“If you believe your catcher is intelligent and you know that he has considerable experience, it is a good thing to leave the game almost entirely in his hands.” Bob Feller

Posted on March 7, 2012 by fenwaypark100

Votes are now being taken for the All Fenway Team at the positions of catcher and first basemen.

http://mlb.mlb.com/bos/fenwaypark100/index.jsp

Just as a reminder my All Fenway team is a squad of 25 players, not the “best” player at each position. My pitching staff has been selected and it consists of starters, Smokey Joe Wood, Babe Ruth, Lefty Grove, Mel Parnell, Luis Tiant, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez and Jon Lester with Dick Radatz and Jonathan Papelbon in the bullpen.

Today the All Fenway battery is completed with the addition of two catchers and I am not sure there is an easier selection than these two players. First, is a native New Englander who actually played four decades in the major leagues. He was the third Red Sox player to be named American League Rookie of the Year and in his nine full seasons at Fenway Park, he was an all-star six times.

His number hangs in retired glory at Fenway Park.

He is the author of what is perhaps Fenway Park’s most iconic moment.

He was tough. 

Fearless 

and unrelenting. 

He was a leader. 

He is Carlton Fisk and he is the greatest catcher in the history of Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox. 

And one of the greatest catchers in the history of the game.

 The other catcher was acquired, along with Derek Lowe from the Seattle Mariners for Heathcliff Slocum. Who? Yea I know it is one of the best trades in Red Sox history. He spent his entire career in a Red Sox uniform catching 15 seasons. He is a three-time all-star and a Gold Glove winner who hit 11 post season home runs. He is the Red Sox all time leader in games caught.

He is the only catcher in baseball history to catch four no-hitters.

He twice, made his way from behind the plate to take the World Championship leap into the arms of his pitcher. 

He was tough 

fearless 

and unrelenting. 

He was a leader. 

He is Jason Varitek and he is one of only three Red Sox captains since 1943. 

In five years he will make his first appearance on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot and until then he will await history’s judgement knowing that he is one of the two best catchers to ever don a Red Sox uniform and call Fenway Park home. 

Carlton Ernest Fisk and Jason Andrew Varitek, Pudge and Tek, the catchers on the All Fenway team!

And so it is on this date in Fenway Park history, March 7, 2012.

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“Altogether the fans will be accommodated in a fashion never before approached in New England.” The Boston Sunday Post

Posted on March 6, 2012 by fenwaypark100

In the early months of 1912, the Chinese Republic was established, New Mexico and Arizona became the 47th and 48th states, the first eastbound transcontinental flight landed in Jacksonville Florida and this man, Frederick Law,  parachuted off the top of the Statue of Liberty.

And while the Italian forces were becoming the first to use “airships” for military purposes, the Girl Scouts were forming in Savannah Georgia; Mrs. William Howard Taft was readying to plant the first cherry trees in Washington DC, and Cy Young was deciding it was time to retire from baseball, this man,

James McAleer, president of the Boston Red Sox, was conducting a tour for the Boston “baseball editors” on the soon to be finished,brand spanking new, Fenway Park. Construction for the ballpark began in September of 1911 and by the first week of March in 1912, and six weeks away from its official opening, Fenway Park was ready, through the 11 city newspapers, to be introduced to the Royal Rooters and the people of Boston.

Top, L-R: Os W. Brown (Boston Traveler), Mose Chandler, Samuel P. Carrick, (Boston Journal), Charles Leary (Fall River), Timothy Murnane (Boston Globe), Sam Crane (New York Journal), O. J. Burke (Boston Journal).

Bottom, L-R: Wallace Goldsmith (Boston Globe sports cartoonist), Arthur Cooper (Boston Post), Herman Nickerson (Boston Journal), Ralph E. McMillan (Boston Herald), Jake C. Morse (Baseball Magazine), Paul Shannon (Boston Post).

A few of these boys made the tour.

Fenway Park March 1912.

It appears as if a couple of Vito Corleone’s boys were in charge of keeping the newspaper men away from certain parts of the construction site as was reported in the Boston Sunday Post’s Sporting Section. For the editors “viewed a bewildering variety of “No Passing” and “Don’t Walk Here” signs and two or three black browed  sons of sunny Italy who showed every disposition to enforce all regulations”. Does that sound politically correct? Just wondering.

 Fenway’s Right Field Grandstand.

