“Boston Red Sox teammates run out of the dugout in celebration as pitcher Koji Uehara and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia embrace after recording the final out of a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to clinch the American League East title at Fenway Park Friday, September 23, 2013.”“Boston Red Sox teammates run out of the dugout in celebration after recording the final out of a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to clinch the American League East title at Fenway Park Friday, September 23, 2013.”“Boston Red Sox teammates celebrate on the field after recording the final out of a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to clinch the American League East title at Fenway Park Friday, September 20, 2013.”“Fans cheer during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 22, 2013. The Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.”“Boston Red Sox first first baseman Mike Napoli removes his shirt and sprays a bottle of champagne as teammates celebrate on the field after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox outfielder Quintin Berry sprays fans with champagne on top of the dugout during an on-field celebration after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox pitchers Ryan Dempster and Brandon Snyder spray fans with champagne on the dugout during an on-field celebration after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes celebrates in a helmet and goggles on the field after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox pitchers Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara drink beer in the dugout during an on-field celebration after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is mobbed by fans during an on-field celebration after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz celebrates after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox teammates pose for a photograph on the pitcher’s mound during an on-field celebration after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”
Two years ago in September, I was in the first base photo bit at Camden Yards in Baltimore, shooting photos as the Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox in dramatic fashion and ultimately eliminating them from the playoffs. Here are those pictures, and what I wrote about that memorable and historic night.
It’s funny how things come full circle. After a last place finish last year in Boston, the Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays last Friday night to clinch a first place finish in an extremely competitive American League East Division, and to secure their spot into the 2013 postseason.
I was incredibly excited to shoot this game, and at the prospect of shooting these celebration photos. This is easily the most memorable experience I’ve had in my four seasons shooting baseball. For me, there’s no bigger an adrenaline rush than being a witness to these moments of peak emotion and jubilation in sports. As a photographer and as a baseball fan, it doesn’t get any better.
These are a selection of photos I shot, both right after the last out of the game was recorded and as the team celebrated on the field after the game. The first one, of pitcher Koji Uehara and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia celebrating as the team runs out behind them, has quickly become one of the favorite photos I’ve shot.
I can’t wait to be on hand to shoot October playoff baseball in Boston! Here’s hoping for a World Series championship.
“Boston Red Sox teammates celebrate as shortstop Stephen Drew runs to first base after hitting the game winning RBI single with the bases loaded during the bottom of the fifteenth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners Thursday, August 1, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”“Boston Red Sox teammates mob shortstop Stephen Drew after Drew hits a game winning RBI single with the bases loaded during the bottom of the fifteenth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners Thursday, August 1, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”“Fans help drop the American flag over the Green Monster during a Military appreciation ceremony before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”“The color guard awaits a Military appreciation ceremony before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”“The color guard awaits a Military appreciation ceremony before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”“Boston Red Sox third baseman Brock Holt throws toward first base during the seventh inning of a game against the the Seattle Mariners Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”“Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia attempts to tag out catcher Humberto Quintero at home plate during the sixth inning of a game against the the Seattle Mariners Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”“Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia rounds first base after a two-run home run during to give the Red sox a 4-3 lead during the seventh inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”“Boston Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava breaks his bat during the tenth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”“Boston Red Sox third baseman Brandon Snyder slides into second base and evades a tag by second baseman Nick Franklin during the fourteenth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”“Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia applies a tag on Brendan Ryan at second base during the twelfth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”
Five Hours. Three Minutes. Fifteen Innings.
That’s what it took to finish last night’s game between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners. I think this was, by time, the longest game I’ve ever shot, even though I covered an 18 inning game here last season.
The Sox have been clutch in the late-game situations this year, so knowing that we’ve had plenty of walk-off winning photos from down low, I decided to mix things up and go up high for a different vantage point. Early in the ninth inning, I went to the upper deck in left field, hoping for a walk-off win. Seven innings later, I got what I was hoping for.
Although this game went well past midnight, and I had to change my captions from July to August, it was worth the wait. The win looked really nice from my spot, and to me, there’s no better feeling than getting a good picture. Here are those photos, as well as a selection of others from throughout the night (in no particular order – I’m too sleepy still to think about it).
