For some, being a Boston Red Sox fan means a healthy dose of skepticism. Sure, they’ve won four World Series in roughly the last two decades, but it’s been a long four years since they’ve made it to the postseason.
“It’s one of those things where like, let’s play some games and then you’ll slowly gain my trust,” said Mike O’Brien of Boston as he stood waiting to enter Fenway Park for the team’s home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
“I don’t believe a word anyone says in the front office, but these guys seem pretty good,” he said before quickly adding, “but that’s why they play the games as they say.”
Despite his wariness, O’Brien admitted he has a hard time staying away. He estimates this is his 15th home opener at Fenway.
“I mean, I’m always here no matter if they win or lose, but those $14 Bud Lights go down a lot easier when they’re winning games.”
The Sox got off to a rocky start this season, losing four of their first five games on the road. But that didn’t faze Mark and Diane Cole, who came down from Dover, New Hampshire.
“Just working out the kinks. That’s all they’re doing, just working out the kinks,” Mark Cole said.
“You got to walk before you can run,” Diane Cole added. “We finally invested in our bullpen and some nice, top-notch players. I think we’ve got a chance to go right to the win.”
The Sox picked up some talented young players in the off-season, including Garrett Crochet, who pitched eight shutout innings against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.
Keith Runyan of Billerica said he was excited to see newly-acquired third baseman Alex Bregman.
“He’s just a stud. He’s got an athlete everything, you know what I mean?”
Runyan said he’s not too worried about the last few years being a dry spell, pointing to the team’s notorious championship drought before finally winning a World Series in 2004.
“Well, it was dry for 86 years before that. So, I think we got the right direction now, you know what I mean?”
The opening ceremony celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Red Sox team that won the American League pennant. The captain of that team, hall of fame slugger Carl Yastrzemski, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Another anchor of that team who was honored was beloved pitcher Luis Tiant, who passed away in August. His family was brought onto the field to yell “play ball!”
Fan Todd Zeller made a point of driving up from Connecticut to see the Cardinals play the Sox. Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, he conceded to being a fan of both teams.
“I can’t lose today,” he said, pointing out that he was wearing a Cardinals t-shirt under his Red Sox sweatshirt.
And for some at Fenway, it was enough to just enjoy the sights and sounds, along with some snacks.
“Ice cream, the peanuts, the popcorn ... I’ve got all of it and it’s warming up where it’s melting,” said Leidyelly Goncalves as she held up an ice cream that was aggressively dripping.
Her message from the home opener?
“I think this is something everybody should experience at least once in their life.”
As for the game, the Sox ended up beating the Cardinals, 13-9.
