Sox fan enjoys Maine Day at Fenway

Arthur “Terra” Andrews might just be Maine’s biggest Red Sox fan.

“I was a Cleveland fan when I was 2 or 3 years old,” he joked, but ever since then …”

The 71-year-old Andrews has lost count of how many games he has seen at Fenway Park in Boston in the past 60 years.

When anyone criticizes his team, his response is always optimistic. “I tell them it’s early yet,” or, “There’s always next year,” he said.

That optimism carries through to the rest of his life.

Twenty-eight years ago, Andrews had a massive stroke, followed by two smaller ones and many other physical challenges. But instead of giving up, he became a tireless volunteer at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

“Art dedicated 20 years of volunteer service to the staff and patients of Eastern Maine Medical Center, providing exemplary assistance and boundless inspiration to countless individuals,” according to Gov. John Baldacci when he proclaimed Aug. 29, 2004, as Art Andrews Day.

But the proclamation was only one way Baldacci recognized Andrews’ contributions to the Bangor community. Knowing Andrews’ unwavering love and faith in the Red Sox, “the Governor thought it fitting to ask Art to accompany him on this year’s trip to Maine Day at Fenway,” said Joy Leach, Baldacci’s deputy director of communications.

Andrews said the proclamation and the day at Fenway on Aug. 28 “stunned” him. But he felt more honored to know “I was thought of enough to set that up for me.”

He added, “I’ve been shocked by a lot of good things in my life.”

In Boston, Andrews said, “They took me everywhere. They were very good to me.” In the morning, he and his wife parked in the players’ lot at Gate D and enjoyed watching the players arrive.

“David Ortiz came in, in his little black convertible with those spinning hubcaps,” said Lois Andrews, Art’s wife.

“It didn’t come up to my armrest,” added Art, patting his motorized wheelchair.

Andrews got a guest pass to go out on the field, into the dugout and into the clubhouse. They took him to the top of the Green Monster and he watched the game from the owners’ boxes with his family.

“What a view!” he said. “It was the nicest day of my life,” he added. “I just love ’em to death. I like the players and the management, and I met them all.”

One of the biggest highlights of the day was meeting Johnny Pesky, the legendary Red Sox player and the namesake for Pesky’s Pole at Fenway. But his favorite souvenir is his guest pass.

Baldacci and Andrews go way back.

“We’ve been going to Baldacci’s restaurant for the last 27 years,” said Andrews.

When Andrews was volunteering at the hospital, Momma Baldacci’s used to send him over with the nurses’ favorite breadsticks.

Andrews even has an item on the menu named after him: “Art’s Favorite Western,” which is a tenderloin with spaghetti and green salad.

“I have it every Friday night,” he said, adding that he often sees the governor there, helping in the kitchen, wiping down tables or sweeping the floor. “We’re fortunate to have a friend like him, said Andrews.”

As a volunteer, Andrews worked in the cardiology department at EMMC, for Heart to Heart and telephoned smokers trying to convince them to quit.

“I think the highlight of his life, besides that one day at Fenway, was his years of volunteer service,” said Lois Andrews.

“I met a lot of nice people,” Andrews said.

He used to tell patients, “I’ll do anything in the world for you, but I can’t get you a Playboy magazine or a six-pack of beer.”