Since I was little kid, I have always wanted to go to a baseball game at every major league stadium. It seemed like the ultimate pilgrimage for a baseball fan, and I put it right at the top of my first “things to do before I die” list when I was 12 years old. I even printed out a map of the U.S. and starred every city with a team, to make it easier to plan my trip. Now, ten years later, I have taken the first step in realizing my dream.

Having just graduated and not having any real responsibilities for a couple of months, my girlfriend and I embarked on a 4 day, 3 city trip in the northeast. We flew into Boston to see the Red Sox, drove to New York for the Mets and Yankees, and then to Philadelphia for a Phillies game. We traveled more and slept less than we would have liked, but I started towards achieving one of my first real life goals.

The first stop on the trip was Fenway to see the Red Sox battle the Blue Jays. We entered the park through Yawkey Way, which was an experience in itself. It reminded me most of a college block party. People were standing around chatting and drinking, and there were countless food stands selling hot dogs and sausages and such, and of course plenty of beer. There was a live band, and a guy on stilts playing catch with all the fans. The fact that it was raining a bit bothered no one. It was like a huge, organized, tailgate party, with the team store right nearby in case you needed a jacket to go with the jersey and hat. It was awesome. Every stadium should have something similar.

Passing through the gates and onto the main concourse was like stepping back in time 60 years. The wooden seats look like they are from when the park was first built, and they very well may be. There was a walkway behind the last row of the lower deck, so you can walk from foul pole to foul pole while still being able to see the field. It was a very nice touch.

We got there early so we could do a lap and explore a bit, although security wouldn’t allow us into to section above the Green Monster, which is where I most wanted to go. Eventually we found our seats deep in the center field bleachers. I understand that Fenway is a relatively small stadium and they need to fit as many people as possible in rather than build a larger stadium without all the history, but at least in the cheap seats they went a little overboard. I’m a tall guy, but even an average person would not be very comfortable. The seats were too narrow, and there wasn’t nearly enough leg room. But we were in the park!

The most impressive aspect of Fenway was the atmosphere during the game. I don’t think it is possible to go to a game there and not enjoy yourself. Despite it being a rainy, brutally cold Tuesday night, just about every seat was filled. The loudest cheers were reserved for not the stars like Manny and Big Papi, but role players like Mike Lowell and Dustin Pedroia. Every time Kevin Youkilis came up or made any sort of play in the field, he was serenaded with yells of YOUUUUUUUU! The fans clearly appreciated the contributions of everyone on the team, and I could almost feel that contribute to the confidence of the team. And to top it all off, about 32,000 of the 35,000 people at the game rose as one and delivered a rousing rendition of “Sweet Caroline” in the middle of the eighth, which I gathered was a Fenway tradition. The fun never stops.

As for the actual game, Jon Lester and Roy Halladay both delivered great performances, combining to allow 3 hits and 0 runs through 8 innings. Hardly any balls even got to the outfield. Going into the ninth, Lester gave way to Jonathan Papelbon, who entered to the Dropkick Murphys song from “The Departed.” Immediately half of my section started to imitate the Irish jig Papelbon performed after winning the World Series last year, or as best they could with the space they were in. I thought it would just be the drunks in the bleachers, but as I looked around there were people bouncing up and down all around the stadium, even in the most expensive seats. The jig clearly transcended all classes.

Papelbon quickly disposed of the Jays in the top of the ninth, setting up the dramatic bottom of the ninth. With David Ortiz on second (who was curiously not pulled for a pinch runner), Youkilis singled up the middle and the center fielder mishandled the ball, allowing Ortiz to score, and setting off another round of YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!! It was an exciting end to a very well played game on both sides, and the fans left happy.

We had a great time, so much so that my girlfriend switched allegiances from the Giants she has grown up with and joined the Nation. I gave her a hard time and called her a sellout, but she thought Red Sox fans had more fun the Giants fans, and she wants to have fun at games she goes to. The atmosphere was impressive, and I can only imagine what it would be like against the Yankees or in the playoffs. One park down, 29 to go. Next stop Shea!