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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Donald Erskine

I went to see the Red Sox with the Tartan Army - it proved baseball isn't boring

'I'd say I'm firmly of the belief that baseball isn't boring now, but then again, any stadium filled with Scottish fans isn't' (Image: Andrew Milligan)

A rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland finishes in Fenway Park, and a cheer erupts as a Red Sox player makes it to first base in a game that was looking like it was getting away from them.

Boston's baseball team hasn't been having the best time of it lately, but for the past week, their home games have been subject to a Tartan Army takeover, which has given the ground a "much-needed boost", according to locals.

Read More: Inside Boston chaos for Scotland's FIFA World Cup opener v Haiti

Scotland fans at Fenway Park in Boston ahead of the FIFA World Cup Group C match between Scotland and Morocco on Friday. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
Scotland fans at Fenway Park in Boston ahead of the FIFA World Cup Group C match between Scotland and Morocco on Friday. (Image: Andrew Milligan)

Every Bostonian I've spoken with about the city's representation in Major League Baseball (MLB) has been less than complimentary of the Red Sox's current form.

"We suck right now, in the past we've been competing for the top spot, but there just doesn't seem to be the same spending on players and focus on bringing home the glory these days," my Uber driver, Micah, tells me on the way home from the Tartan Army march to Fenway Park.

He was especially critical of the team's owners, Fenway Sports Group, who also own English Premier League side Liverpool.

In his opinion, more emphasis has been placed on the football side across the pond, leaving the Red Sox undernourished.

Thousands of Scotland fans descended on Fenway Park for the Red Sox's clash with the Texas Rangers last week, and despite the home side losing 6-4 in that game, right fielder Brandon Nimmo said it was "one of the coolest regular season games I've ever played."

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Red Sox historian Jerry Thornton also begged the Tartan Army not to leave Boston and hailed the atmosphere as the best Fenway Park has seen for decades.

I had high hopes then for my turn to experience a ball game at the oldest baseball stadium in the United States, but perhaps more for the energy than the on-field action.

There is absolutely no denying that Fenway Park has a special aura emanating from its green steel beams and red brick structure. The MLB describes going to a game there as being as much about "stepping into a century of baseball folklore as watching nine innings".

The Red Sox have played at Fenway since 1912, and in that time, the side has gone from early-century powerhouse to decades of frustration and, in the 21st century, a resurgent serial champion with multiple World Series titles.

Those victories are hung in banners on the main stand behind the home plate - the most recent being their 2018 World Series win.

Scotland fans at Fenway Park in Boston ahead of the FIFA World Cup Group C match between Scotland and Morocco on Friday. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
The Tartan Army have taken over Fenway Park this week (Image: Andrew Milligan)

Before you even enter the park, the streets outside are awash with kilts, songs and merriment - it's worthwhile noting at this point that this is just after midday on a Thursday in June.

The smell of hot dogs and beer won't leave your nostrils for the remainder of the afternoon, as merchandise stalls are crammed with those looking to bag a hat or, if they're feeling flush, an over $200 baseball jersey - that made a £75 Scotland top feel a bit better value.

I met with Rob Bradford from the podcast Baseball Isn't Boring before entering the ground, and he said it had brought the Red Sox fans "immense joy" having the stands full of the Tartan Army.

Then, it was time to put Rob's podcast's name to the test and find out if Baseball is, in fact, boring as the Red Sox took on the Toronto Blue Jays.

As is now customary everywhere in the city, while Scotland has been in town, the chorus of "No Scotland, No Party" and Super John McGinn were echoing through the historic stadium before we'd even made it to our seats.

A hot dog from a vendor, balancing the container full of them on his head, and an ice-cold refreshment in hand, it was hard not to fall instantly in love with the experience of simply going to the ball game.

While the game itself took well into the sixth inning to properly come alive, the stands were full of songs from the outset.

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One of the best parts of the Fenway experience was the freedom to move around the stands. I went from sitting at ground level to watching an inning from the very back row to fully take in the spectacle from every possible angle.

Settling in among the Tartan Army fans who had taken over an entire stand in the stadium for the game, it proved to me the beauty of sport and why it brings out the best in people.

Locals were joining in with every song as best as they could - some even trying to start the No Scotland, No Party chants. By the time the Red Sox were 3-0 down, we were all just there to enjoy the off-the-field action more than anything.

But, after a rousing chorus of Flower of Scotland, a Red Sox player made it on to first base, and then the home side went on to score two back-to-back home runs.

Ultimately, it wasn't to be the Boston side's day as they fell 4-3 to the Blue Jays, but there was no denying that everyone in the stands got bang for their buck.

Stadium officials had to try to usher out fans who stuck around for another few renditions of every song that's seen the Tartan Army go viral at the World Cup.

The Scottish fans really are the epitome of having fun no matter the result. We're quite well-practised at that, it's fair to say. And while Shipping Up to Boston was one of the highlights of my Fenway Park experience, the Tartan Army's takeover will live long in the memory of the Red Sox.

I'd say I'm firmly of the belief that baseball isn't boring now, but then again, any stadium filled with Scottish fans isn't.

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