My wife and I flew out to Boston over Memorial Day to visit her brother and see the Royals at Fenway. David, her brother, bought us some really terrific tickets. For example, it was easier to rest my hand on the Royals dugout than my own armrest. This was my second time at Fenway, the prior being some twelve years ago.

My personal photo essay after the jump..

I live in San Francisco now, so I'm familiar with the feeling of excitement and community that a downtown stadium creates. For those of you in locations where people drive 30-45 minutes to go to game, it's way different. The town changes completely for those related few hours. The atmosphere here though was really something special, beyond what I see at home. Very cool..

Here's where we sat. Monster view.

Spotted quite a bit more Royals gear than I anticipated.

Simpler times..

Among the things one learns when sitting at field-level: Mitch Maier is huge. Another: Butler, whether on the field, batting, or whatever, looks like a guy shopping for kitchenware during the Final Four. Not excited to be there. In theory, this would usually bother me. With him, it's endearing. Not sure why.

Stretch time. By the way, someone (I couldn't see from my angle) apparently throws Butler a ball every time he comes into the dugout from playing the field. Does everyone already know this?

Youk's batting music was "Just a Friend" by Biz Markie. (Not a joke.) 

As you already know, things took a turn for the sour..

Frank! 

Zack went no-cap for most of the game.

The devistating conclusion. St. Willie looks back in anger. 

Some other folks in Royals gear hollered at us in mid-photo here..

We were also on TV following a Yuni foul in the 7th. (Unfortunate zoom timing.)

Other semi-random shots of the Park.. 

My amazing wife and brother in law. (Thanks again, Dave!) 

See ya Fenway! 

All of these shots are courtesy of me, by the way. So I edited out those clunky credit links.