 It was a brisk, no make that cold, wind which blew around the new Fenway Park that early March day. In fact it was so windy that it garnered the Post headlines, “Plenty of Air at New Red Sox Park” and the writers attempted to “make out that the wintry gale was a balmy summer breeze” however that effort went “without much success”.

The more adventuresome of the group actually ventured on up to the roof “where there was more air than ever….but the visit was worthwhile as the only way to obtain a complete realization of the immensity of the stands and the grounds is to get on top of it.” Those of lesser heart merely retired to the unfinished business offices where they warmed themselves by a fire.

The consensus of the day was that “every seat will be a good one…..and the curvature and the pitch of the seats is far superior to the arrangement of Forbes Field in Pittsburgh the only park which can approach the local American grounds in completeness of fitting up.”

The final thought was that “if President McAleer can make good on his promise of a team to fit the grounds, there will be nothing whatever to grumble about.”

Well, President McAleer did make good on his promise. The 1912 Red Sox won 105 games the most in their history. The 1912 Red Sox won their third American League pennant. The 1912 Red Sox won Fenway Parks first ever World Series. There was nothing to grumble about, nothing to grumble about at all.

 Although the past century has given the Fenway Faithful and Red Sox Nation a few things to “grumble about”, one thing remains certain, and that is that “altogether the fans will be accommodated in a fashion never before approached in New England.” It was true then and it remains true today, a century later!

And so it was on this date in Fenway Park history, March 6, 1912.

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Stonefingers, Dr. Strangeglove, Stu, call him what you will, but he could hit a baseball very, very far.

Posted on March 5, 2012 by fenwaypark100

He arrived in Boston in December of 1962, having just been acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 1961 American League Rookie of the Year, Don Schwall.

 And in true “Stu” fashion, he was off to Fenway Park for some publicity shots,

 dress shoes and all. Above all, Dick Stuart was a character.

By the time he arrived in Boston he was a legendary power hitter and he had clubbed home runs of mythical proportions; from Billings Montana, to Lincoln Nebraska, from Salt Lake City to the Dominican Republic and back to Pueblo Colorado where it is told he hit a home run which measured 610 feet! The interesting aspect of that shot was that it was said to be measured by the opposing pitcher with help from his teammates!

In 1956 while playing for the Lincoln Nebraska Chiefs, a Pirate A ball affiliate, he hit 66, that’s right, 66 home runs. Perhaps even more astounding is that he hit a home run every 7.9 at bats. That’s a Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa cheating on steroids type number.

Sporting the bravado of a young Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) he “held out” for more money as a rookie! Never at a loss for words or an opinion he nearly came to blows with virtually every minor league manager he played for and when he was sent down to the Pacific Coast League out of the 1957 Pirates training camp he took a shot at shortstop Dick Groat on his way out the door, “yea you’ll hit .300 alright, .150 the first half of the season and .150 the second half.” Groat in fact hit .315 for the season while “Stu” slugged 45 homers for three minor league teams.

By 1960, Dick Groat was the MVP and Dick Stuart was his first baseman. Stuart was on deck when Bill Mazeroski hit his home run to clinch the 1960 World Series. In 1961 Stuart hit 35 homers and knocked in 117 runs while hitting .301. However after punching a fan who called him a bum, his fate was sealed in Pittsburgh and he was bound for Boston and Fenway Park, a right-handed power hitters paradise.

 Red Sox public relations director Bill Crowley was told, “he’ll rub you the wrong way, but you’ll end up liking him.”

Well, Stuart  did not leave his bravado in Pittsburgh and when he reported to spring training in Scottsdale Arizona 49 years ago this week, he did so in a cloud of controversy having said some disparaging things about baseball managers. He compounded his difficulties by telling Ted Williams that all “old Guys” were good for was hitting pepper and then he told the Boston press he’d hit 40 homers. He was rubbing everybody the wrong way.

But his first hit of the year was a home run in Washington which propelled the Sox to a 3-0 win. His first hit at Fenway Park was three run homer leading to a 6-1 victory.

His boyish charm and Hollywood looks, garnered him both a radio and TV show in Boston; Bill Crowley liked him, as did the Fenway Faithful. In 1963 he hit 42 homers joining Jimmie Foxx and Ted Williams as the only Red Sox players to hit 40 homers in a season. And he led the league with 118 RBI and 319 total bases. He also led the league in grounding into double plays and he set a Red Sox strikeout record, fanning 144 times.

