Ahh, back again

There's something about Fenway Park.

Honestly, I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the uncomfortable seats (that I personally like), perhaps it's the the nostalgic aura that surrounds the almost century old stadium or the fact that you can picture a game being played on the field in front of you 10, 20 or even 30 years ago.

I'm 22 years old now and it has taken me all of those years to truly appreciate the park and all attraction that it has. Honestly, it was Opening Day in which I had this epiphany. Sitting there, in fair territory, 20 feet behind the Pesky Pole, I took my time to look around, to observe and to take it all in.

Needless to say, a smile transformed my face.

I went again last night and the same thing happened -- it wasn't just cause of the Sox's win. I arrived at the park about an hour early (which is always nice) and after I found my seat I went down, back under the stadium in an attempt to get some food and perhaps a drink.

It was a futile one at that.

I looked around, saw how excruciatingly long the lines were and just decided to walk around. I walked past fans, which made it blatantly obvious that it was their first time at Fenway. Failing to find my second main purpose in descending into the narrow walkway, a game day program, I continued my walk for a few more minutes before returned to my assigned seat in the bleachers.

For the first few innings the 37,000 or so in attendance were quiet, not having a meaningful reason for cheering beside Justin Masterson's solid outing. The Yankees jumped out ahead, 1-0, in the top half of the third only to be followed by the Sox tying the score in the later frame. It wasn't till the fifth that Fenway truely came alive.

I've been about 20 games in my life and I've never heard the crowd as loud as I did last night when Jacoby Ellsbury stole home. I've seen walk-offs, grand slams, and great pitching performances -- none of which recieved quite the roar as Ellsbury's gamble.

Moments like that make one wonder when Fenway Park will be closed for good and another, certainly more stylish stadium will be opened. For now, I don't want to think about that.