smile on his face as he pointed to his #33 Varitek jersey hanging on the wall of his living room.