The Green Monster Up Close

If you ask me, the top three American landmarks, in no particular order, are the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and…Fenway Park. Few people ever get the opportunity to experience the Green Monster in person. I am now one of those lucky few, as I was on-hand for MLB’s national Jackie Robinson Day on April 16.

The Red Sox played the Devil Rays and I was a part of the pre-game ceremony, so they actually let me stand on the field. It was cold and drizzling rain, but that meant nothing to me.  I was standing on the left-field foul line right next to Joaquin Benoit and Evan Longoria as they warmed up—I could have died and gone to heaven right at that moment.

After I stopped gawking at them—professional athletes are pure Amazons—it was time for the pre-game events. The young lady who sang the national anthem did a fine job… well, except for the part where she forgot the words. 40,000 people then shouted, “At the twilight’s last gleaming!” Priceless.

Then it was my turn.  Praying I didn’t forget how to throw a baseball, I walked onto the mound and threw out the first pitch.  The crowd went wild cheering for me, and I took a second to let it all sink in.  I was standing on the mound that Josh Beckett would be pitching from in a few minutes’ time.  Insert dying and going to heaven here.