The Grounds Crew At Fenway Put Me To Work And I Loved It!

Previously, Part 1: This Wasn't Just Another Father & Son Game...

Fraser arrived shortly after we did, and I helped him carry his equipment into Gate D and onto the field. He was here to help shoot the video, but like the rest of us, he's a big Red Sox fan, and we were all in awe when we made our way onto the field to meet Jared, who was already chattin' it up with Jarren Duran. Jared saw me watching him and Duran, and when he came over, he looked at me and immediately said, "My arms are bigger!" All I could say was, "Damn, it's close…"

Once we spoke with Jared and he filled us in on when I'd join the Grounds Crew, we went into a small roped-off area just outside the Red Sox dugout. Dylan and I wandered down the right field line with adhesive field passes stuck to our jerseys, like we owned the place. Field security quickly stopped our forward progress, turned us around, and told us where we could safely stand to watch BP. What were we thinkin'?

I was standing on the field, in awe, and not paying close enough attention to my surroundings, and I almost had a collision with Jason Varitek, which was not too unlike the A-Rod scuffle. I would've lost. We quickly danced around each other, avoiding a potential collision. "I immediately said, "Sorry, Tek!" And to minimize my misstep, I added, " Former catcher here." He cracked a smile and took the mound to throw BP. Several coaches took turns throwing.

The first thing you notice is how the ball comes off the bats of professional baseball players. It makes a different sound than what the rest of us can produce, and the ball jumps. There were small groups that hit together, and after taking several swings, one player would step out, and another player would stand in and take his cuts. They seemed to be rotating in and out to avoid getting fatigued pre-game. Lots of balls were hit out and they got the loudest cheers from us spectators.

Jared told me that during an exhibition at Fenway, he hit one out. Then he told me about another time, when he was supposed to face Papelbon for charity, and Pap had had a few (too many), and the organizer gave Jared a chance to opt out, but like a true professional, he stepped into the batter's box. He let Pap's first pitch go by in case he had to get out of the way in a hurry. It wasn't full speed, and it was down the middle for a strike. On the second pitch, Jared stood in there ready to swing, thinking there was no reason to have any fear, and then Pap slipped up and hit 'em with a scorching fastball. OUCH!

I shook a few hands and spoke to a few players as they walked by, but I was able to have a short conversation with Ceddanne Rafaela as he walked past us heading into the dugout. It was in his rookie year that I told Dylan, "Ceddanne has great potential, and with his skill set and unusual power for a guy his size, I believe he could be the next Mookie Betts, a five-tool player." I still believe that.

And that's what I told Ceddanne. He listened, smiled, reached out to shake my hand, and thanked me. I'm not taking any credit for his recent success at the plate, 6-12 against the Rays, but I will be rooting for him to get a well-deserved Gold Glove for his incredible play in center field. 

I'm a big fan of this team. Love Bregman at third, and Story has been incredible at shortstop. With his bat, his glove, and his wheels, we're getting to see why we signed 'em. For those of us who got to see Rick "Rooster" Burleson play, Story's "Rooster 2.0". He's as tough as they come, a real hard-nosed player, and a great role model for the younger guys.

Romy González is making plays at second that we haven't seen since Pedroia fielded the position. He's currently batting .308 and has displayed some real power at the plate. And it looks like our catcher for the future has arrived in Carlos Narváez. 

With a bat or a glove, Jarren Duran is one of the most exciting players in MLB, and the late-season acquisition of first baseman Nathaniel Lowe was a good one. 

Having a legitimate "Ace" and Cy Young candidate in Garrett Crochet has been a real difference maker. And with a lights-out closer like Aroldis Chapman, who can still bring the heat, the Red Sox are a force to be reckoned with.

The Red Sox have accomplished so much this year, and last year's Gold Glove right fielder and slugger, Wilyer Abreu, recently missed a month due to a calf strain. Once he starts swinging a healthy bat, watch out!

Between Bregman, Story, Chapman, and my personal favorite, Rob Refsnyder, there is some outstanding veteran leadership in the Red Sox dugout right now. There are so many reasons to love this team!

And for me personally, it couldn't have come at a better time. I needed a good Red Sox team to help distract me from getting swallowed up by the grief I'm experiencing since my wife of 45 years, Susan, passed. She always knew my mood fluctuated based on whether the Red Sox won or lost. Now, baseball is keeping me in a better place; it has been my savior, and win or lose, this team is a lot of fun to watch.

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One of the head groundskeepers came over and handed me an official Fenway Park Grounds Crew jacket and prepped me on what some of my responsibilities would be. He said the first thing I'd be doing is pulling the pins on the portable batting cage after the Yankees hit, breaking it down, and helping to get it back in the garage in left.

Dylan and I were hoping Judge and Stanton would be taking their hacks and losing some balls in the Monstah Seats, but only a handful of Yankees took BP outside. We were told there's an area indoors, and they probably were more comfortable hitting there. (Yankees SUCK! Yankees SUCK!)

Jared is so well-connected. Aaron Boone called him over to talk, and actually met him halfway. Boone was standing at the batting cage with a bat in his hand, watching his players hit, when all of a sudden he got in the cage and took some hacks. He actually looked pretty good swingin' the bat at 52…

A little after 6:00, the head groundskeeper came to get me. The Yankees were done hitting, and it was time to tear down the rolling batting cage. I was told that whatever I did,  "Do NOT step on any lines!" I remembered when Dylan took MMA, and I unknowingly stepped into a "Dojo" with my sneakers on and almost got my ass kicked by a guy who was more frightening than an angry Bull Mastiff. I was very careful not to step on any lines at Fenway…

Pulling the pins was easy; the two groundskeepers did all the heavy lifting, pushing the rolling cage into left field while I tagged along in case they needed my help. They didn't.

As soon as all the BP stuff was cleared, the grounds crew took the field and started working. The grounds crew at Fenway is a well-oiled machine, and they're really the unsung heroes of the game. They're the reason Fenway looks so nice.

My first on-field job was placing the bases, and after they were in, I was told to do a "knee drop" to ensure they were in tight.

My next job was to spray paint the rubber and the dish using a rattle can. I never knew that's how the plate stayed so white. Before I started spray painting, I watched the head groundskeeper turn the mound into a work of art, moving his rake ever so carefully to even out the dirt. A "mound grooming maestro" if there ever was one.

Then it was my turn. I was careful not to disturb his work. When I finished, I moved to home plate. I was surprised there was no black border around the plate, only the white part, which I sprayed carefully, avoiding any overspray.

My last job was to help carry the heavy hose they use to soak the infield. They can't drag it, or it would disturb the infield dirt. They told me that on really hot days, they have to do it multiple times before the games start, but on this night, with cooler temperatures and no sun, one time was all it needed.

When I finished, the head groundskeeper grabbed me, Dylan, Lexi, and Fraser, and the five of us headed into the left field garage to hang with the grounds crew.

Next stop, upper level for drinks and eats with Jared and his friend, former WWE wrestler and current color commentator, Corey Graves…

To be continued…