The brawl that broke out during the opening night of the Boston Pops sent shock waves through the city, and was a source of amusement for many. But not, apparently, for the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox had planned to have the Pops perform at Fenway before an upcoming game, but Larry Lucchino recently stepped forward and banned any future appearances for the Pops to appear at Fenway Park.
“We’re very much concerned about the type of crowd they attract,” Lucchino explained. “Anyone who comes into our beloved park must do so in a wholesome and pure spirit. We don’t want the type of troublemakers who come to the Boston Pops muddying our image.”
An incensed Keith Lockhart replied, “All I have to say to that is: has the man ever walked into the bleachers at Fenway? My goodness gracious, I took some friends to a game once and we sat out there just for fun. It was like some lawless jungle out there. There wasn’t a sober person to be seen. There were unspeakable acts being committed. It’s a miracle no one was killed.”
Indeed, statistics show that on any given night at Fenway Park, 83 percent of the fans in the bleachers are legally intoxicated—and 42 percent are carrying a weapon. While these numbers pale in comparison to Yankee Stadium, where intoxication, drug trafficking, and violence are expected and even celebrated, one wonders if Lucchino isn’t being a tad hypocritical in banning the Pops from Fenway.
“Look, the fans in the bleachers at Fenway are just blowing off a little steam,” Lucchino said dismissively when informed of the statistics on the bleachers. “It’s all in good fun. The type things happening at the Pops, and the type of lowlifes they attract—that’s just scary. Tell Lockhart to clean up his act and we’ll consider inviting them back to Fenway.”
bill@callofthegreenmonster.com
