The Tartan Army’s takeover of Fenway Park left such an impression on players that some described it as the most enjoyable game of their careers.
More than 5,000 Scotland supporters packed into the iconic Boston baseball park on Sunday (June 14) as the Boston Red Sox hosted the Texas Rangers in what the club described as “Scottish Heritage Celebration Night.”
While the Texas Rangers claimed a 6-4 victory on the field, much of the post-match conversation focused on the extraordinary atmosphere created by the travelling Tartan Army.
Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo admitted the experience was unlike anything he had encountered during a regular-season game. Speaking in a post-game interview, he said: “It was one of the coolest regular season games I’ve ever played. That was awesome.”
View 3 ImagesThe Tartan Army took over Fenway Park for Boston Red Sox clash with Texas Rangers(Image: Getty Images)
And the praise for the loveable Tartan Army did not stop there. Teammate Wyatt Langford revealed that players were talking about the atmosphere among themselves after the game, with many agreeing they had just taken part in one of the most memorable occasions of their careers.
“A lot of us said that was the most fun game we’ve ever played,” Langford said. “Myself included. I thought it was awesome.”
The Rangers star added that the noise and energy generated by the Scotland fans created an atmosphere more commonly associated with baseball’s biggest occasions.
“I’ve never played in the playoffs, but a lot of guys said it was a playoff-like atmosphere.”
Meanwhile Texan Rangers manger Skip Schumaker described the game as close to achieving his bucket list goal of going to watch a football match in Europe.
“My bucket list is to be at a European game one day with my kids and that was probably as close to it as you can get with that atmosphere,” he said.
“There were fans right next to us, that was their first baseball game. I think we have new baseball fans because of it and that’s what it’s all about. It was a pretty cool experience, and I’m obviously glad we won, because it makes it easier to talk about.”
View 3 ImagesThe baseball players hailed the game the ‘coolest’ regular season game they’d ever played(Image: MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Long before the first pitch, thousands of Scotland fans had gathered outside Fenway Park before marching to the stadium in a sea of tartan, Scotland flags and singing chats – clearly still on a high from Scotland’s win against Haiti.
Once inside, the Tartan Army quickly turned a normal baseball game into something memorable for both players and American baseball fans.
Scotland football chants echoed around the grounds, with local fans joining in and even adapting the famous No Scotland, No Party chant into No Red Sox, No Party.
The atmosphere was maintained throughout the game, with supporters singing during breaks in play and introducing American fans to tunes such as Gala’s Freed From Desire and The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond.
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While the Red Sox ended up losing, both teams on the field were clearly left feeling victorious after the Tartan Army transformed an ordinary regular-season fixture into a night that felt closer to playoff baseball.