Then there was of course the matter of his defensive ability or more apropos, his lack thereof. To his credit, he warned the Fenway Faithful that he was not a stellar performer with the glove and around the bag. And it was not long before he proved true to his word. He made 29 errors in 1963, and 24 more the following year earning him nicknames like Dr. Strangeglove and Stonefingers. Fittingly enough, both knock offs from popular movies of his day, Dr Strangelove and Goldfinger.

Stuart was, in many ways, a precursor to the modern athlete, as his baseball career was a springboard to other endeavors off the field. And he was the prototypical designated hitter, only he was about 15 years too early.

He was gone from the Red Sox after only two seasons; seasons in which he hit 75 home runs, knocked in 232 runs and was cheered for “fielding” a hot dog wrapper blowing around the Fenway infield.

He returned to Boston in 1966 as a surprise guest at the Boston Baseball Writers dinner and accepted a “Gold Glove Award” . Curt Gowdy presented it to him to for being so good-natured about the ribbing he took for his fielding.

Dick Stuart will always hold a special place in the heart of the Fenway Faithful who cheered him, booed him and loved him.

And so it was at this time in Fenway Park history, Stonefinger’s time.

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“And on the seventh day….. He rested.”…..Genesis

Posted on March 4, 2012 by fenwaypark100

And Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek played golf…..

And so did I…..Happy Sunday!

And so it is on this day in Fenway Park history, March 4, 2012.

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“O Captain, My Captain….Your fearful trip is done, the ship has weathered every rack, the prize you sought is won.” Walt Whitman

Posted on March 3, 2012 by fenwaypark100

Jason Varitek, the Captain, said goodbye Thursday. There is a moment that will forevermore define him, and we all know what it is….It started with this,

Be careful what you ask for Alex….You just might…

Get it!

How many Red Sox fans lived vicariously through Jason Varitek at this moment?

How many Red Sox fans would have traded places with Tek for this one moment? 

How many Red Sox fans left their seats with a raucous cheer at this moment? 

How many Red Sox fans will ever get tired of looking at this?

Remember the scene? Remember the scenario? All winter long, ARod was coming to Boston. The Fenway Faithful (the “Nation” hadn’t quite arrived yet)  were giddy with excitement, with anticipation. Remember when you wanted to date that gorgeous cheerleader but she “would never be interested in you”. The cheerleader said yes! Wow, finally and the Fenway Faithful were ready, flowers ordered, suit pressed, reservations made, finally, she said yes. And then, that freaking quarterback, called and said, “sure I’ll take you” leaving the Faithful all dressed up with nowhere to go…..Again!

The 1967 Red Sox are credited with saving the franchise and setting into motion what has become Red Sox Nation. That team was led by one of only three Red Sox captains since 1943.

Carl Yastrzemski 1967 Triple Crown Winner and MVP.

 I submit to you that just as that year turned the franchise around, the redefining of this Red Sox era came at the moment Jason Varitek invited Mr. Rodriquez to have a taste of his glove! It was that moment which re-defined the 2004 Red Sox season. It was that moment that they embarked upon a path that would change the history of the franchise and the game. It was that moment which encapsulated the rebirth of the Boston Red Sox. And it was Jason Varitek who lead the band of “idiots” and the “Nation” to their long eluded promised land!

For “the Captain” was a presence! The stat geeks will not get all worked up about his “numbers”. He was an all-star three times, a Gold Glove winner but once, and he did win a Silver Slugger Award in 2005. A solid offensive career but nothing to really “wow” about.  But he was a force and sometimes a force cannot be quantified. Pick your cliché and it will apply to Varitek, “played the game the way it should be played”, “he always had your back”; the reasons clichés are born is simply because they are weak attempts to quantify immeasurable forces and Jason Varitek was an immeasurable force.

The simple fact is that he made everybody around him better and that is the essence of a team player. Adrian Gonzalez said of him, “he cares more about his teammates than anyone I’ve ever played with.” Nuff Ced!

Arrivederci Captain, grazie !

And so it is on this date in Fenway Park history, March 3, 2012.

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“Do you know how many times I’ve heard “wait till next year”? I’m running out of next years.” Remo Sinibaldi

Posted on March 2, 2012 by fenwaypark100

On October 27, 2004 the Boston Red Sox won the World Series and the next day they announced plans for a parade through the city to take place on Saturday October 30th.

It was a no-brainer, I was on a plane from Tampa Florida and I, along with my daughter Beth, were among the 3,000,000 people to take to the streets of Boston to say thank you!

We gathered outside of Fenway Park at 4:00 AM and shared a day of joy, the likes of which the city of Boston had never known!

