An Emotional Flag Raising at Fenway

I had the pleasure of being at Fenway on Friday for my first championship flag-raising and ring ceremony. (I love the fact that I have to use the term "first" in that sentence. Of three this past ten years.) I went up with the BLOHARDS on their bus trip, for the fourth time in the last five years. We sat in the right field grandstand, just to the foul side of the Pesky Pole.

It was cold, but everyone was really enjoying the ceremonies. The Boston Fire Department's Ladder 15 and Engine 33 members came out and assisted the Red Sox players, coaches and front people in raising the championship flag.It was quite an emotional moment.

Members of all four of Boston's sports teams came out of left field and assisted Mayor Marty Walsh in throwing out the first ball. Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell represented the other Red Sox title teams.

The biggest ovations of the day went to Dustin Pedroia, Koji Uehara, Shane Victorino, Jon Lester and David Ortiz, who got the last ring in the ceremony.

It was a good opener until the ninth inning, when Edward Mujica had absolutely nothing and gave up four runs and turned the day into a 6-2 loss to Milwaukee.

And last night wasn't much better. I was away all day but got home in time for the bottom of the 11th, as the pitcher once known as K-Rod struck the Red Sox out in order to give Milwaukee a second straight win, 7-6. Clay Buchholz was horrific, allowing 13 hits and 6 runs in less than 5 innings work.

Now they have to win today in order to salvage the series. That's no way for a team that raised a World Series championship flag this weekend to begin their home schedule.