Boston Red Sox Photography: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 vs. Tampa Bay Rays.

“Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine greets fans at Gate C outside of Fenway Park to thank them for their support during the 2012 season Wednesday, September 26, 2012.”

“Kids tease a grounds crew member in Canvas Alley at Fenway Park during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, September 26, 2012.”

“From left to right, Boston Red Sox outfielders Scott Podsednik, Cody Ross, and Daniel Nava have a laugh in centerfield during a pitching change in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, September 26, 2012.”

It’s hard to believe, but last night was the last home game for the Boston Red Sox this year, bringing an end to the commemorative 100th anniversary season of Fenway Park.

It hasn’t quite sunk in for me yet that the season is over. You get in such a routine with this job, and spend so much time at the stadium, that it takes a few days off to realize that it’s actually over.

The game was lackluster, and ended in a Red Sox loss. So, here is an assortment of images from the last game.

I’m not going to share all my thoughts about my work this season here just yet. I’ll save that for later. I’m hOOOOOOping that there’s more baseball still to come…

Boston Red Sox Photography: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 vs. Tampa Bay Rays.

“The 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship Team greets fans as they are driven around Fenway Park in Duck Boats during a special pre-game ceremony Tuesday, September 25, 2012.”

“Former Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar and pitcher Pedro Martinez takes part in a pre-game ceremony with the 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship Team Tuesday, September 25, 2012.”

“Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Keith Foulke throws out the ceremonial first pitch as members of the 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship Team watch behind him during a special pre-game ceremony Tuesday, September 25, 2012.”

“A Boston Red Sox logo cut in the center field grass at Fenway Park is shown Tuesday, September 25, 2012.”

We’ve reached the point of the season in Boston where the actual games themselves have become overshadowed in importance by other story lines going on. The Red Sox played their last two home games of the 2012 season this week, bringing a close to the 100th anniversary season at Fenway Park. 

On Tuesday night, members of the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox team came back to Boston to greet fans. They were carted around the field in three Duck Tour boats, a throwback to the championship parade in Boston in 2004. 

It was a pretty hectic event to shoot, but it was a lot of fun, and neat to see that incredible team all in one place!

Photos: Red Sox Legends Attend Johnny Pesky Memorial.

“David Ortiz, Tim Wakefield, and Jason Varitek attend a public memorial service at Fenway Park Sunday, September 23, 2012 for Johnny Pesky, who passed away earlier this year.”

“Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Pedro Martinez, Dustin Pedroia, and David Ortiz share their memories about Johnny Pesky at a public memorial service at Fenway Park for Pesky Sunday, September 23, 2012, who passed away earlier this year.

“Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens speaks at a public memorial service at Fenway Park Sunday, August 23, 2012 for Johnny Pesky, who passed away earlier this year.

“Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez speaks during a public memorial service at Fenway Park Sunday, September 23, 2012 for Johnny Pesky, who passed away earlier this year.

“Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine signs Pesky’s Pole during a public memorial service at Fenway Park Sunday, September 23, 2012 for Johnny Pesky, who passed away earlier this year.”

“Current and former Boston Red Sox players lay down roses around a number ‘6’ on the infield dirt during a public memorial service at Fenway Park Sunday, September 23, 2012 for Johnny Pesky, who passed away earlier this year.”

Here are a some images from Sunday evening’s public memorial service for Boston Red Sox great Johnny Pesky, who passed away earlier this season. This was an interesting event to cover, as it brought together multiple generations of players and members of the Red Sox organization.

It’s difficult not to get good pictures when you have so many legends sitting in one spot together. It’s always good when you get Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Tim Wakefield, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice, and Reggie Smith to name a few at the same time. 

Boston Red Sox Photography: Sunday, September 23, 2012 vs. Baltimore Orioles.

“Boston Red Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik slides back to first base during a game against the Baltimore Orioles Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Fenway Park.”

“Boston Red Sox outfielder Cody Ross runs after hitting a double during the eighth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Fenway Park.”

Not too much happening in the way of action during this game. I tried to mix things up and get some different angles, so I shot from the stands a good amount.

Boston Red Sox Photography: Saturday, September 22, 2012 vs Baltimore Orioles.

“Boston Red Sox left fielder Daniel Nava attempts to catch a fly ball during the sixth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Fenway Park.”

“Boston Red Sox reliever Craig Breslow delivers during the eighth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Fenway Park.”

“Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones smiles during a game against the Boston Red Sox Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Fenway Park.”

“Baltimore Orioles second baseman Robert Andino looks on from the dugout during a game against the Boston Red Sox Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Fenway Park.”

