The Boston Red Sox ownership group held a coffee klatsch at Fenway the other night. Or, was it early morning? A koffee klatsch is a casual chance to sip coffee over conversation with friends.
In a rain-delayed extra inning horror story at friendly Fenway that ended at 2:45 in the morning with the Sox losing, fans went home later than the pickpockets and muggers.
The silver lining in the tarp on the infield was Red Sox owners, John Henry, Larry Lucchino and Tom Werner.
In a gesture right out of a Damon Runyon sports saga, the trio of owners got behind the counter and served up hot coffee to the die-hard fans that shivered during the chilly rain delay.
In all my years of cynically watching the Red Sox, this gesture struck me as the most good-natured, however calculating, that I have seen.
Why do I keep thinking Mr. Steinbrenner might have gone behind the counter, but gouging the fans for that extra cup? Oh, I am being unfair as usual.
Boston has not always had beloved sports owners in the city, though Tom Yawkey came about as close as possible.
Most sports owners are invisible carpetbaggers who sweep into town, rake in the money and sell for a big profit.
The New England Patriots found local owners who have been highly visible and fan friendly. The Celtics owners include one man, Steve Pagliuca, who ran for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, and the ever-present gentleman at games in the front row is the genial part-owner, Wyc Grousbeck.
Having the common touch is an uncommon virtue, especially when your income is far beyond those of the players who are usually overpaid.
The same Red Sox owners recently showed up in a local coffee chain commercial, hawking the official Red Sox caffeine brand for charity.
When your team’s owner seems like an Average Joe, the cup of joe becomes a brew to savor. These are smart businessmen, but their actions still have something endearing about it.
Let’s hope these nice owners don’t end up selling apples on Yawkey Way to pay for millionaire players who never hit home runs.
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