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Under much-anticipated new ownership, Fenway Park, baseball fans' most beloved venue, went through a transformation of sorts during 2003: Some of it new (Yawkey Way closed to traffic, seats on the Green Monster, pricey seats along the baselines, enlarged scoreboard, expansive food court behind the bleachers), some of it expected (the annual price increases, more independent vendors squeezed out, more ads inside the park), and most of it reminiscent of the transformation Baltimore's Camden Yards experienced. Still, they're doing a pretty good job updating the place, even if the signage doesn't look as classy as the architecture it's attached to. The Red Sox experienced a transformation as well: At the beginning of the season, "Closer-by-Committee" and "Statistical Baseball" were used to calm fans' doubts about the youth of a new General Manager and the bullpen's lack of relievers, closers, and a good starting left-hander. Early in the season, doubts seemed confirmed as crucial games were lost by the bullpen despite adequate starting pitching and solid hitting & fielding: By the All-Star break, those blown saves could have had the Sox in first place even though they faced a difficult schedule. But from late August through Spetember, the combination of good last-minute acquisitions by Theo Epstein, unbelievable hitting & fielding, an ever-improving bullpen, an easier schedule, adequate coaching, and a little bit of luck (like the implosion of the Seattle Mariners) would have Red Sox Nation witnessing the Sox earning a Wild-Card berth rather than suffering their usual late-season implosion. By the time the Sox hit the post-season, the transformation was complete: Pitching, the Sox's Achilles heel, had become almost dependable in Timlin, Williamson, and Embree, while the hitting was only just good enough to win with a little bit of luck...by the time the hitting woke up in Games 6 & 7 of the American League Championship Series, it's would be as if the Coach forgot all about the depth of a bullpen that took an entire season to cultivate and a Divisional Series to prove themselves. Thanks to all the nice, friendly Red Sox fans in Section 42, and Red Sox Nation for helping Michael Bolton remember the lyrics to the National Anthem prior to Game 4. Most of all, best wishes to the couple in Section 42 Row 13 (?) who got engaged during Game 3: Here's hoping you can tell your kids 1918 wasn't the last time the Sox won the Series. If you like the photos, or just want to say "Hi!", let me know.

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2 0 0 3 - P O S T - S E A S O N - P H O T O G R A P H S -- Click thumbnail or link to view a larger image -- A L C S _ G A M E _ 3 F E N W A Y _ P A R K _ 10 - 11 - 03 Two VERY devoted fans show their colors. 101103_25.JPG 437 x 293 21.4K picture coming soon Look who's back from the 1999 ALCS! 101103_22A.JPG 298 x 450 35.6K Ready to tally up "Los Punchados de Pedro" 101103_20A.JPG 533 x 361 29.7K Let's see...haircut first, then a beer... 101103_19A.JPG 397 x 269 26.5K Those Boston kids sure learn quick! 101103_18A.JPG 300 x 419 30.1K Red Sox Nation showing their support 101103_16A.JPG 300 x 444 22.6K The Ace heads for the 'pen 101103_15A.JPG 600 x 444 34.5K FYI: They could also spell "ROPED" 101103_12A.JPG 347 x 520 28.1K Things are getting serious in Sect 42 101103_06A.JPG 347 x 519 21.5K Game 3's only happy Red Sox fans 101103_05A.JPG 347 x 519 29.3K Hey Todd Walker: These two are single! 101103_04A.JPG 453 x 297 24.2K (If you are these fans, email me!) A L C S _ G A M E _ 5 F E N W A Y _ P A R K _ 10 - 12 - 03 picture coming soon picture coming soon picture coming soon picture coming soon picture coming soon picture coming soon picture coming soon picture coming soon picture coming soon

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03/14/01