Red Sox, community knock it out of the park to honor 106-year-old fan from Cheshire

Posted Sunday, July 15, 2018 8:21 pm

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CHESHIRE — Juliette Campbell is more than just a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan; she is Red Sox history.

At 106 — that's the same age as Fenway Park — Campbell has seen in person or on television Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice, David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia (one of her favorites) roam the comfy confines of the historic baseball cathedral.

From her home along Cheshire Lake, she follows the team religiously, watching all the televised Sox games, even the West ones that end around 1 a.m.

Campbell can now say she "stood" on the same field as a century plus of Sox legends.

The Cheshire woman was escorted Saturday via wheelchair by family and Red Sox officials for a brief pregame ceremony near the pitcher's mound. One of the oldest living Fenway Faithful got to handle a game ball and have her picture taken with team mascot Wally the Green Monster, the left-field scoreboard as a backdrop.

"It was a great day. I just enjoyed every minute," Campbell said Sunday, during an Eagle interview at her home.

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The New Bedford native who has called the Berkshires home for 90 years was accompanied on the field by her grandson, Craig Campbell, friend Rosanne Frieri of Richmond and niece Marcia Madison.

"Oh, my god, I couldn't believe it. We were shaking," Madison said.

Campbell and her entourage have Frieri, several Pittsfield businessmen and the Red Sox front office to thank for a trip to the field of their dreams.

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Frieri, herself a Red Sox fan, met Campbell a couple of months ago and felt compelled to get the her back to Fenway for the first time in several decades.

"I know the Red Sox like to honor and host folks, like veterans and children. I thought it would be a great honor for the Red Sox to meet her and show her a day that she would never forget," Frieri said.

Frieri got hold of Pittsfield clothier Steven Valenti, hoping he had some contacts with the American League club. Valenti and his son, Evan, emailed the Red Sox, telling them about Campbell and her connection to Fenway Park. For her 100th birthday, Campbell was honored with a brick on Yawkey Way, just outside the ballpark.

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Moved by the story, team officials offered the July 14 day game between Boston and the Toronto Blue Jays as the best time to honor Campbell's longevity as a member of Red Sox Nation. Boston comped the four tickets, and Rob Dwyer of Dwyer Funeral Home of Pittsfield provided the limousine so the foursome could ride in style.

"I think it was a remarkable celebration, and I was honored to be part of it," Valenti said.

Campbell's experience of a lifetime was capped by an exciting, come-from-behind, walk-off win. Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Boston rallied to tie the score. An inning later, the Red Sox loaded the bases with one out. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts belted a grand slam to center field to win the game.

The much-needed dramatic victory came less than 24 hours after Toronto thumped Boston 13-7 to snap the Red Sox's 10-game winning streak.

"Thank god," Campbell said of the winning homer. "I couldn't stand losing two games in a row."

Dick Lindsay can be reached at rlindsay@berkshireeagle.com and 413-496-6233.