Students Celebrate World Series Championship as Part of Sox' Family
November 21, 2007
It's safe to say that Mary Sheehan '09 had a view for this year's Boston Red Sox' World Series celebration rally that could not have been much better.
As a member of the team's ticket office at Fenway Park, Sheehan was one of the Sox' employees who participated in the rolling rally, parading through Boston on October 30th aboard one of the Boston Duck Tours' amphibious vehicles.
Employed by the Sox since March, Sheehan started hearing word of her department's inclusion in the parade shortly after the team clinched its second title in four years with a sweep against the Colorado Rockies.
"At first I wasn't sure if I could be in it, I thought maybe it was only for full-time employees," she said. "But eventually we got an email saying that it was for everyone."
The day of the parade, Sheehan got a chance to meet and greet players and coaches as they eagerly boarded the duck boats in preparation for the parade. She recalls all the players being "really friendly," with manager Terry Francona being especially talkative and sociable with members of the extended Sox family.
"It was pretty exciting," she said with a smile.
Sheehan represents one of a few Emmanuel students who celebrated the Red Sox title as a part-time employee at Fenway Park. Kayra Contreras '08, who works as a hostess at the State Street Pavilion Club (formerly the .406 Club), has been with the team since 2005, and was on hand for the home games during the playoff run. A New Jersey native originally from the Dominican Republic, Contreras says being a baseball fan is in her blood, and she has loved every part of her time with the Sox.
"It's the best job I have ever had," she said. "The whole season doesn't even feel like you're working. You can watch the game on the television screens or through the glass windows. It doesn't feel like a job at all."
Tyler Norton '09 has spent the last two seasons as a photographer for Fanfoto, snapping pictures of the Sox faithful during games. A transfer from Champlain College, Norton landed the position through a former high school baseball coach who started the business. According to Norton, the atmosphere during the playoffs was completely different compared to the regular season.
"Even if people weren't going to the game they were just excited to be around Fenway," he said.
One of the things Norton has enjoyed most about his job has been the behind-the-scenes moments he has been able to be a part of. Reporting for duty a few hours before the start of each game, he was able to watch and even meet some of his favorite players as they warmed up on the field.
"Getting to be there during batting practice, I got to know some of the players," he said. "Having that personal connection with the team made it feel so much nicer to see them have such success."
Watching batting practice before the gates opened was one component Lauren Rocha '09, who worked as an usher in the bleacher section, especially enjoyed as well. Overall though, for her, it was the little things the Boston brass did for their employees that added up to a truly agreeable work environment.
"They promote us being fans, so it's great that we get to enjoy the games as we do our jobs," she said.
Among the list of special events she enjoyed live this season was the American League East title celebration, which occurred about an hour after game time thanks to a New York Yankees' defeat. Sharing the moment with what felt like just a handful of fans left in the park that night was a moment she will not soon forget.
"There were only about 1,000 people who hung around the extra hour to wait for the Yankees' game to end," she said. "It was cool to be a part of it."
Due to the excitement surrounding the playoffs, Rocha admits she was OK with the Red Sox clinching the World Series away in Colorado. With fans showing up earlier throughout the playoffs and the must-win nature of the games adding to the already intense adrenaline rush, she didn't mind being able to celebrate the championship simply as a fan.
"It was nice to be able to watch it on TV and just enjoy it," she said.
Ashley McGonagle '10, who spent the season working at one of the park's concession stands, on the other hand, wanted nothing more than one more game at home.
"A lot of us were hoping it would go to six games so we could be back at Fenway," she said of her fellow Aramark Concessions co-workers. "We thought it would be more exciting to win at home and be there to see it."
While unfortunately none of the students met the criteria to receive a championship ring (employees must work a minimum of 1,000 hours during the year to qualify), all agreed that the memories of their contribution to the 2007 Red Sox season have certainly proven award enough.
"I don't think people expected [the Red Sox] to win another championship so quickly after 2004," said Rocha. "For me to see two World Series championships - and actually work for one - is awesome."