Lack of crowd after Red Sox loss surprises over-staffed TUPD

After witnessing the outpouring of students in response to the Red Sox's victory of the Athletics, police were prepared for anything to occur after game seven of the New York series. But student response to last Thursday's season-ending Red Sox loss to the New York Yankees proved to be relatively tame.

For game seven, the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) did not want to be short-staffed. "We wanted to be able to anticipate some activity either way. There was the thought that if they [the Red Sox] lose game seven, people are going to be frustrated and decide to become vocal and maybe vent their frustrations," TUPD Captain Mark Keith said.

"The other side of the coin was that if they win, people are going to be jubilant and come out, and again try to act out their excitement," he said.

Though extra officers were kept on as a precaution, nothing violent or dangerous transpired, according to Keith. TUPD was called to assist with two injuries following the game. "Two individuals had evidently put their fists through windows," Keith said.

Neighboring towns were quiet as well. "Somerville had extra staff on, I think because there are a lot of establishments like bars in Somerville. Nothing happened there - they actually called us to see if we were in any need of assistance, but it was quiet," Keith said.

Students on campus - Red Sox and Yankees fans alike - were aware of the overall lack of activity following the game. "I noticed a few extra police cars around during the game, but after it ended all I saw was about six Yankees fans hollering and wandering around the Res Quad," sophomore Christian Eager said.

Freshman Mickey Leibner, a Yankees fan, was disappointed by the lack of excitement following the New York win. "A bunch of us went outside to celebrate, and when someone said, 'Let's go to Bacow's house,' immediately a policeman said, 'No.'"

Red Sox fans were quiet across campus. "I heard Yankees fans outside, and I had no interest in leaving the room," sophomore Leigh Simons said.

Like other faithful Red Sox fans, the last thing Simons wanted to do was celebrate. "[Red Sox Manager] Grady Little had just torn my heart out and stomped on it," she said.

After the Oct. 6 Red Sox win over the Athletics to take the American League Division Series, hundreds of students gathered first on the residential quad, and then moved to Packard Avenue in front of Gifford House. Although there was no violent activity, the large number of students caught TUPD off guard, and officers said assistance from the Medford and Somerville Police Departments was necessary.