A big part of the Fenway experience occurs outside the walls of the ballpark. Club president Larry Lucchino knew it was important to get the feel of Fenway before you enter Fenway. And that’s key. A small ballpark has a much bigger feel to it if you accomplish that feat and the Red Sox have done just that.
The food, the beer, the party atmosphere, the souvenir stands are all terrific and you haven’t even stepped into the park, yet. On a warm summer night there is nothing better than hanging outside Fenway until the game starts. A David Ortiz t-shirt runs you $30. Steep but that is the price of success.
Want a bargain? Near the cash register are skull caps for $15. Not just any Red Sox skull caps but Manny skullcaps. Only thing the word Manny has been crossed out on the sign advertising the caps and has been replaced with Coco. Yes, official Coco Crisp skull caps.
Manny is always the center of attention even when he’s gone.
The concession stands have improved dramatically over the last few years and the ballpark food here is way better than Yankee Stadium.
The Green Monster seats are the best in the house for my money. My press box seat is actually much higher than the Monster, especially when you are in the fourth row of the press box like in the post-season as opposed to the second row in the regular season.
You can get Dunkin’ Donuts here so that makes it worth the visit. Fenway bills itself as American’s Favorite Ballpark. In many ways it is. Sitting in the wooden seats is fantastic. Everything about the place makes it a ballpark. More parks should have obstructed view seats behind pillars because those pillars not only give the park a great feel, it allows the decks above to be closer to the action instead of those bowl seats that are so popular in HOK ballparks.
During batting practice the music blends in with the park, it doesn’t overwhelm you. The scoreboard on the Green Monster also makes this a park, of course. Everything about Fenway revolves around the Monster.
Then there’s the crazy outfield cutouts, the small dugouts, it’s all good. It’s a ballpark.
Rating: Out of a possible 30 ballparks, Fenway Park is No. 3.