It's been 17 years since I've been to a regular season Red Sox game. In the meantime I've seen Curt Shilling at Disney World, been to a Red Sox/Tigers Spring training game, watch and rejoiced while the Sox won two World Series and joined MLB online this past July to get a more regular fix now that's I live in Florida.

To those of you who are not into sports, how can I describe my anticipation of yesterday? Christmas eve for a young child comes to mind.

My daughter and I left fairly early. The game was at 7 and we were out of here around 3:30. It took us about an hour and a quarter to reach Tropicana Field. I really hate that ride. It's boring and when you reach Tampa you feel like you should almost be there but you're really not even that close. I hope they will eventually move the Rays to an area that's closer to the entire central Florida population.

The starting lineups were posted outside the Trop.



All the players I wanted to see were listed like Youk, Ellsbury, Papi and Pedroia. I was also thrilled to see that Lester was throwing.

When we got inside the Trop we found out that Elvis had not left the building.



Actually this guy was pretty good. I wonder though if he'll be back. He sang Sweet Caroline and the hundreds of Red Sox fans joined right in.

Were there hundreds of Red Sox fans there? Nope, probably more like thousands! The Trop resembled Fenway Park south.

We also stopped in to the Ted Williams museum.





They let the fans into the seating area around 5:30. We found our section and decended the stairs getting closer and closer to the field. Holy cow, we were wonderfully close... only 9 rows from the Sox dugout! The Red Sox were taking batting practice and I went all the way down to the edge of the field to watch and take pictures.

The view from our seats.









David Ortiz - Big Papi





Jason Bay

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Kevin Youkilis



Mike Lowell



Manager Terry Francona



The guys leaving to get ready for the game.

Oh and just before the game started, the umpires and Terry had a get together. That one ump looks like he's already screaming at him.



I'm not going to do a play by play on the game but here's a few highlight photos.



Jon Lester pitching.



Jacoby Ellsbury batting.



J D Drew up at the plate.



Papi.

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And Jacoby Ellsbury again. He's dreamy!



Early in the game the milk blimp flew around the field.



Don't ask me, it's Florida.

The Ray Team also had a drive by.



During the 7th inning stretch Elvis reappeared with Raymond, the Rays' mascot.



Now back to the game.



Mike Lowell



Ortiz hitting...



and the logical progression... Ortiz on base.

Lester left the game at the end of the 6th inning. We were ahead and they brought in one of the new aquisitions, Billy Wagner. I had only seen him pitch once and that was a few days ago. He was remarkable then and remarkable last night.



He made short work of the Rays.

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The 8th inning things started to unravel. The new reliever, Okajima, had nothing. By the time Terry got him out of there, the bases were loaded and there were no outs! In comes the one and only Jonathan Papelbon!



There was a time Pap could just about guarantee a win but not so much lately. Tonight he brought his A game!

The famous Pap look.



The only close call came when a ball was hit in the vicinity of Jacoby Ellsbury. Ells made an amazing catch. Both the Rays players and fans were dumfounded.



Pap got the side out without another run being scored.

Red Sox Nation rejoiced at the end of the 8th.



By the 9th inning, all of The Nation was on its feet.



And, with the stuff dreams are made of, Pap struck out the final batter!



Congratulation all around.



The scoreboard tells the story.



We left almost immediately. It was nearly 11 pm! By the time we rolled into the driveway here it was 12:30. Did I mention how much I hate that drive?

Still, it was a wonderful game. You imagine things will be great but this was even better. Hope you enjoyed the story and the photos. Baseball really is a way of life!

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Omg Virgo your pictures are amazing of the Boston Red Sox you truly seemed like you had a wonderful time, when my Son Tommy comes home I am going to show him these pictures and he is going to love them and be so jealous only kidding again thanks so much for sharing. Peace. Catherine

As usual....great pics and I felt like I was there with your play by play!! Thanks.

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Thanks. ~Susan

Please email me at.... snschapin@yahoo.com

Do not value the things you have in your life,
but value who you have in your life!

Virgo my son Tommy saw all the pictures and gave you a big thumbs up wtg and wonderful pictures he loved them thanks always always for sharing all your wonderful photos for us to view. God bless and peace. Catherine

Great pictures! I hope the game I go to is just as exciting. I wont get those good pics though. I looked at my tickets again and realized we are in the bleachers. Hope its a good day!

When are you going and who are they playing? You're going to see them at Fenway, yes? I love Fenway!

Lots of people hate Tropicana field but I really enjoy it. A year or so ago when they were really discussing building a new place for the Rays to play, the choice seemed to be for an outside stadium. Who, in their right mind, would want to sit outside in Florida during the summer? I'm happy to say that idea got shelved.

The Trop isn't pretty and doesn't have the vibes of Fenway but at least it's air conditioned.

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We are going on the 13th to Fenway. They are playing Tampa.Its a day game. Hope its a nice day we are in the bleachers.

the frown is for the bleachers. Not the game!

Thanks for sharing. I am very jealous. love my sox

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When you don`t know what to do-Walk fast and look worried.

So do I. Its been a long time sence I've been to Fenway.
What part of southern NH are you in? I am in the Seacoast Region.