Another Day at the Ballpark

The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is arguably the greatest in sports.

The two baseball titans have waged their endless list of classic battles at, arguably, the most iconic sports arenas known to man – Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium.

On Wednesday, when the Eagles face Iowa in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, they will become the first football team to play games at both legendary ballparks in the same season since New York University did so back in 1948.

There is no argument that this is an honor not lost on the players, most of which grew up in the heart of this great duel.

"It's crazy to think that you can play at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium in the same season," junior tackle Chris Lindstrom, a native of Dudley, Mass. said. "You always grew up watching those games. The chance to play football at those places is just crazy."

"It's awesome," graduate captain Charlie Callinan, the Westfield, New Jersey native, added. "We've got two of the most historic ballparks in the world. We were in the Fenway Park locker room and I was just kind of sitting there for a second, like how many greats have come through here, sat in this locker room and gotten ready to play. Even though it's not even football, it's sports legends. It's just awesome. It's a little piece of history that I'll never forget."

Boston College earned the right to enjoy this historic honor by going 5-1 over their final six games, including a 39-16 victory over UConn at Fenway Park back in November which secured them their second straight bowl bid.

Wednesday's clash versus the Hawkeyes comes exactly three years from their last visit to the Bronx, when the Eagles lost a thrilling 31-30 overtime battle versus Penn State in the fifth annual Pinstripe Bowl back in 2014.

For the 24 players on the roster from New York and New Jersey, the trip provides them a chance to play close to home in front of family and friends.

"Yeah, it's a dream come true," Callinan said. "Where else would I rather play, other than a National Championship? I get to play in my backyard. I grew up going to Yankee games. New York City is the best place in the world to be during Christmastime. Everyone knows that. Like I said, it's a dream come true."

For others it provides a chance at redemption.

"I went there my freshman year," said senior defensive tackle Noa Merritt, who hails from Sparta, New Jersey. "We didn't get the outcome we would have liked, but this year we definitely plan on making things change, being a part of that is a great experience."

And even those who were somehow not consumed in the hype of baseball's most bitter battle understand the magnitude of what they will be accomplishing once the 5:15 p.m. kickoff goes down at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.

"I'm not really a Red Sox fan or a Yankees fan. I'm not really into baseball. I haven't been to one baseball game in my life," noted senior wide receiver and Worcester native Isaac Yiadom. "But, at the same time I played in Yankee Stadium one time my freshman year. It's a great place to play. Anytime we play at Fenway or Yankee Stadium, the feeling of being on a baseball field is different. It's a great feeling. I'm definitely excited to play there, and it just makes everything way better."

Boston College Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Charlie Callinan

Chris Lindstrom

Noa Merritt

Isaac Yiadom

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