Sure Boston is fanatical about their Red Sox, but we're actually obsessed with every sport our city has to offer. This guide will fill you in on everything you need to know about sports in Boston.
The Red Sox
Obviously you’re a Red Sox fan. You are a Bostonian afterall. You know how hard Red Sox tickets are to come by, but you also know how completely possible it is to get them (hi, Craigslist, scalpers, StubHub). You do whatever it takes to get to a game. Or 10.
The most beautiful park in the country (I’m not biased or anything…)
New England Patriots
While we didn’t see the most fantastic end to the 2007/2008 season, the New England Patriots did make some records that will go down in history. And hey, as Bostonians, we’re used to last-minute disappointments.
Now known as Gillette Stadium, this is the home to the Patriots.
Now known as Gillette Stadium, this is the home to the Patriots.
It’s almost a requirement that every Bostonian, woman and man, be completely infatuated by Tom Brady, so this online greeting card from someecards.com is very appropriate.
The Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is held on Patriots’ Day every year, and it’s a favorite holiday for many Bostonians. First held in 1897, it’s the world’s oldest annual marathon and more than 20,000 people run in the race.
Of course, to many Bostonians, Marathon Day means a day off from work, a early afternoon Red Sox game, and a day filled with spring weather and drinking. But really, we do watch and cheer on the runners too.
Another Boston staple, the Head of the Charles Regatta is a rowing race held on the Charles River every October. The event is the largest 2-day regatta in the country, with more than 8,000 athletes rowing.
300,000 spectators come out to watch the event, and enjoy the last days of nice autumn weather before the cold hits.
Rowers at the Head of the Charles
The Boston Cannons
Did you know Boston has a professional lacrosse team? Well, we do. The Boston Cannons is one of the original six teams of Major League Lacrosse. They play right in Harvard Stadium, and tickets to the games are easier to get than to say, a Red Sox game.
To learn more about the team and to get tickets to a Boston Cannons game, check out their website.
The Boston Lobsters
If you didn’t know Boston had a lacrosse team, you probably didn’t know we had a tennis team. The Boston Lobsters were actually owned by Robert Kraft from 1974-1978. The team then folded, but returned to the league in 2005.
Chowdaheadz has pretty much any and all the Boston sports gear you could ever need.
Just one of the many shirts at Chowdaheadz.
The Garden
We really don’t know what it’s called anymore, so most of us just refer to it as “The Garden.” Built in 1928, Boston Garden was demolished in 1997, becoming the Fleet Center. Many Bostonians had a difficult time no longer referring to it as the Garden. But just as we were getting used to it, it underwent another name change and is now the TD Banknorth Garden. Which means we can call it the Garden again.
Not only do the Celtics and Bruins play all their home games at the Garden, various concerts and events are also held here. Among the many I’ve seen include Dave Matthews, Ricky Martin (yes, Ricky Martin), Mariah Carey, and Maroon 5.
I used to not care very much for basketball (watching it on TV annoys me…the squeak of the sneakers and the shrillness of the buzzer drive me crazy). But then I went to a couple of Celtics games and had a blast. The energy in the Garden during the games is amazing.
It doesn’t hurt that the team is having a fabulous season, with a speical thanks to Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. Boston is loving this year’s Celtics success!
Not very well publicized, the Sports Museum is pretty tiny, but full of gems for any Boston sports lover. In fact, currently at the museum is the Ortiz Red Sox jersey that was excavated from the foundation of the new Yankee Stadium.
Also at the museum is the old Boston Garden penalty box, Larry Bird’s locker, the shoes Adam Vinatieri was wearing when he kicked the winning field goal of Super Bowl XXXVI, Ted Williams’ locker, and more.
Cask’n Flagon was voted the #2 best baseball bar in the nation by ESPN, so you know it has to be good. Tons of TVs (even one in the bathroom), decent food, and lots of beer!
I’m not gonna lie, my favorite thing about the Greatest Bar is their vast array of Van Gogh Vodka. They have almost every kind (try the Double Espresso!), but the Greatest Bar is also a fabulous place to watch the game (any game!) at.
NESN
NESN (New England Sports Network) is the go-to television station for Boston sports coverage.
Sox Appeal is a NESN reality dating show in which a man and woman go on a date during a Red Sox game.
Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy are NESN’s Red Sox game announcers. Both Knowledgeable and entertaining, watch this example of their hilarious announcing.
Boston Ski and Sport Club
“For forty years the Boston Ski & Sports Club has excelled in providing activities that make it easy to play sports, be adventurous, ski, travel, and connect with other enthusiasts in the Greater Boston area. Over 30,000 active professionals participate in BSSC’s incredible lineup of year-round dynamic, affordable, and well-organized activities for members, non-members and corporate groups.”
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