Hon and Fred Rooney throw out the first pitch at the Red Sox/Yankees game, June 11, 2009.
Let me interrupt the chain of events in my blog to comment on a night I shall never forget. On Thursday, June 11th my husband Fred and I had the pleasure of throwing out the first pitch at Fenway Park before the Red Sox and Yankees game. John Hancock Financial Services which is headquartered in the South Boston Seaport District, awarded us this unsolicited honor to recognize our family contributions to civic, non-profit and youth organizations. I guess giving of oneself does have a way of being rewarded! From 4 P.M. to almost midnight we along with 45 members of the Rooney family were treated like royalty by the staff of the Red Sox organization and the Hancock team. Special thanks go to Hancock VP Carol Fulp who arranged the evening. We cannot adequately express how thankful we are for the hospitality showed to us.
I hadn’t been to Fenway Park for a couple years but do always watch Red Sox baseball games faithfully. It certainly is an amazing place and the improvements that have been made to it are spectacular especially looking down from the Green Monster seats area and looking up from the pitcher’s mound. The weather cooperated so that made the night even more enjoyable. The moment Fred and I threw the first pitch together is something I will always cherish. Yes, both pitches made it to the plate but probably would not have been called strikes!
Our family group were joined in a Hancock suite by former Red Sox left fielder Jim Rice. I do remember him well when he played for the Red Sox but did not realize the phenomenal record he accrued as an outfielder and hitter. He was recently voted to be inducted into the Baseball of Fame which will take place in July. Beyond that, I would like to comment on how impressed our family was with Mr. Rice not only as a famous baseball player but as the “gentleman” he proved to be during the six innings he spent with us. There were 10 excited children under the age of 11 with us and no one could be more patient with them as they swarmed the Hall of Famer with questions and requests for his signature.
Let me interrupt the chain of events in my blog to comment on a night I shall never forget. On Thursday, June 11th my husband Fred and I had the pleasure of throwing out the first pitch at Fenway Park before the Red Sox and Yankees game. John Hancock Financial Services which is headquartered in the South Boston Seaport District, awarded us this unsolicited honor to recognize our family contributions to civic, non-profit and youth organizations. I guess giving of oneself does have a way of being rewarded! From 4 P.M. to almost midnight we along with 45 members of the Rooney family were treated like royalty by the staff of the Red Sox organization and the Hancock team. Special thanks go to Hancock VP Carol Fulp who arranged the evening. We cannot adequately express how thankful we are for the hospitality showed to us.
I hadn’t been to Fenway Park for a couple years but do always watch Red Sox baseball games faithfully. It certainly is an amazing place and the improvements that have been made to it are spectacular especially looking down from the Green Monster seats area and looking up from the pitcher’s mound. The weather cooperated so that made the night even more enjoyable. The moment Fred and I threw the first pitch together is something I will always cherish. Yes, both pitches made it to the plate but probably would not have been called strikes!
Our family group were joined in a Hancock suite by former Red Sox left fielder Jim Rice. I do remember him well when he played for the Red Sox but did not realize the phenomenal record he accrued as an outfielder and hitter. He was recently voted to be inducted into the Baseball of Fame which will take place in July. Beyond that, I would like to comment on how impressed our family was with Mr. Rice not only as a famous baseball player but as the “gentleman” he proved to be during the six innings he spent with us. There were 10 excited children under the age of 11 with us and no one could be more patient with them as they swarmed the Hall of Famer with questions and requests for his signature.
Fred and I with Red Sox legend Jim Rice.
We want to say ‘Thank you Jim” for a night I shall always remember and I am sure my family members will never forget. As his induction into the Baseball Ball Hall of Fame approaches we congratulate him on this well deserved honor and send him our Best wishes for success in all his future endeavors.
Capping off the night, the Red Sox rallied for 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to squeeze out a 4-3 win over the Yankees. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Fred and I with our sons at Fenway Park.
