The Great Fenway Park Writers Series presents Tim Kurkjian

Seeing the two World Series trophies together was a beautiful sight indeed. (SawxBlog Photo - Derek Hixon)

Last night I attended another wonderful event that was put on by George Mitrovich and The Great Fenway Park Writers Series. The event was held in the State Street Pavilion section in Fenway Park, and as you can see from the above photo, the event got started off on the best foot possible! They had on display both World Series trophies along with their AL Champion counterparts and it truly was a beautiful sight. I'm sure a good portion of you were able to see the trophy after 2004, however seeing both together was pretty daunting indeed.

The guest of honor for the night is one of my favorite writers and analyst's in the baseball community, Mr. Tim Kurkjian, who is currently promoting his new book "Is This a Great Game, or What?" which will be read and reviewed here on SawxBlog shortly. Before Tim spoke to the crowd on hand the chairman of the Writers Series, Mr. George Mitrovich, welcomed everyone to the event (which included among others former Governor Michael Dukakis) and introduced the official poet laureate of Red Sox Nation, Mr. Dick Flavin. Flavin went on to read his latest poem, a tribute to the 2007 Boston Red Sox that literally had people howling and standing upon the conclusion. Flavin's has to be considered one of the characters of RSN that help make us stand out and be a little different, and that's beyond a good thing. Please click here to read some of Dick's poems, and check back soon to read the latest one he read last night.

After Dick's poem George went on to introduce a writer we're all very familiar with here in the Bean, the Boston Globe's very own, Gordon Edes. Gordon went on to tell some hilarious stories about Tim that he knew from work on the job, and that were also relayed to him by co-worker Dan Shaughnessy. It was a pleasure to hear and see Edes speak, albeit briefly, because he's probably become my favorite local writer that we have in Boston. After Edes was done, it was finally time to hear and see the man of the hour, Tim Kurkjian.

Kurkjian hit the ground running and totally had control of the crowd from the moment that he took a hold of the microphone. Tim may be a small guy in person, however Tim may be one of the largest
& true fans of the game I've ever seen speak. His love, knowledge, and passion for the game is unbelievable, and it gives crazy baseball obsessed guys like me a little hope to think that we may not be alone in this thing. I can't convey enough how smart and genuine Kurkjian presented himself, and it made the feeling around the room infectious. With the stories and stats that were rattling off of his mouth like a machine gun Kurkjian was part-comedian, part-statistician, part-historian, and all fan.

The stories he told about baseball and the people who make up the game have me itching to start reading his book, however I have to finish the one I'm currently reading (Baseball Prospectus Baseball Between the Numbers) which I really, really like, but it just goes to show you what a great orator Tim is. I spoke briefly with him after the event and he was as humble and kind as you could expect and I hope someday down the line I'd be in another position to have a conversation (baseball related hopefully!) with him.

Again, I can't say enough about these events that George Mitrovich puts on, and if you haven't attended one yet, and you love the game, I suggest you check it out. The next event, which I'll hopefully be attending, is on January 31st to celebrate and recognize the life of Jackie Robinson. It's rumored that Bill Russell will be at this event, so mark your calenders, should be another great night for the Fenway Park Writers Series, it always seems to be.

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I took a few more photos of the event, and also have a sneak peak for you all to look at the changes being done already to Fenway Park. The field and mound is all chewed up and all the bleacher seats are gone now, which is beyond a bizarre thing to look at.

Click here to view more photos of the Event & Fenway Park

Comments

[alvan levenson]

Look up Bill Nowlin. He's written some great material on the Sox of the early days. The days dear to the hearts of old timers like me. Thanks, a.l.

[Derek Hixon]

Thanks a lot Alvan, I'll definitly be looking him up for ya'.

Cheers.

[Troy]

WOW. What a Great Picture..

[Derek Hixon]

Indeed Troy, indeed.