Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2025 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New Book Profiles 50 Die-Hard Red Sox Fans

It’s no secret that Vermont is a proud member of the Red Sox Nation. Greg Pearson’s book Fenway Fanatic: 50 Boston Red Sox Fans Tell Their Stories highlights a few Vermonters among the die-hard Red Sox fans he profiled. Pearson says he attempted to include a diverse group.

“This is by no means supposed to be the 50 craziest or most devoted Red Sox fans. Many of them would qualify, but some of them were kind of new fans, some of them were really young,” says Pearson.

"She was one of those fans that didn't miss a game," says Pearson.

The fans ranged in age from 12 to 92 and lived all over the world. Pearson interviewed fans from Uzbekistan, Alaska, and of course all across New England.

One of Person’s favorites was Jean DeRoche, a woman who died in 2010 at the age of 85. Pearson stumbled across DeRoche’s obituary:

“It started: ‘wicked big red sox fan.’ She’d been to 56 consecutive opening days 1950 to 2005, the last one seeing the World Championship banner being raised at Fenway after 86 years,” said Pearson.

He immediately contacted her son and daughter.

“And the two of them just had these terrific stories to tell about their mom. I mean, she was one of these fans that didn’t miss a game,” says Pearson.

In fact, DeRoche’s obituary instructed mourners to wear Red Sox apparel to her wake.

“There were Red Sox floral displays. The funeral home just said it was a wonderful celebration of her life,” says Pearson.

There were also several Vermonters featured in the book, including Pat O’Connor of Essex. O’Connor built a “Little Fenway” field in his backyard.

“I knew there was a guy who had built a Fenway Park in his yard and I figured, he’s just a natural for the book,” says Pearson.

O’Connor has built a detailed replica of the Red Sox field, complete with a little Green Monster. O’Connor even attempted to match the dirt to a type that’s similar to the type found at Fenway.

When asked what makes Red Sox fans superior to Yankee fans, Pearson has a quick answer.

“I guess because we’ve suffered,” Pearson laughs.

Pearson will be reading from his book at Muddy Waters in Burlington on Wednesday, July 31.

A graduate of NYU with a Master's Degree in journalism, Mitch has more than 20 years experience in radio news. He got his start as news director at NYU's college station, and moved on to a news director (and part-time DJ position) for commercial radio station WMVY on Martha's Vineyard. But public radio was where Mitch wanted to be and he eventually moved on to Boston where he worked for six years in a number of different capacities at member station WBUR...as a Senior Producer, Editor, and fill-in co-host of the nationally distributed Here and Now. Mitch has been a guest host of the national NPR sports program "Only A Game". He's also worked as an editor and producer for international news coverage with Monitor Radio in Boston.

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message.

Loading...


Latest Stories