BOSTON — Scotland supporters filled Fenway Park on Sunday night as the Boston Red Sox hosted a promoted “Scotland Day,” coming less than 24 hours after Scotland’s World Cup victory at Gillette Stadium. The visitors had watched Scotland defeat Haiti 1-0 on Saturday as the nation made its first World Cup appearance in 28 years.
The Tartan Army, Scotland’s supporters organization, led a march from Evans Way Park to the ballpark, accompanied by pipers who brought traditional bagpipe music to the Fenway neighborhood. A conservative estimate counted at least 5,000 participants, according to observers at the scene, and thousands more were visible inside the stadium.
Fenway scenes included free shirts that combined the Red Sox logo with the Scotland flag, Red Sox mascots outfitted in kilts and chants for “Super John McGinn.” “The Flower of Scotland” was played following the U.S. national anthem, and the refrain honoring McGinn — who scored Scotland’s winner against Haiti — was heard between innings.
The events followed late-night celebrations across Boston after the win at Gillette, when fans navigated packed trains and traffic to continue the festivities in area bars. Scotland’s next World Cup match is against Morocco on Friday at Gillette Stadium.
The Tartan Army presence at Fenway underscored the crossover of World Cup fervor into the baseball setting as visiting supporters continued their multi-day celebration in the Boston area.
