Boston Sports Then and Now

There is no better palce to watch baseball than at Fenway Park.

Imagine getting to enjoy a hot dog and beer at Fenway Park and being able to call it “research!” That is just the kind of hardship that Christopher Klein had to endure while writing his book, The Die-Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston.

Klein’s research was actually 25 years in the making as he moved to Boston as a sixth grader and quickly developed into a die-hard fan of Boston sports.

In looking for a Boston treasure to focus on as the sequel to his first book, Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands, Klein recognized that while much has been written about the great sports traditions in Boston, there was still a need for a comprehensive guide that not only shared some of the magical stories of Boston’s sports tradition, but that also gave fans insight into how to best enjoy a sporting event in the city and surrounding area.

Thus, The Die Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston was born.

“The book is really part history and part visitor’s guide,” Klein said. “It is often hard for sports fans to find an abundance of information in a typical guide book.

“We give you a leg up on what to expect and how to have a great day at the game and even save some time and money in the process.

“We wanted to showcase everything the city has to offer from $10 tickets to the biggest sports splurges,” Klein added.

Because Klein looks at all 25 sporting venues highlighted in the book from the perspective of the fan, this isn’t some stodgy sports writer’s idea of what encompasses Boston’s sports history, traditions and best experiences.

Instead, Klein is “every fan” and looks at each event from the perspective of how a regular fan can make the most of the experience.

While all the big-ticket teams in town are certainly prominently featured, the book also looks at teams and places that are somewhat off the beaten path.

One of Klein’s favorite venues is Matthews Arena, which is also the old Boston Arena and the original home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.

Matthews Arena is the oldest multi-purpose facility in use in the country. It is the original home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins and now houses Northeastern University basketball and hockey.

The oldest multi-purpose athletic venue still in use in the country, Matthews Arena is now home to Northeastern University hockey and basketball.

“I love the arena because it is a throwback to what the old Boston Garden used to be like,” Klein said. “It has exposed pipes, an overhang on the second level.

“It is simply a great place to watch a game. There is an intimacy that you don’t have in modern arenas and an energy that isn’t always there at professional sporting events.”

Another favorite spot for Klein is Suffolk Downs, the oldest Thoroughbred racetrack in the state of Massachusetts.

Suffolk Downs was the first Thoroughbread racetrack in Massachusetts.

“They have free parking and often free admission,” Klein said. “It is about the only place where you can legally walk away with more money than you came with.”

In the book, Eddie Andelman, known as the Godfather of Sports Talk Radio in Boston, offers tips for wagering on horses.

Klein also focuses on the rich tradition of high school and college sports in the Boston area.

“Mainstream media and casual sports fans generally focus on the pro sports in Boston,” Klein said. “But, the area is also a big high school and college sports town. The pure sports competition at the high school and college levels take you back to what sports are all about.”

Klein, who has written on travel and sports for National Geographic, ESPN.com and the Boston Globe, said that he might consider duplicating the concept of a Die-Hard Sport’s Fans Guide for other cities, but added that it will be hard to replicate the passion that sports in Boston create.

“If you are looking for passionate sports fans, Boston is where you have to start. There are a lot of places with great fans, but there is no place and no sports fan quite like what you have in Boston.”

With the holidays approaching, The Die-Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston is the perfect gift for your favorite Boston sports fan. You can purchase the book through the Amazon.com link on this page.

You can also test your knowledge and enter to win a copy of the book!