The chilling drizzle that fell throughout the day “would not, “could not” dampen the spirit of elation that permeated the city, indeed all of New England.

I never in my life saw more smiles,

 none bigger than this mans.

And the most impressive part of it all is that along the parade route there were a total of three, count em, three arrests!

That afternoon, I made a visit to see mom and dad.

It was when I arrived there that the magnitude of what the Red Sox had done came home to me.

For in one little corner of one cemetery in Weymouth Massachusetts, I found what this meant to millions and millions of people, fans who loved the Red Sox!

Everywhere I turned I found expressions of the depth of the joy!

Balloons…..

Messages, newspapers….

Tee shirts…..

Pennants proclaiming the words so many longed to hear, but never did.

This was one small corner, in one cemetery, in one New England town and I wondered how many times and in how many places was this scene repeated?

There were many impressive moments played out that fall by Manny, Pedro, Lowe, Damon, Schilling, Foulke, Papi, Tek et al. Moments played out at Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and in St. Louis where it all culminated. However, the want, the desire, in fact the need for Red Sox fans to reach out, to reach back to share this glorious moment brought a century of Red Sox fans together and it is that tie which binds and will always bind the Royal Rooters to the Fenway Faithful to Red Sox Nation! Nothing that took place on the diamond is more impressive than that simple fact.

For it is more true now than it has ever been, for so many can say,

And so it is on this day in Red Sox history, March 2, 2012.

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To Boldly Go Where None Have Gone Before.

Posted on March 1, 2012 by fenwaypark100

Today, Jason Varitek will announce he is retiring as a player with the Boston Red Sox. This will leave the 2012 version of the Red Sox with only two players who were associated with the 2004 World Championship team. That band of wonderful “Idiots” who chose to boldly go where no team had gone before!

There were so many aspects of that experience that it is sometimes difficult to comprehend. However, looking back to nearly a decade ago, the champagne tastes as sweet and the memories of joy linger like the scent of the finest bouquet.

Conjuring those delicious memories, I am hard-pressed to determine what was the most impressive aspect of the Boston Red Sox bringing the 2004 World Championship home to Fenway Park and the 14,000,000 people of New England.

Was it this guy?

 David Ortiz hit .387 in the 2004 ALCS and had three home runs and 11 RBI. He had the game winning hits in games four and five and followed it up hitting .308 with a home run and four RBI in the World Series. His first inning homer in game one at Fenway set the tone for the completion of the Red Sox October miracle.

Or maybe this guy?

Curt Schilling whose effort in game six of the ALCS was one of the gutsiest performances in the history of sports. He was brave, courageous and bold; long will live his fame, and long will live his glory and long will his story be told!  

Perhaps this one,

 Johnny Damon scuffled along in the ALCS until he hit a grand slam in the second inning of game seven at Yankee Stadium and then a two run shot in the fourth giving the Sox and insurmountable 8-1 lead.

Or how about him,

 Derek Lowe became the only pitcher in baseball history to win the clinching games in the Division Series, the ALCS and the World Series in the same season! His imprint is eternally embedded in the sidewalk of Fenway folklore!

Or maybe even him,

 Keith Foulke pitched 14 post-season innings in 2004 and gave up only one run and four hits. He was on the mound when 86 years of anguish erupted into pure, unadulterated joy!

The 2004 post season was a microcosm of Fenway Park history. The dismissal of the Angels in three games in the ALDS was reminiscent of the early days of Fenway Park when the Red Sox ruled baseball.  The drubbing they received in the first three games of the ALCS at the hands of the Yankees represented the post Ruth era when they were doormats. The next three games in which they evened that series was their return to respectability, representing all those “close but no cigar” years……

1946

and ’67’

and ’75’

and ’86’ ugh!

And game seven belonged to them, this band of misfits and idiots who loved each other, loved the game, loved being Red Sox and loved their place in history! They, who ignored the naysayers and “curse” blatherers and on the sacred turf of Yankee Stadium, added a permanent chink in the armor of the Yankees.

For no matter how many World Championships they may add to their tremendously impressive number, they will also forever be known as the either the only or the first team to lose a three games to nothing lead in a post season series! And it came at the hands of the Boston Red Sox!

The World Series of 2004 represents this new era of the Boston Red Sox. The era of championships and winning. The era of a refurbished Fenway Park and high expectations. The era of new ownership and Red Sox Nation. The era of a new century, the era which is now in transition.

Jason Varitek will retire today and the captain of the ship New Red Sox Era will be gone. But never, never will those glorious memories fade! Thanks Tek!

