It was some years ago when I was at Fenway park doing research and interviewing for one of my baseball books. My son Fred was then a teenager and he accompanied me to the park dressed in a red sweater and packing his baseball glove -- just in case.
We arrived at the legendary park quite a few hours before game time as is my practice when I am working. Fenway was empty. There was no one in the stands but my son anxious to catch a ball.

For all of you out there who think you know your baseball—especially Boston Red Sox baseball—this is the quiz for you. With a tip of the BoSox cap to John Quinn and Dave Martin who know the score.
Fifteen questions. Answers follow the questions, so no peeking. A score of nine or more correct makes you a major leaguer. Below that you are in the minors but on your way up.
Warning: there is one trick question.
Have fun.
And if you want to really participate, there will be Red Sox Quiz III - send in some questions and answers and perhaps they will make it into print.

The stunning news came across all media channels: Carl Beane, 59, died after his SUV crashed against a stone wall and a tree in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

A local announcer in the Boston area for many years, the affable Beane drove a Suzuki whose rear tire cover showcased his name. Police determined that it was a single-car accident and that his vehicle, heading north, crossed the double solid lines, left the road and hit a tree and a wall. No passengers were in Beane’s vehicle. No other automobiles were involved in the crash.

(Adapted from Remembering Fernway Park)

The gang was, literally, all there on April 20, 2012. The 100th birthday bash for venerable Fenway Park was the main event--it even upstaged the game between the Yankees and Red Sox. It was a marker moment in the rivalry between the franchises, a memorable piece of history for Fenway.

Caroline Kennedy threw out the first ball just as her great-grandfafther "Honey Fitz" Kennedy had done on April 20, 1912 when the Yankees (known as the Highlanders then) and the Bostons battled. For the record, back then the BoSox eked out an extra-inning triumph.

I was a lifelong New Yorker until about 16 years ago. And then, I moved on to teach and write and live in New England.

Back in the Big Apple, I had always been a keenly interested onlooker to the rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox. But it wasn't until I was living in the mountains of New Hampshire that I realized, via conversations at the gas pumps, town dump and in the general store just how important "The Rivalry" is...especially to Red Sox Nation.