[sa meredith]

OK...I was staying away from this thread...and probably for the wrong reasons. But I have a pretty good story.
1st of all, the reason for staying away is I simply have issues with the "johnny come lately, pink hats". The bandwagon jumpers. I've been a huge B's fan since 1974 (7 years old) watched every game that I could back in the 70's when mom thought I was asleep...remember???? channel 38 (WSBK) only. Black and white, ALWAYS fuzzy (no cable then), with tin foil wrapped around the rabbit ears to get better reception. Lived and died with them in the 80's...I hugged the TV, and ripped the cord clean off when Brad Park scored the OT game 7 gaol to beat Buffalo in 1984, TV was ruined...also,if you don't know who Peter Klima is, you are the people I am refferring to..if you do know, then you undestand my feelings. Also, if I say "blackout" game, a real B's fan knows what I mean.
It's just tough to follow the Finals with people who don't know what "off sides" means, when I was screaming about the lack of a PP, back in Dec, Jan, Feb.
I've been in a group that shares season ticket in section 2, row 13 since the building opened in 1995. No, I did not go to a Finals game, but saw game 5 of Montreal in person(argueably the most exciting game of the playoffs, double OT) and all 4 of the home Tampa Bay series in person.
Anyway...I just have difficulty sharing the moments with people who most likely watched 1 or 2 regaular season games at the most. Truth be told...there is room for everyone, and the issues are mis - guided. I understand that.
The story:
I wanted to see the cup in person, as I never have in my 44 years. However, fighting 1,000,000 on Saturday morning didn't seem like my best bet. So, although I was in Meredith, I decided Fenway Park on Sunday would be a nice way to go. Drive down alone, buy a cheap single, walk down to the lower boxes before the game, see The Cup, watch a few innings, and head back to Meredith.
What turned into a comedy of errors, quickly morphed into one on the most exciitng moments of my life.
Although I left enough time, 93 south is under construction from about Wilmington, to Stoneham...10/15 miles, 15MPH. Set me back. Tried the 2 parking lots at Fenway I use...both full. It's now 1:10. Pay $40 to park. Scurry quickly, to grab a cheapy on the street. Doesn't work, game is huge, scalpers want 75/100 for even a bad seat. I hear the anthem playing, and know time is short, and just about figure, "well, miss the ceremony, but continue on a search for a ticket, and watch some ball.
Here we go: I walk down Lansdown street at 1:35, and see the garage door leading into center field wide open (it is NEVER open), and State Police hanging around. I instantly figure that the duck boats are to come up Lansdown and turn left into the park. There are maybe 50/75 people hanging around the entrance...most people have already gone in, not wanting to miss the ceremony.
So, I run a sprint down Lansdown where there is simply noone. Empty sidewalks...thinking they must be coming from that direction. And three Duck boats turn the corner, where they are stopped by a police cruiser, who is waiting for the "all clear" sign from the cops up at the entrance. And I get a full 60/75 second private showing of The Cup, and talked to Chara, Tyler, and Timmy T. It gets better...
I asked Chara to lean over the side so I can touch The Cup...he says of course. I touch it, and he then says..."why don't you photo?"...and holds The Cup two feet from my face, looking me right in the eyes, and I snap the photo. I'll post it tomorrow...it's on a cell phone, and the cell phone stayed on the boat today.
The duck boats are stopped...so I walk to the next one and there is Tyler.
The next one...Timmy T. All I could think of was "Tim, I'll remember your game 5 Tampa save for the rest of my life"
He simply smiled and gave me a double thumbs up.
And off they rode.
And I was left thinking...wow, fate brought me to that moment, and gave me a private showing...even if only for a minute. I'll never forget it...although I'm sure a year from now it will seem less earth shattering. For now...I TOUCHED THE FREAKIN' STANLEY CUP!!!!!!!!!!!