Highlanders spoil Fenway-fest

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

As a fan of baseball and its history, the ceremonies yesterday celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park were a sight to behold.  There was the Boston Pops being conducted my John Williams, the first pitch being thrown from the front row, 200 former Red Sox players, both legends and nobodies, parading onto the field in their era’s jerseys, a flyover, and throwback uniforms being worn by both teams.  The only strange part was the  pre-game toast by Kevin Millar and Pedro Martinez (what does Karim Garcia have to do with this?).  It was a grand celebration befitting of a grand ballpark.

But once the game began, the celebration was over.  My respects had been paid, and it was time for the Yankees to ruin the party.

And they did just that.

The Yankees, wearing their 1912 Highlander uniforms, proceeded to tee off on Boston pitcher Clay Buchholtz.  Swisher started the home run derby with a solo shot in the 2nd inning.  Two batters later Eric Chavez planted a pitch over the wall in right center, and followed that up with a long blast to dead center.  In the 5th inning Alex Rodriguez hit his second HR of the year, and in the 6th inning, Russell Martin ended a 0-16 slump by depositing Buchholz’s pitch over the famous green monster.  All in all the Highlanders tagged Buchholz for six runs off nine hits, walking twice while only striking out twice.  Of Buchholz’s 103 pitches only three were swings and misses.  It was as if the Yankees knew exactly what was coming every at bat.

As a fan of baseball, I enjoyed the pre-game  ceremonies.  As a Yankees Highlanders fan, I enjoyed the in-game batting practice and the 6-2 win.

What a great way to begin Fenway’s second 100 years.