And so it is on this day in Fenway Park history, March 1, 2012.

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“Any other gentleman on this club that hits .390 will not have to wear a necktie either.” Joe McCarthy

Posted on February 29, 2012 by fenwaypark100

Thirty days have September, April, June and November, all the rest have 31 except February which has 28. Except of course for leap year when it has 29! What? I learned that “poem” if can call it that, from Mrs. Kane, my second grade teacher at the James Humphrey School in Weymouth Massachusetts.

 It has proved to be a worthwhile tool as I often recite it when figuring out which months have the requisite 30 or 31 days. Except of course February. Well, did you ever wonder why we do this every four years? Well here you go. There are 365 days in a year right? And, of course, the year is measured by the amount of time it takes us here on earth to orbit around the sun. Well, sort of, it actually takes 365 days and six hours to orbit one time around the sun. Now stay with me here, 6 hours times four, is 24! Twenty-four, hmmmm that’s how many hours in a day right? Hence we’ve just added a day soooo every fourth year we add a day and voila, here we are, the added day! I suppose the calendar folks chose February because it was so shortchanged.

Now here’s the kicker, it actually takes 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, and 16 seconds for earth to orbit the sun. So I was thinking, that’s 10 minutes and 44 seconds short of 365 days and six hours, so what do we do when that differentiation adds up to another day? Whew, that’s way above my pay grade but I’m sure the smart folks who govern such things have it under control!

Well, by now you’re asking yourself what in the hell does this have to do with Fenway Park or the Red Sox? The more astute observers among you may even be asking, what does it have to do with Ted Williams?

You see Ted Williams was known for various and sundry quirks. Among them was he rarely, if ever wore a tie. Even at his Hall of Fame induction in 1966 he was tieless.

Even when he was present  at the Hall of fame inductions as an old-timer, he never wore a tie. It became a bit of a problem in 1948 when the new Red Sox skipper Joe McCarthy laid down the “rule” that all players would wear a jacket and tie when in public.

The Boston writers knowing this would be fodder for their writing mill, jumped on McCarthy and asked him about Williams. Joe said that this would not apply to Ted. In true Boston sportswriter fashion, they pressed him about the double standard. McCarthy paused, took a deep breath and said, “I want to be fair about this, any other gentleman on this club that hits .390 will not have to wear a necktie either.” Case closed!

Later that day, McCarthy appeared in the lobby of the Sarasota Florida hotel, sans necktie. Oh, the date, February 29, 1948.

And so it was on this date in Fenway Park history, February 29, 1948.

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The All Fenway Park Pitching Staff…..

Posted on February 28, 2012 by fenwaypark100

This one is for you stat geeks. I have taken my All Fenway pitching staff and put together a few numbers of interest. First let’s recap, from most recent to back in the day: Jon Lester (L), Jonathan Papelbon (R), Pedro Martinez (R), Roger Clemens (R), Luis Tiant (R), Dick Radatz (R), Mel Parnell (L), Lefty Grove (L), Babe Ruth (L) and “Smokey” Joe Wood (R).

Jon Lester, a two-time all-star, a cancer survivor whose best years are yet to come.

Jonathan Papelbon the Red Sox all time save leader. 

Pedro 117-37 and astounding .760 winning percentage with the Red Sox. 

Roger Clemens twice struck out 20 batters in a nine inning game, its only been done four times in history and he did it pre juice! 

Luis Tiant, no Red Sox pitcher had more guile, more heart than El Tiante.

Dick Radatz was 40-21 (.656) with 78 saves in three successive years before an arm injury derailed his career.  

Mel Parnell authored a Fenway Park no-hitter versus the White Sox in 1956. 

Tom Yawkey included $125,000 in the trade that brought Lefty Grove to Boston in 1933. 

In 1916 Babe beat Walter Johnson four times surrendering two runs in 39 innings.

Had he not been injured the best pitcher of the year award might have been called the Smokey Joe Wood Award instead of the Cy Young Award. 

Now for a few fun stats and for purposes of remaining true to the All Fenway team, I included in these numbers only “Smokey” Joe Wood’s stats from 1912 on. So here goes.

The All Fenway pitching staff has a collective record of 966-518 (.651) with an ERA of 3.11 and 357 saves.  The starters combined for a total of 34 saves with Mel Parnell having 10 and Pedro eight.

“Smokey” Joe was 70-18 (.795) from 1912 through 1915 with an ERA of 1.70 and he completed 79% of his starts. Oh, and he threw in five saves.

