BOSTON — A seat at Fenway Park is a tough ticket, but “The Office” star John Krasinski and Red Sox legend David Ortiz had some good news for professionals at a Boston COVID-19 unit -- four tickets for life.
Baseball may be on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Boston native Krasinski and “Big Papi” told the health professionals from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center that the Red Sox organization had gifted four tickets for games at major league baseball’s oldest park, ESPN reported.
Krasinski, during a segment of his YouTube show “Some Good News,” spoke with members of the hospital’s COVID-19 unit.
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“I cannot articulate how unbelievably honored I am to be seeing you guys, to be hearing you guys, inside your hospital, inside where all this is going on,” Krasinski told the workers. “And to see you guys actually cheerful and joyful is a near impossibility and brings tears to my eyes.”
During his interview, Krasinski asked if the workers were Red Sox fans, and they responded enthusiastically.
“I know we’re all missing baseball season, but that doesn’t mean I can’t bring baseball to you,” Krasinski said before introducing Ortiz via video conference call.
“Hey, I’ve gotta tell you guys from the very bottom of my heart how much I love you and respect you guys for what you are doing,” Ortiz told the hospital staffers. “Taking your life, taking your time, that’s something that goes beyond everything.”
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Ortiz asked Krasinski how long he had been waiting for tickets.
“I thought I was a big deal, but I’ve been waiting on the wait list for 16 years and have still heard nothing,” Krasinski said. “I may be able to get Big Papi, but I don’t get the Big Papi treatment, that’s for sure.”
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Krasinski then invited the group outside to “the most sanitized duck boat in America,” which transported them to Fenway Park, CNN reported. At the ballpark, the workers were treated to videos of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and the entire Red Sox squad all applauding from their homes.
The video ended with the phrase “Thank you, healthcare workers.”
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The workers then threw out the first ceremonial pitch of the season and then ran the bases. The iconic Fenway Park scoreboard at the base of the Green Monster read “Safe at Home.”
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All that was missing was a chorus of “Sweet Caroline.”
But Krasinski asked the workers to sign a baseball so he could put it on his shelf.
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“You are so our heroes, and you’re the most lovable, wonderful people,” Krasinski said. “Thank you so much.”
