Photo: Kyle Bray/WBZ NewsRadio
CINCINNATI, O.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A classic opening day tradition ended up mired in chaos and arrests on Thursday after the Boston Red Sox beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0.
Opening Day is considered a holiday in Ohio, home of the first professional baseball team. The city celebrates every year with a massive opening day parade, a tradition that dates back to the 1890s. Some Sox fans say they couldn't miss the chance to celebrate in the "Queen City."
"There's probably no other city that does it quite like this. I mean, I know Cincinnati has been known for having like the opening day, and it's living up to it," one fan said.
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While some described the beginning of the day as electric with high vibes, the day ended with an unruly crowd, multiple fights and several arrests in the area around the ballpark after the game ended. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval called the incidents "an outrage," in a statement explaining that "This is exactly what causes fear and concern among our guests who come to support our urban core."
While the day may have ended with violence, Sox fans overall felt welcomed in Cincinnati.
"If this was New York, I'd probably be getting spit on, but so far, so good."
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kyle Bray (@KyleBrayWBZ) reports.