They appeared in 2477 games and threw 646 complete games. In an interesting stat, the starters threw a complete game 36% of the time and the percentage of complete games is commensurate to the pitching eras. Ruth completed 73% of his starts, “Lefty” Grove threw a complete game in 63% his starts. Wood, Ruth and Grove completed 73% of their collective starts.

Entering into the era when closers became more and more relied upon the decline in complete games increases.  Tiant (47%) marks the transition era of the 1970s and by the time Clemens arrived in 1984 the closer was entrenched in baseball. His complete game percentage was 26% of his starts. Jon Lester has six complete games in his career for a total of 0.03% of his starts.

They faced 54,047 batters, walked 4,216 of them and hit 359 of them. They surrendered 11, 485 hits leaving opponents with a .232 average. They struck out 9,850 batters. Although Clemens is the all time Red Sox strikeout leader with 2,590 Pedro is the All Fenway strikeout king averaging 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. Clemens struck out one of every 4.3 batters he faced, Pedro, had one in every 3.2 batters go down on strikes. In an interesting look at, shall we say the “intimidation” factor, Clemens hit one of every 132 batters he faced, Pedro plunked one of every 71 batters! As for control, again it’s Pedro, he walked one batter for every 17.7 he faced, Clemens gave a pass to every 13.2 batters.

The All Fenway pitching staff has collectively led the league in the following categories: Wins-5 times, Winning percentage-7 times, ERA-14 times, Shutouts-10 times, Strikeouts-3 times,  Complete games-5 times, Starts-twice and Innings pitched-twice. They have made 20 all-star appearances, won 5 CY Young Awards and one MVP.

Oh, and one more thing…..

The GREATEST pitcher in the history of the Red Sox and Fenway Park!

And so it is on this day in Fenway Park history, February 28, 2012.

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“If you build it, he will come….. people will come Ray”…..Terrence Mann (played by James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams)

Posted on February 27, 2012 by fenwaypark100

And on Saturday February 25, 2012 they came.

They came to Daniels Parkway in Ft. Myers Florida. They came to where a century of baseball tradition in Boston merged with today and the Florida sunshine. They came to say hello to Jet Blue Park at Fenway South.

When John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino bought the Boston Red Sox a decade ago, my brother and I often spoke of how we love the fact that these guys “get it”. They get what this team means to New England. They get what it meant to live through generations of angst born of not winning a World Series. They get how connected Red Sox fans stay to the players and teams of the past. They get what the Jimmy Fund means to the entire community. They simply get it!

Just how much they get it is now on full display in a Florida city 1500 miles south of Fenway Park!                                            

Under their ownership, the concept of beautiful losers has been shred, and their new facility displays their focus and their goal each year!

Decorated on walls throughout the facility are the symbols which are emblematic of the World Series the Red Sox have won.

And they have recreated a mini Fenway Park.

Replete with The Green Monster and the Monster seats. There is however, a variation on this theme as the seats are protected by netting. The reason is that the ball is still in play. A ball has to be hit to the standing room location atop the “Monster” to be a homer.

The right field facade appears to offer a variation as well but I’m not so sure. The retired numbers pictured are in the order in which they were retired. At Fenway the numbers are listed numerically and have been so since Fisk’s 27 was retired. Is there a reason for this variation or is this a hint of what we will see at Fenway for her 100th birthday year? I love this and I hope Fenway follows suit.

Outside the park, the original Ted Williams Jimmy Fund Statue has found another home and looks quite comfortable among the Florida Palms.

Ted’s “Red Seat” is commemorated as well and I found this most compelling. It is 502 feet from home plate just as Ted’s “Red Seat” is at Fenway, only here, it’s about 20 feet from the parking lot.

Under the grandstand, the Red Sox most memorable moments are on display, just as they are in the first base State Street Pavillion at Fenway.

 And over the facade behind home plate the banners declaring each American League Pennant and World Series championship boldly declare the quest for more.

Fenway Park’s first year.

For many, Fenway Park’s best year.

And what would a day at spring training be without a visit to the minor league fields.

Daniel Nava, remember him? A grand slam home run on the first pitch he ever saw in the major leagues!

One way you know you are at the minor league complex, the players still pick up the baseballs.

And so I shared with my big brother the very first day of the historic 2012 season for Fenway Park and the Red Sox. And there is serendipity in that for there is no one with whom I have shared more Fenway moments than he.

         And so it is on this day in Fenway Park history, February 27, 2012.  

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