Inside a/the trade deadline with Thad Levine
Eighteen years ago, Dustin Pedroia sat in the Red Sox dugout hours before one of his games in what was the second baseman's rookie season. Next to him sat the team's utility infielder Alex Cora.
"Is it like this everywhere?" Pedroia asked his then-teammate.
"Nope," Cora matter-of-factly answered, staring straight ahead.
The impetus for the question was what Pedroia and the 2007 Red Sox were experiencing - a drive toward the postseason surrounded by Fenway Park crowds that would routinely try to exert their will on their players and the opposition.
Monday afternoon, just before batting practice, Romy Gonzalez resided in almost the identical spot where the Pedroia/Cora conversation took place. It was time for this current infielder to reflect.
"Hand's down," Gonzalez said when asked if this was the most fun he has had playing baseball. "Being able to play at Fenway Park is special. Obviously, I got a taste of it last year, but this year is different buzz, a different energy in the ballpark right now. Yeah, this is by far the most fun I have had."
By the time Gonzalez walked out of Fenway Monday night, there had been nothing to diminish that feeling. It was the same feeling Pedroia had been introduced to, and was now returning for this group of Red Sox.
This time, the energy was born from the Sox's winning their 13th home game in their last 14 tries, claiming an 8-5 win over the Royals. And if there was any room for interpretation for how this team continues to be walking on air heading through the final couple of months of the regular season, the vibes were defined thanks to a five-run first inning and yet another outstanding outing from starter Brayan Bello (6 IP, 0 ER).
Alex Cora's club is now a MLB-best 23-8 in its last 31 games, and is 12 games over .500 for the first time since Fenway truly didn't have to lean on bobblehead nights for consistent enthusiasm, the end of the 2021 season.
And, to top off the euphoria, was news that the Yankees were falling 2 1/2 games in back of the Red Sox thanks to another late-inning collapse, this time coming in Texas against the Rangers.
And if the quotes emanating from the clubhouse aren't proof enough that the postseason fragrance has overtaken "Fenway Experience," just look at the reality of this version of the early-August Red Sox.
On Aug. 5, 2021, the Red Sox (according to FanGraphs) had a 79.6 percent chance of making the playoffs. Now? It's at 78.3 percent.
And then there are the reasons for the belief. They might not have Joe Ryan, but they do have the combination of players who are securing the benefit of the doubt (Gonzalez, Bello) and those who have already proven their status in the game (Alex Bregman, Garrett Crochet).
Want more proof? The cheapest seat someone can get for Tuesday night's game sits at $93 in the secondary market. Considering it wasn't that long ago we were rolling our eyes about those $1 Yankees tickets, it's an evolution that is becoming more and more of a late-summer reality.
It might turn. The memories of sub-.500 Augusts for the past three seasons are still lingering, as is the looming behemoth that is the Patriots season. But for now, the Red Sox have reintroduced themselves to actually interested baseball fans ... and visa versa.