I’m way late on these, but here are some images from last Saturday’s game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles. I got some good action and we had some really nice light and shadows to work with, particularly throughout the later innings.

It was also fun to shoot some Orioles photos as they come down the stretch of an incredible playoff run!

Boston Red Sox Photography: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 vs. New York Yankees.

“Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester makes an appearance for the Make A Wish Foundation Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at Fenway Park.”

“Boston Red Sox broadcaster Joe Castiglione narrates his own ceremonial first pitch after a pre-game ceremony honoring his 30 year career Wednesday, September 12, 2012.”

“Steps in the outfield bleachers at Fenway Park are shown Wednesday, September 12, 2012.”

I’m a bit late on this post, but I didn’t shoot much game action from Wednesday night that was worth blogging about. Instead, I’ve posted a few miscellaneous frames I shot from the evening’s happenings around the park. 

The ceremonial first pitch photo is just like every other ceremonial first pitch photo I shoot, except I thought it was pretty neat how broadcaster Joe Castiglione gave play by play commentary of his own pitch through his microphone while he was throwing it. 

Boston Red Sox Photography: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 vs. New York Yankees.

“Boston Red Sox third baseman Pedro Ciriaco celebrates after scoring the game winning run against the New York Yankees Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Ciriaco scored from second base on a walk-off single by Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox won 4-3.”

“Boston Red Sox teammates crowd center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury after Ellsbury hit a walk-off single against the New York Yankees Tuesday, September 11, 2012. The Red Sox won 4-3.”

“An American flag is dropped over the Green Monster at Fenway Park during a pre-game ceremony honoring the 11th anniversary of September 11, 2001.”

I felt like I photographed two different baseball games last night. After a tribute to lives lost on September 11 during the pre-game ceremonies, Fenway Park was as quiet, subdued, and peaceful as I’ve ever seen it for the first couple innings. 

Yet by the end of the game, the park was well alive as Jacoby Ellsbury hit a walk-off single to beat the New York Yankees 4-3. 

It was one of the better walk-off wins I’ve shot, and we got some really nice reaction out of the players. I’m quite satisfied with the first image I posted above. I love the umpire’s “SAFE!” gesture. 

This game’s “Thing I Learned”: I’m starting to really like shooting wide rather than tight for these walk-off wins. From my angle last night, shooting with long glass wouldn’t have worked well. 

Boston Red Sox Photography: Sunday, September 9, 2012 vs. Toronto Blue Jays.

“Boston Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway attempts to tag Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Gose during the fourth inning Sunday, September 9, 2012.”

As a sports photographer, I’m constantly looking for new and interesting angles, and I’m always seeking ways to give viewers a fresh perspective on the games and events they watch and follow.
This can be quite a challenge at times – particularly during a long 162 game baseball season – but it’s that search for the better shot that keeps me going. 
Sometimes, you’ll spend an entire game looking for something that never happens. Other times, you happen to be in the right place when something exciting goes down. Today was one of those days. 
While this angle has certainly been shot in baseball plenty of times, I personally haven’t had any luck getting a good image from up high all year. I knew this was a good one when I shot it, so I felt good about my day despite a Red Sox loss

Photo: Dustin Pedroia Fielding Lesson.

“Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia gives a fielding lesson as one of the Red Sox Foundation auction items Saturday, September 8, 2012.”

I don’t have anything worth posting from last night’s game, which went past midnight due to several long, horrible rain delays. Instead, I thought I’d post one from a private Dustin Pedroia fielding lesson that I shot before the game yesterday.
Here’s hoping for a better game today! Also, happy start to the football season!

Photos: Gymnast Aly Raisman, Judoka Kayla Harrison, other Olympians visit Fenway Park.

“Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast Aly Raisman takes in the view from the field before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park Saturday, August 25, 2012.”

“Gymnast Aly Raisman takes in the view from the field before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park Saturday, August 25, 2012.”

“Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast Aly Raisman signs autographs before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park Saturday, August 25, 2012.”

“Olympic Gold Medal judoka Kayla Harrison laughs before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park Saturday, August 25, 2012.”

“Team USA 2012 Olympic Gold Medal basketball players Tina Charles and Asjha Jones, judoka Kayla Harrison, and gymnast Aly Raisman line up before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park.”

This past Saturday, several members of the 2012 United States Olympic team – those originally from New England – were honored in a Ceremonial First Pitch presentation at Fenway Park. 

Among the athletes on hand were two-time Gold Medal gymnast, Aly Raisman, Gold Medal judoka, Kayla Harrison, and Tina Charles and Asjha Jones of the Gold Medal winning women’s basketball team.

This was really neat to see after watching so much of the games this year on TV! Here’s hoping to cover the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro!