114 replies to this topic

[behindthepen]

So, as everyone knows we have a big birthday this year, and we are going to get overwhelmed with 100th Anniversary stuff starting in a few weeks.

It is a pretty amazing acheivement, for a stadium to last that long under any circumstances, so it's definitely worth celebrating and I thought it would be cool to share some of the interesting stories and facts about the lyric little bandbox.

So here's a few of the obvious ones:

• First official game was 4/20/1912 vs. the Highlanders, which was originally set for 4/18 but was rained out twice. http://miscbaseball....-april-20-1912/
• Earlier that week, the Titanic sunk.
• The first game at Fenway was an exhibition between the Sox and the Harvard Crimson, on April 9. http://harvardmagazi...-MAEdHighlights
• Finally, the Sox beat the New York Giants in the WS that season, with the final win on a 10th inning walk off sac fly off of Christy Mathewson. http://www.baseball-...n/1912_WS.shtml
• The first WS game at Fenway actually ended in a 6-6, 11 inning tie.

[Montana Fan]

http://articles.lati...1_fenway-park/2

Here's an article about the 75th anniversary of Fenway. A few interesting tidbits from the Spring of 1986.

Boston's last World Series championship was in 1918. With the Kansas City Royals in town Monday to christen Fenway Park's 75th campaign, not even the most hopeful dreamers expect a championship in Beantown anytime soon.

Its other major feature was Duffy's Cliff, a 10-foot mound along the foot of the left field wall, which was the domain of Red Sox left fielder Duffy Lewis, who made fantastic catches while balanced at its summit.


Tom Yawkey bought the Red Sox in 1933, and the ballpark underwent a major renovation in time for the 1934 season. The grandstands and bleachers were done over, and Yawkey eliminated Duffy's Cliff.

In 1940, the right field bullpens were added, and the area was immediately dubbed "Williamsburg." The bullpens shortened the distance to the fence by 23 feet, helping the home run bat of young slugger Ted Williams.

[Guapos Toenails]

I was at one of the KC games in 86. I think it was Bo Jackson's first game at Fenway. Someone threw a football on the field when he came up to bat. One of the Sox (the pitcher?) picked it up and punted it back into the stands.

[Guapos Toenails]

86 or 87...

[amh03]

Great thread idea! I love that tours go on year round...getting a chance to visit the Park when the bats are silent is pretty special. Here's one of my favorite winter pics:

[HriniakPosterChild]

I was at one of the KC games in 86. I think it was Bo Jackson's first game at Fenway. Someone threw a football on the field when he came up to bat. One of the Sox (the pitcher?) picked it up and punted it back into the stands.

That was 1987, and I was there too.

I also remember Bo making an outstanding dive and roll catch in left field, getting a huge ovation, and turning to watch the play on the big screen (which was a long, long way from DiamondVision back then).

[Lose Remerswaal]

More on upcoming events can be found here

[ypioca]

Great thread idea! I love that tours go on year round...getting a chance to visit the Park when the bats are silent is pretty special. Here's one of my favorite winter pics:

<a href="http://www.flickr.co...cs/4351597941/" title="Day 43/365 by ah_pics, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticf...0a6_z.jpg?zz=1" width="640" height="427" alt="Day 43/365"></a>

This is still the only way I've ever seen Fenway. I took a winter tour last year, and even with the ongoing renovations that were in full swing, it was still one of the most mesmerizing sights in my life. I still have the neon green bag sticker from that day.

A few months later I saw my first two (and still only) Major League games, on Opening Weekend in Arlington. That experience, while obviously unforgettable, pales in comparison to walking those concourses.

Also, it didn't help that the Sox lost both games. And one of the starters was Lackey,

[terrisus]

Related to this, Fenway Park has been added to the National Registry of Historic Places.

Edited by terrisus, 07 March 2012 - 06:01 PM.

[SoxScout]

National Geographic Special: Inside Fenway Park: An Icon at 100

premieres on Monday, March 26, 2012.

Looks like it's on WGBH at 10 PM tonight.

[trekfan55]

Will this be streaming anywhere? Or will it be available on PBS online?

[jacklamabe65]

Thoroughly enjoyed it......

[Harry Agganis]

Me too

[cornwalls@6]

Watched it last night, and liked it as well. One problem though: Must Barnicle, with his tired, played-out "we have an inferiority complex to New York, politics, sports, and revenge, blah, blah, blah" narrative always be trotted out for these things?? The rest of it was an entertaining mix of history and all-access look at gameday operations. Definitely worth a look.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Watched it last night, and liked it as well. One problem though: Must Barnicle, with his tired, played-out "we have an inferiority complex to New York, politics, sports, and revenge, blah, blah, blah" narrative always be trotted out for these things?? The rest of it was an entertaining mix of history and all-access look at gameday operations. Definitely worth a look.

Was Bank of America a sponsor of the program? If so then there's your answer.

