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Chicago Dogs owner Joe Palmieri said it was an easy choice to open early to let people catch opening day live from Japan. “I’m going to be up at that hour anyway,” he said. “I might as well have everyone up with me.”

Staff photo by Kate Power

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Scarborough’s John Cleaves helps dish out the food to early-rising Red Sox fans who flocked to Chicago Dogs in Scarborough Tuesday morning to catch the team’s first game from Japan.

Staff photo by Kate Power

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Portland’s Pat Talbot takes a break from cheering for the Sox to chow down at Chicago Dogs in Scarborough on Tuesday morning.

Staff photo by Kate Power

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Josh Miller made the long trek to Scarborough from Brunswick for two reasons: to catch the Red Sox’ opener and also because he is a fan of Chicago Dogs’ owner Joe Palmieri’s work on WJAB’s “Shoe and Joe” morning radio show.

Staff photo by Kate Power

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The Red Sox’ Japenese influence was evident at Chicago Dogs on Tuesday morning, as Red Sox fans braved the early morning hours to watch the team’s opener at Chicago Dogs in Scarborough.

Staff photo by Kate Power

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Chicago Dogs owner Joe Palmieri, who is a part of the “Shoe and Joe” morning show on WJAB, talks with a customer Tuesday morning. Palmieri opened the restaurant at 5:30 a.m. to allow fans to catch the Red Sox’ opener live from Japan.

Staff photo by Kate Power