I continued researching the South-East section in the morning before leaving to join the other Rappaport Fellows at 1:30pm. Today was one of the best Rappaport programming events we have done. Taking the green line from Park street to Kenmore, I met the other Rappaport fellows at Fenway park for what would be a tour of the historic stadium with the Red Sox General Counsel, Mr. Dave Friedman. Sporting a Red Sox emblem emblazed polo, Mr. Friedman was a smart and cool tour guide who wove the history of Fenway park and its relationship to Boston with his greater talk on the interaction between the public and private sector in regards to the law.
Mr. Friedman had started in state and local government before becoming the General Counsel to the Red Sox. During his talk, as we sat in the stadium watching the grounds crew prepare for the night’s game against Toronto, Mr. Friedman explained how the a privately run business like the Red Sox and Major League Baseball interact with state and local government. From bringing in significant revenue to the city’s hotels and restaurants with both Red Sox games and concerts, to hosting events to support wounded warriors, Fenway park and the Red Sox and deeply ingrained in the history and psyche of Boston. Mr. Friedman explained some of the more unique disputes and transactions he had been a part during his time as General Counsel and also explained how his background in state and local government had been helpful in allowing him to better understand his dealings with the city.
Overall, it was a spectacular tour and one of the best Rappaport programing events. It was great to see the overlap between the public and private sector. No matter what career as a lawyer or public policy maker any of the Rappaport fellows ultimately choose, it was great to see that one can still serve his or her community even if he or she is in the private sector.