| Feature News |
A Hero’s Welcome
Garciaparra Arrives in Rakeville
By Aviator McShadeless / Rakeville Times
For the first time in a decade, Julian Avenue was closed down. Back in 1995, a blizzard shutdown Rakeville’s central pass. This year, it was all thanks to one man.
A spontaneous, and very unofficial, parade broke out last week as the caravan taking Rockets new shortstop Nomar Garciaparra from the airport was met by thousands of fans, blocks outside of the new downtown stadium. As city officials scrambled to organize the mass of excited folks, team officials began the biggest press conference since the team joined the EHCC four years ago.
The hoopla spread as the fans eventually move into the nightlife district, hitting the bars and clubs for a midday celebration. Numbers doubled by the hour, as people got off work and heard the newest Rocket was in town. By 7:00 PM, the stadium was surrounded by a sprawling street party that rivaled Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
While some outside of the region might not understand the affair Rakeville fans have with Nomar, one reveler put it best when he said, “He is the man that makes men love other men. He is the power in a power plant full of batteries. He is everything my mother wanted in her son.”
The party continued well into the morning, as bars ignored their regular closing times after City Councilman Hardney Harrison declared all the drinks were on the city.
Surprisingly, police made no arrests, as many of them took part in the relatively peaceful celebration. The only violence occurred when boisterous resident began firing fireworks across the river at Stackerville homes, shouting “You flamers ain’t got Nomar.” Stackerville officials wouldn’t comment on the situation.
Things settled down during the day, but picked up again later in the evening, as people came from all over the city to drink as close to the stadium as possible.
Forced to reduce the enormous flow into the heart of the city, the team announced on the third night that they would open Claffey Coliseum and invited everyone to celebrate on the field. Beer was brought from all over to East Marks to satisfy the estimated 75,000 that showed up at the old ballpark. So many people showed up, that the ones turned away returned to downtown. A survey of bars found the total around 100,000.
“A true hero has come to Rakeville,” said Jack Reed, to a gathering of Vietnam Veterans a day later. “This is something to celebrate.”
Nomar, the source for all this happiness was only in Rakeville for three hours. After the press conference announcing his arrival, he was airlifted back to the airport and returned to Canada to continue packing. The party in his honor lasted for a week and a half.
“I played with Nomar once,” said Troy O’Leary, team manager. “He said he liked my shoes.”
Aviator McShadeless is a reporter for the Rakeville Times. When asked what his main goal in life is, he only responded with the word "Brothel."