[behindthepen]

A good little telling of the story of Game 8 ("what, you think there's going to be a Game 8??") in 1912, in an article about great games that had poor attendance.

http://www.hardballt...n-a-great-game/

"1. Oct. 16, 1912: World Series, Game Eight, New York Giants at Boston Red Sox in American League Park (later known as Fenway Park). Attendance: 17,034. Capacity: 35,000.

Why the game was great: Snodgrass's Muff is the historic shorthand for this game, but that sells it short. This was the only World Series to go past the limit (Game Two was called for darkness after 11, going into the books as a tie), and the game itself was a tense pitchers' duel between Christy Mathewson and Boston's Hugh Bedient, relieved after seven by Smokey Joe Wood (of the 34-5 record).
...

Mitigating and aggravating factors: The stands half-full for the deciding game of the World Series, one day after a near-sellout? There had to be a catch. And there was. Iffy weather, yeah; weekday, sure. But both had been true the previous day. The amazing truth was, the fans had gone on strike."


I had forgotten that the Royal Rooters were still such a big force in 1912, I had always associated them with 1903.

Click the link for the rest of the story.

[Matty005]

Any updates on what they have planned for this day? I just read they plan on giving everyone a glass of sparkling cider to do a huge toast. Has anyone heard anything else?

[joyofsox]

yesterday's herald
http://www.bostonher...402&format=text

mentions the toast and "hundreds of Sox alumni taking the field -- and hinted-at appearances by Boston musical stalwarts"

also says the sox invited tito.

Edited by joyofsox, 10 April 2012 - 11:15 AM.

[amh03]

With Opening Day nearly here I thought it'd be fun to repost this pic from 2009:

[TallerThanPedroia]

A little wetter out today:

[Lose Remerswaal]

All sorts of new plaques and things at the park in conjunction with the 100th.

The good: On the walkway towards the CF side of the Monster seats (by the flagpole) are 6 small plaques with one "explainer" about the 6 homeruns in Fenway Park history which have left the seating area by the flagpole there. I recall one each for Hank Greenberg, Jim Rice, and Yaz
The bad: Near the entrance to the bleachers from the grandstand is a huge plaque commemorating the John Henry ownership on the creation of the Big Concourse, as one of the great improvements of the ballpark.

Now I have no problem with the Big Concourse, but to give it a plaque on the same level as the Pesky Pole is amusing at best.

[jacklamabe65]

Does anyone know if Theo will be in attendance on Friday? Just curious. Thanks.

[snowmanny]

I have an old Baseball Almanac from the 1930's that says the Red Sox play in "Fenway Park II," built in 1934. So for at least a little while the massive rebuild after the 1933 fire/Yawkey purchase was regarded as a brand new park. At some point people went back to saying it was built in 1912.

[behindthepen]

One of the fun things they are doing during the games is highlighting fans born in 1912.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

What time do people figure the park will open? And when will the pre-game ceremonies begin?

[Lose Remerswaal]

My guess is the park will open at 1PM.

Officially this year the park opens 90 minutes before weekday games, 120 minutes before weekend games, but since they are trying to break the record for the World's Largest Toast (sponsored by Welch's Grape Juice), and that's at 2PM, I think they'll have to open up early.

I'm supposed to be there at 12:30, will post here if things change.

[Nuf Ced]

Did anyone hear anything official about a ticket balloon drop?

Brett Connolly ‏ @ConnollyFOX25
100 green balloons out today each with a pair of sox tix for upcoming game (so pop it).

https://twitter.com/#!/ConnollyFOX25/status/192578250067812352/photo/1

[Lose Remerswaal]

They said something about information about a balloon drop coming up later, in last night's telecast, but I turned the game off (in disgust) before they said anything

[sittingstill]

My beer vendor said last night gates would open at 12:30 on Friday, FWIW.

[Nuf Ced]

They said something about information about a balloon drop coming up later, in last night's telecast, but I turned the game off (in disgust) before they said anything

http://www.boston.co...ox_using_b.html

[fenwaypaul]

My beer vendor said last night gates would open at 12:30 on Friday, FWIW.

That makes sense. Executive VP Sam Kennedy just annnounced on the NESN pregame show that the Red Sox are urging fans to be in their seats by 2:00 Friday for the start of the ceremonies.

[sittingstill]

Via email:

Friday, April 20th - The 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park

On April 20, 1912 at 3:00 pm, the Red Sox opened their new ballpark, Fenway Park, against the New York Highlanders. 100 years later, we are doing it all again.

Gates will open at 12:30 pm and we urge all fans to be in their seats by 2:00 pm for the pregame ceremonies. The ceremonies will celebrate Fenway Park's rich tradition highlighted by Red Sox alumni who called Fenway Park home during their careers.

As part of the celebration, we are asking all fans to participate in a special pregame toast. Each fan will receive a can of Welch's sparking juice at their seats to participate in this one-a-kind toast to the ballpark we all love.

