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Neil Diamond...

Email|Link|Comments (20) Posted by Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff April 8, 2008 05:26 PM

...just sang Sweet Caroline.

Well, sort of. He did sing the song, just not live. He was broadcast over the scoreboard in center field during the eighth inning. And, for those who couldn't see it, that was ownership member Tom Werner waving his arms along to the song in the pre-recorded video.

Apparently Diamond did this to promote a concert that he's playing Aug. 23 in Fenway Park. The details were just announced.

Also, Jacoby Ellsbury is now in left, and Hideki Okajima is in to relieve Manny Delcarmen.

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20 comments so far...

For those of us watching the game on NESN, I gotta tell you, it was one confusing performance. A lot of what they were doing at the Park has not been translating well to TV.

Posted by kshady April 8, 08 05:34 PM

OK... well this is a bit awkward (especially for the announcers)... they mentioned the concert and noted that the Sox are on the road!!

If Diamond is coming to Boston for a concert, and will indeed be playing at Fenway... could they at LEAST have the show sometime that's NOT in the middle of a road trip so he can sing for the Red Sox fans!!>?>!

Posted by Eli April 8, 08 05:38 PM

It's a concert, just like Hootie, or Buffett- they are playing Fenway, not playing for the Sox. Therefore, the Sox can't be in town,

Neil Diamond SHOULD at least play the song live for the Sox and the fans for one game either prior to or after his concert, or if that doesn't fit his schedule, then come back sometime!

Posted by Betsy Rafferty April 8, 08 10:05 PM

Eli,

Hard to have a ballgame while Neil's stage is set up across centerfield. I guesss the could erect a temporary net and play with a short porch like the exhibition in LA Colesium.

Posted by AM April 8, 08 10:36 PM

I was at the game... just to say the video was wicked cheesy and tom werner looked like a complete idiot. this better not become a tradition, it was better when the song just played on the loudspeakers.

Posted by Frank April 8, 08 11:12 PM

this was definitely the low-light of the game. I was there, and I'm a fan of the sweet caroline "8th inning stretch" but only because it always seems fun and kind of off the cuff... But today it seemed so forced and deliberate. I hope they never play this video again. Amelie, if you have any pull..... pass this along.

Posted by feez April 9, 08 12:16 AM

How does he play a concert at Fenway if they are not on a road trip????????? These stages don't appear out of thin air!!!!

Posted by William Endicott April 9, 08 12:55 AM

Hey Eli -

The logistics of trying to set up a concert at Fenway during a homestand are way too over the top. Never gonna happen, sorry.

Posted by Tilly April 9, 08 07:09 AM

Don't you think the stage might get in the way of the game???? Those things don't get put together overnight, you know.

Posted by mb April 9, 08 08:41 AM

Does Neil have Alzheimer's? he sounded terrible and the video looked like second rate. The stadium version would have been better.

Posted by John Schlesinger April 9, 08 08:58 AM

Eli, how exactly would you propose they do a concert while the Red Sox are NOT on the road? the amount of work involved in prepping the field for a stage, etc. and fixing it back to playing condition is not something they can do on one off day.

Posted by jed April 9, 08 09:31 AM

This news is "SO GOOD, SO GOOD, SO GOOD!!!!" I can't wait until August!!!!! This will be the best Fenway concert ever!!!! The best part is that my life partner's birthday is August 24th...If all the stars align, we'll be groovin' and shakin' to "Sweet Caroline" on Brad's birthday, live at Fenway Park!!! "SO GOOD, SO GOOD, SO GOOD!!!"

Rock On Red Sox Nation!!!!

Posted by LJ Sandwich April 9, 08 09:45 AM

I SAW NEIL DIAMOND AT THE FLEET CENTER A FEW YEARS AGO, THE ACOUSTICS WERE TERRIBLE ALL I HEARD WAS A MUMBLE FOR 2 HOURS. I HOPE FENWAY WILL BE BETTER.

Posted by JACK April 9, 08 09:47 AM

How about the couple who were at the game and had Fenway booked for their wedding on the 23rd of August and found out that it was cancelled when they saw Neil Diamond during the eighth inning and announced he would be playing Fenway on that date.......

Posted by Leslie April 9, 08 10:46 AM

It would be a bit tough for then to have a concert at Fenway when the Sox were home......

This however is the lamest concert scheduled for Fenway. They'll be lucky if they sell 2000 tickets....

Posted by Stan Anderlander April 9, 08 11:07 AM

I'm bummed.... I was at the game and after the sad performance and announcement every just looked at each other and laughed. We all thought it was until we checked our calendars and realized the sox were away. Red Sox management was extremely fooled on this one, if they thought this was going to be a sell out. I don't even think the scalpers will be dumb enough to get involved in this one.

Theo should have spoke up and got Pearl Jam in there!

Posted by Alex K. April 9, 08 03:59 PM

I would love to be at Fenway for Neil's concert; he is one of my favorites, and I have a Red Sox logo on my cell phone and the ring tone is "Sweet Caroline", so even though I will not be at the concert, I will be at Fenway in August for two games--can't wait! GO SOX!!

Posted by Sylvia Seidenglanz April 9, 08 04:01 PM

sweet Caroline is a big part of the red sox lore over the past several years, and I like it.

Posted by Bruce April 9, 08 04:25 PM

Hey John Schlesinger - way to post an incredibly insensitive comment.

Posted by kim April 10, 08 08:04 AM

Fenway you need to get your priorities straight!!! Why would you schedule a wedding for some couple and bail out on them for Neil Diamond??? The guy barely has enough energy to give an interview never mind sing a concert!!! BAD CHOICE!!

Posted by Lee Ho April 10, 08 11:09 AM