Fans fill frigid Fenway for Sox home opener
Ol’ Man Winter greets Boys of Summer
Droves of loyal fans donned parkas and ski hats to support the Red Sox at their 117th home opener yesterday, where temperatures only reached the low 40s and a brutal wind cut through the Fenway Park bleachers.
Despite the wintry weather, fans were thrilled to welcome the Sox, who got off to a red hot start to the season on the road.
“It’s wonderful. It’s a holiday,” said fan Marilyn Deedy of Princeton. “Once Fenway opens, spring has sprung.”
The Sox entered the home opener with a 5-1 record, and won in an TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME: Mayor Martin J. Walsh greets fans before yesterday’s home opener at Fenway Park. extra innings walk-off, setting expectations high for fans.
“We are going to the World Series, we’re going to take it in four games,” said Fenway regular and seasonticket holder Tony McCormick.
“All the way, that’s the only prediction there can be,” agreed Patrick McNair Sr. of Revere.
But some of Red Sox Nation held a more skeptical view.
“It’s a strong start against weak teams, so next week against the Yankees will be the telltale,” said Barry Davis of West Roxbury. “I think the Yankees are the team that we have to beat.”
It was Davis’ 10th home opener at Fenway, and though it was cold, he said the Sox’ 2007 opener against Seattle was much worse. During that cold snap, the morning temperature in downtown Boston hovered in the 20s.
“We sat in the right-field grandstands and it had to be 31, 32,” Davis remembered.
Fans traveled from warmer climates and bundled up to see Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and David Price.
“It’s like Antarctica,” 10-year-old Jamie Adrian of Los Angeles said as she waited for a clown to make her a balloon animal on Yawkey Way. “It’s fun.”
Donald and Denis Showell planned their spring break trip from Atlanta around the opener so their 10-year-old son, Trey, could experience the magical day at the Fens.
“It’s awesome,” Donald Showell said. “It’s a life moment. I’ve been waiting for this experience.”