Two Pictures of Hope on a Friday Night in Boston

Friday night, I walked up Boylston Street on my way to Fenway Park for the Red Sox-Orioles game. Just past the Hynes Center, I encountered a line of people stretching down the street and wrapping around the corner. Some hot new club or restaurant? No. People waiting to purchase new iPhone 3G's at the Apple Store.



At Fenway, the Orioles pulled ahead in the first inning and held on to win the game. But at the bottom of the ninth, there was one of those moments that makes me love baseball. Baltimore was up 7 to 3, but through hits and walks, the Red Sox found themselves at bat with two outs and the bases loaded. Kevin Youkilis came to the plate. The count went to 2 and 2. The Red Sox fans were on their feet. If he hit a grand slam, the game would be tied. Fate could change in an instant. And then . . . who knows?



Alas, he swung and missed. The Orioles won.

Oh, well. It was a perfect summer evening, and everyone left the stadium in a good mood.