Even though fans aren’t allowed to watch games inside Fenway Park this summer, nothing was going to stop Ryan Hart from watching his little brother’s major-league debut in person.
Hart, the older brother of Red Sox rookie Kyle Hart, flew from Memphis to Boston on Wednesday ahead of Kyle’s debut against the Rays on Thursday afternoon. When the lefty delivered his first pitch against the Rays at 4:30 p.m., his brother had the best view possible — through the gate looking out onto the field at The Bleacher Bar in center field.
Accompanied by his girlfriend, Kim, and Kyle’s agent, Nello Gamberdino, Hart watched as his brother completed his unlikely journey to the majors. Though it was difficult to track pitches through the chain links of a garage door, Hart had the distinct honor of being one of just a handful of fans to see his Kyle’s first big-league pitches in person.
“I knew we’d find a way to be here,” Hart said. “It’s certainly not how I imagined by brother’s major-league debut but I couldn’t see myself missing this opportunity. I’d regret it forever.”
After sending righty Ryan Weber to the club’s alternate training site over the weekend, the Red Sox decided to give a start to Kyle Hart, a former 19th-round pick from Indiana who had dominated during intrasquad games at Pawtucket this summer. Once the Sox informed the lefty of his promotion, his brother began making last-minute travel arrangements to come to town.
Even though he knew he wouldn’t be allowed inside Fenway Park and likely wouldn’t get to speak with Kyle due to COVID-19 protocols, Hart wanted to be in Boston for his brother’s special moment. Knowing that he had a free place to stay (Kim’s mother and stepfather live in Massachusetts) and some vacation days banked from his job at International Paper in Memphis, Hart booked his flights and began trying to figure out the best spot to watch the game.
Hart had been to Boston twice before and had attended two games inside Fenway before Thursday. Those visits included trips to The Bleacher Bar, where Hart knew he’d be able to see the field.
Hart called the bar on Wednesday, asking if his party could reserve one of two tables with a clear view of the field for his brother’s start. The bar staff said they would accommodate him, and the group was in their seats 90 minutes before first pitch so they could watch Kyle warm up in the outfield.
“It’s not bad,” Hart said with a beer in hand. “It would be great if they’d be able to raise the garage door but understandable with COVID restrictions and protocols.”
As Kyle navigated through a long first inning against the Rays, Ryan watched intently, glancing back and forth between the field and NESN feed on a nearby TV. He celebrated Hart’s first two big-league strikeouts and lamented an error that let Tampa Bay take an early 1-0 lead.
With his arm around Kim, Hart was living and dying by every pitch his little brother threw.
“I’m probably more nervous than he is,” Hart said. “For me, I’m overcome with excitement, joy and emotion. We’re very proud of him and not just for this accomplishment, but for the man he is and the character he has. It has honestly gotten him here and earned this for him.”
Kyle’s outing didn’t exactly go as planned, as the Rays tagged the rookie for seven runs (five earned) in 2+ innings and eventually won, 17-8. But for a player who had undergone Tommy John surgery in college and signed for a low, $5,000 bonus, the opportunity to pitch in the big leagues represented a major milestone.
“All the people reaching out, I felt so much support,” the lefty said after the game. “I was really proud to go out and pitch and know that I had that many people watching me. People that probably hadn’t seen me pitch in a long time, just because it’s hard to follow in the minor leagues. That part made me really happy.”
Earlier this week, Kyle Hart said Ryan — who is eight years older — was the most excited and anxious person in his circle, noting that their parents were surprisingly measured when he broke the news of his promotion. For Kyle, it was no surprise that Ryan was willing to drop everything and come to Boston for the game.
The brothers weren’t able to talk in person after the game, but Ryan and Kim did get a chance to wave to Kyle as he got on the team bus for the Sox’ trip to New York and talked to him on the phone. Kyle appreciated that his brother put his life on hold to see him pitch.
“That’s the kind of guy he is, to jump on a plane and go have some beers while I make my debut,” Kyle said earlier this week on MassLive’s The Fenway Rundown podcast. “I wouldn’t trade him for the world. He’s a gem.”
After his start, Kyle called the outing an “unforgettable experience,’ even if the results weren’t what he had hoped. It’s safe to say his big brother felt the same way.
“We just wanted to be here,” Ryan Hart said. “Even if we can’t be in the ballpark, being as close as we can to the action was the next best thing.”
Read full article here: https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2020/08/kyle-harts-brother-watched-leftys-boston-red-sox-debut-through-bleacher-bar-fence-i-knew-wed-find-a-way-to-be-here.html