Red Sox fans "cheered, chanted and caroused in the streets Wednesday," celebrating the first time the team has "captured a World Series title at home since Babe Ruth was in the lineup," according to David Klepper of the AP. An excited Boston Mayor Tom Menino tweeted, "Get the ducks ready, we’re having a parade." The Boston Police Dept. "set up barriers to funnel the crowds away from Fenway Park and mounted police and officers on bicycles patrolled the area." A large group "gathered near the marathon finish line, chanting and blocking traffic until police arrived." The BPD later said on Twitter that they had "arrested nine people for unruly behavior. " The BPD throughout the night had "tweeted cautionary messages, encouraging fans to 'Celebrate with pride' and 'Celebrate responsibly'" (AP, 10/31). The BPD in between the third and fourth inning "issued a statement that the Bars around Fenway Park were at full capacity" (NBCSPORTS.com, 10/30). In Connecticut, Steven Yablonski writes security "was tight at the World Series, but the team opened up the stadium after the game so fans could also enjoy the trophy celebration" (WFSB.com, 10/31). In Boston, Filipov, Baker & Powers note as the celebration at Fenway "carried into Thursday morning, hundreds of people assembled at the finish line of the Boston Marathon." It was a moment that "defined what this World Series championship meant: the crowning achievement of a team’s rise from the ashes of last year’s lost season, and a city’s rise from its darkest hours last April" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/31).
CROWD SOURCING: Fox’ AJ Pierzynski said after the Red Sox had won Game Six, "I'm amazed by the crowd right now. The crowd is from before first pitch, from batting practice when they opened the gates to now, it's been electric. … This is the best crowd I've seen at a clinching World Series game in a long time." Fox' Harold Reynolds said he was "standing two feet' from his co-hosts and "I can't even hear you that's how loud it is in this building right now and we're outside." Fox' Matt Vasgersian said authorities 'have closed off streets around Fenway Park. Anybody thinking about coming down here, don't even try it because you're not going to get close" ("World Series Game 6," Fox, 10/30).
MORE THAN A GAME: USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale writes, "If truth be told, the Red Sox players relished sharing this historic moment with their fans, spending more time on the field than inside the privacy of their clubhouse." Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia "ran around the field after the game carrying a Boston Strong flag, symbolizing the faith of the city after the Boston Marathon bombing." Red Sox Senior Advisor Dr. Charles Steinberg said, "Sometimes, you recognize baseball history as its being written. This year, we were recognizing American history as its being written" (USATODAY.com, 10/31). MLB.com's Alyson Footer notes the players "eventually were ushered to the clubhouse as 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley & The Wailers took over on the loudspeaker." Players wore "goggles and helmets with little video recording devices attached to the top." Footer: "The chaos was in full force. Players. Wives. Kids. Coaches. Front-office workers. Reporters. Secretary of State John Kerry" (MLB.com, 10/31).
