(Note to all: Gregg Anderson grew up in St. Paul, went to the U and has somehow ended up in western Massachusetts, where he teaches history. He married well — my friend Audrey from Macalester — and writes real good. Here’s his take on last night’s game.)

Fenway’s the greatest venue there is if you had a good seat- I had one last night- upper deck down by the right field foul pole (or the Pesky Pole as those with Sox credentials call it ). I walked up and bought it at the ticket window before game time — $50 face value, factor that in the next time you complain about the Dome. My attempts to work the ‘informal’ market were unsuccessful - $40 for standing room seemed a bit steep. (Don’t all us guys think we’re master negotiators when it comes to scalped tix?) It would also seem as if the South Boston Bulger mob (See Howie Carr’s excellent book The Brothers Bulger, for clarification) runs the ticket scalping operation outside the park-It looks like a cross between a Dropkick Murphys show and the Massachusetts Legislature. I could’ve had a box seat for only $200!

A tip for MN visitors- if you park a mile or so down Comm Av. (Commonwealth Avenue to those of you “from away”) you only have to feed the meter for an hour or so - beats $25-50 near the park. Also be advised that Mass. state statute requires that at least one member of your party have an Italian sausage outside the park- IT’S THE LAW! All that said it was a beautiful night for baseball — warm, a breeze blowing, friendly banter with the Sox fans once my cover was blown- people at Fenway in my experience ARE pretty knowledgeable. A terrific game, too even though the result was not what we had all hoped.

But as for the game:

*Let us begin with Delmon: Does he know that he’s not required to swing at the first pitch? Was he not paying attention when he was doubled off first? I didn’t see the replay so I’m not sure, but… 7 LOB, a run NOT scored- not a good night for the lad. I was coming around on him but last night - Yikes!

*Scott Baker (and not just because of his uniform number) reminds me a lot of Dave Goltz- not one outstanding thing you can point to, just a lot done well. I hope he has Goltzie’s career, too.

*I also think Kubel’s reached the point where he should not be pinch-hit for- dunno the splits in last night’s game though.

*Would Cuddy (and I’m a Cuddy guy) gotten to Coco Crisp’s almost HR?

*Memo to Daisuke Matsusaka: GET ON WITH IT! THROW THE DAMN BALL! I WAS A YOUNG MAN WHEN THIS A-B BEGAN….

And some non-game related questions: When Papelbon threw the ball a million camera flashes went of. Why? Doesn’t that have an effect on the players?

When (and where) did wearing team gear to the game start? It seems I’m the last hold out.

Anyway the life of a teacher is never dull. Off to Detroit for Thursday’s matinee!

other people are here too

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