Red Sox Go On Historical Tour Of Boston
BOSTON (CBS) - With temperatures in the single digits and wind chills well below zero in Boston on Wednesday, it's hard to believe baseball was on people's minds.
But it was, with a caravan of Red Sox players making their way through the famous city.
Red Sox players Jonny Gomes, David Ross, Ryan Kalish, and Daniel Nava got a tour of Boston on Thursday, by way of truck, trolley and train. They visited famous sites like Bunker Hill, Copley and Kenmore Square, and even went aquatic with a visit on the U.S.S. Constitution.
At each stop, players took time to sign autographs, take pictures, and chat with fans for a few moments.
The group started their chilly morning in Copley Square Plaza, warming fans up by serving hot chocolate and donuts before jumping on an Old Town Trolley to Charlestown to visit the Bunker Hill Monument and the U.S.S. Constitution. They then re-boarded the trolley and made their way to the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall, where they boarded the Green Line to Kenmore Square -- where the afternoon concluded.
For newly-signed outfielder Jonny Gomes, it was his first visit to Boston since signing a two-year deal with the team in December. A history buff, Gomes enjoyed every minute despite the frigid temps.
"I'm a fan of history, pretty much all over America," said Gomes. "There is a ton of history here with the Patriots and Navy Ships. To get a first-hand tour it was pretty cool."
"It's unbelievable. I'm getting a whole history lesson today, and I'm not even a big history buff," said Ross. "Seeing all that stuff is really cool, and getting familiar with the city is a lot of fun."
"The city -- you've heard about the history, but to experience the history is another thing," added Nava.
While the city was their focus on Thursday, all players are looking ahead to 18 days from now, when Red Sox pitchers and catchers will first report to Spring Training.
With a dismal 2012 season behind them, this crop of players is excited for the future.
"I think everyone is excited and looking forward to (turning the page)," said Nava, who saw playing time in 2012 due to a slew of injuries in the Boston outfield. "Unfortunately last year was last year. Everyone is looking to turn the page and start this year off right, give the city of Boston what it wants."
"I think It's pretty well documented what happened, and that's not good for the game," said Gomes, who saw the season from afar while in Oakland. "The Red Sox need to be competing; they need to be a positive. It was a tough year for everybody, but it was a tough year for the game as well; they need the Red Sox to shine."
While Gomes is a newcomer, he understands what it means to put on a Red Sox jersey.
"Wearing a Red Sox uniform comes with a lot of accountability," he said. "It comes with accountability of the alum that wore it before. It comes with accountability with the fans you play for every day. It's not just putting that uniform on and running out there."