This will be a day to remember and we are excited to celebrate the 100th anniversary with you, our most loyal and passionate Red Sox fans. Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday and Friday at Fenway Park.

[Hendu's Gait]

The lines are pretty long for the demanded stuff, even the caricature artist would probably require a 30 minute+ wait. Tough for impatient people. Line to the clubhouse probably takes 2 hours, based on my lousy estimation.

They do hand out a list/map of the new plaques and a map of the red sox player-bought bricks. And there's a sign-in book. I would almost recommend getting in (for those three things) and out and use the maps for when it's less busy.

Most but not all of the tour guys have the timetables for the autographs.

Edited by Hendu's Gait, 19 April 2012 - 10:36 AM.

[Lose Remerswaal]

Who do they have signing autographs?

Edited by Lose Remerswaal, 19 April 2012 - 10:38 AM.

[sittingstill]

Who do they have signing autographs?

While awaiting word from someone who's seen a schedule, it sounds via Twitter as though Ryan Sweeney was one of the first up and Mike Aviles and Kelly Shoppach signed 11-12.

[Hendu's Gait]

Who do they have signing autographs?

Who sitting said, plus Aase was there at 10:30, and Hendu at 12:30-1. Salty too sometime.

[Harry Hooper]

Any chance Joe Carter got an invite?

[drtooth]

Does anyone know if Theo will be in attendance on Friday? Just curious. Thanks.

Apparently not invited?????

http://www.csnne.com...92&feedID=10948

Terry Francona may be in attendance for Fenway's 100th anniversary Friday, but Theo Epstein won't be.

The general manager of the team's only two championship teams of the last 93 years was not invited to the celebration.

The news came as a surprise to principal owner John Henry, who said he was unaware of the decision until contacted by a reporter.

"Apparently we decided to just invite uniformed personnel," said Henry, noting that the team hadn't invited former GMs Mike Port and Dan Duquette either.


Epstein could not be reached for comment.

A bit strange

[SoxScout]

edit: Beaten by the Dr. ....... what DOES John Henry know about nowadays?

Edited by SoxScout, 19 April 2012 - 11:53 AM.

[RedOctober3829]

Apparently not invited?????

http://www.csnne.com...92&feedID=10948



A bit strange

That's a bunch of BS. There's only 4 living former Sox interim or permanent GMs(Hoyer,Port, Duquette, and Epstein). How hard would it be to invite them? Put it in their hands to say no. This is pettiness on the highest level.

[Hendu's Gait]

Duquette and Port not being here/invited, that's inexcusable. Theo and Hoyer I can understand (even though 2004 and 2007 and all that jazz)

[RedOctober3829]

Duquette and Port not being here/invited, that's inexcusable. Theo and Hoyer I can understand (even though 2004 and 2007 and all that jazz)

The professional thing to do would be to invite them so they have the chance to accept or decline. The ownership is doing as much as they can to paint themselves in the most negative light with this debacle of a ceremony.

[Gene Conleys Plane Ticket]

Seems weird not to even extend invites to the former GMs. Three of the four are employed by other teams now -- one of them even within the same division. So maybe that's part of the thinking?

Isn't Port still head of umpiring for MLB. Seems like that could be a conflict?

Maybe they're just tryingto avoid an awkward situation. Still, odd.

Edited by Gene Conleys Plane Ticket, 19 April 2012 - 12:10 PM.

[Lose Remerswaal]

While awaiting word from someone who's seen a schedule, it sounds via Twitter as though Ryan Sweeney was one of the first up and Mike Aviles and Kelly Shoppach signed 11-12.

Who sitting said, plus Aase was there at 10:30, and Hendu at 12:30-1. Salty too sometime.

Justin Thomas isn't available?

[Boggs26]

Pedroia is supposedly signing at 3. Not sure where exactly. Anyone know if its EMC or State street?

[amh03]

I was able to grab some time early this morning to attend the Open House...thought I'd share some of the pics I grabbed. First, some photos of the crowds:

Edited by amh03, 20 April 2012 - 08:20 AM.

[amh03]

I wandered into the new Royal Rooters club for a looksee:



They had a lot of memorabilia in the room:





Including Ted William's plaque from the Hall of Fame:

[amh03]

They also had the Visitor's locker room open (but not the Sox locker room when I was there). The Yankees will be in here tomorrow:


A shot of the walk to the dugout:


And the batting cage behind the Red Sox dugout:

[Hendu's Gait]

Sweet pics, thank you.

[amh03]

It seemed one of the more popular spots in the short time I was there today, was the scoreboard:






And a personal favorite of mine - the tattooed impressions some balls leave after they've hit the Green Monster:


All in all, a very fun visit...a great idea to open the Park up to families and fans...smiles abounded everywhere.

And just a couple more...first, the famed field of Fenway:


And I'll end with the flag:


Can't wait for tomorrow...Happy Birthday, Fenway!

Edited by amh03, 19 April 2012 - 08:39 PM.