Game #43- New England Revolution

New England Revolution vs. Houston Dynamo
August 17th, 2011
Gillette Stadium

I am on the east coast for the 2011 Age Group Nationals of Triathlon. The race is actually up in Burlington, VT but I figured not only is the flight to Boston much cheaper, but I could get in a game and explore the scenic New England area by car. What's interesting about the stadium is that it is located in the sleepy little town of Foxborough, MA. I went for a run and bike in the area and it kind of reminds me of the houses and small mom and pop stores around the Charlotte area in NC. One of the pleasant surprises (and this only happened one other time in Phoenix for the Coyotes game) is that parking was free! The second thing I loved about the game is that because the stadium is so huge it really didn't matter where you sat. I was supposed to be behind the goal in "The Fort" but I sat dead center, 3rd row and no one bothered me. The game was fairly unexciting. The only two players on the field I knew where both national team members, Benny Feilhaber of the Revs and Brian Ching on the Dynamo. Despite the relatively unknown teams the play on the field was pretty good. There were a ton of great saves by the Revs keeper Matt Reis making several one arm reaction saves and a couple finger tip blocks. The first goal of the game came from the leg of Ryan Cochrane just before halftime and it remained 1-0 until the 90th minute when Reis made an amazing save which led to a fluke open net goal by Bobby Boswell. The scored ended in a 1-1 tie, but the players started a pretty good brawl at the final whistle. This was definitely good times and I know I will really appreciate the fans and the empty stadium compared to when I come back for a Patriots games!

Game #42-Boston Redsox

Boston Redsox vs. Cleveland Indians
August 2nd, 2011
Fenway Park

While on a business trip to Boston I was able to get in a Redsox game. The flight into the city was completely uneventful until the final 10 minutes when I noticed the heavy rainfall and numerous lightning bolts streaming from the skies. Considering my flight was scheduled to get in at 6pm and the game was at 7pm, I thought for sure it would be called due to weather conditions. But what the heck, let's give it the ole college try. If you have never driven in Boston it is nuts. The last time I was in this city the "Big Dig" was in full swing, now I was meandering through the underground highways trying not to get lost and also thankful I had cash for all the tolls. I managed to find parking and made a mad dash for the ballpark to be met by torrential downpours which did in fact delay the game...for 2 hours! But I made the best of it. Luckily I had my umbrella with me so I trolled around historic Fenway getting pics from every available angel (except the Green Monster, I was not allowed up without a ticket). Not only did I take a ton of cool pics, but I also bought a 100th anniversary brick for Fenway (this is my fifth brick and it states "Chris Costales from San Diego, it's wicked hot!"). Once it hit 9pm the rain finally let up and it was game on. I was able to stay for only a couple of innings because I had a client meeting the following morning, but I did manage to see a homer by Cleveland's Jason Kipnis in the first inning and then a couple of Redsox hits to bring in Kevin Youkilis in the second. The game ended in an exciting 9th inning where pinch runner Jarrod Saltalamacchia rounded the bases and managed to slide head first at home to get the 3-2 win. I wish I could have been there for the final play but it was still a good time to get to the oldest ballpark in the nation.

Quote of the day: For the first pitch of the game, randomly a pregnant lady was given the opportunity. But remember, there was a rain delay for two hours and what else is there to do as a fan (especially in Boston) than to drink. So as the super pregnant lady was on the mound a female behind me says in a thick Boston accent "It would be wicked cool if dat ladies watta broke on da mound". Classic...