Rainy Fenway

Jim Ingraham
JIngraham@News-Herald.com
The mist and fog hung low over the 52-story Prudential Tower, which dominates the Boston skyline, as seen from the press box at Fenway Park. This was Thursday afternoon, when the Indians were supposed to be working out in preparation for tonight’s first game of the American League Championship Series.
Because of the inclement conditions, the formal workout never took place. Tribe players took some turns in the indoor batting cage, did some light throwing on the edges of the tarp that was covering the field, and that was about it.
Instead, the Indians’ players spent the afternoon ensconced in what is the smallest visitors clubhouse in the American League. The Indians’ home clubhouse at Jacobs Field is the largest in the league, so the adjustment when they visit the cramped quarters of the vistitors’ clubhouse at Fenway Park is considerable.
With all the players in the clubhouse, plus the large media throng on hand to cover the ALCS, the clubhouse Thursday was pretty much wall to wall people.
For all those reasons, if the Indians do win the ALCS, the media contingent is hoping the clincher comes in Cleveland. The Indians’ huge clubhouse in Cleveland allows reporters a better chance to dodge the champagne showers that accompany all post-game celebrations following postseason wins.
The visitors clubhouse at Fenway is so small that any celebration held there virtually guarantees that everyone goes home drenched.