10 Facts You Didn't Know About Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park
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That oneBoston Red SoxThey are baseball's most famous franchise and Fenway Park is the most popular stadium in the country. But even after 110 seasons and thousands of games played, there are still some things the average Red Sox fan doesn't know about their favorite team.
Now there are at least 25 die-hard Red Sox fans who can say yes.
It is becauseRecompensas Chase Marriottrecently gave 25 lucky cardmembers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with an exclusive tour of Fenway Park and dinner with Red Sox legend Luis Tiant. Along the way, these fans learned some baseball history firsthand from some of those who witnessed it.
Here's a look at 10 Red Sox facts you probably never knew.
The Legend of the Seat by Ted Williams
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ballparkchasers.com
If you've been to Fenway Park before, you may have noticed a single red seat (section 42, row 37, seat 21) in the grandstand. It was here that Ted Williams hit a 502-foot home run on June 9, 1946, which to this day remains the longest home run in Fenway Park history.
But the legend goes a little further.
Sitting in that chair that day was Joe Boucher, 56, a construction worker from Albany, New York. According to legend, Williams saw Boucher dozing under his straw hat and decided to teach him a lesson by throwing a ball into the correct stands.
The ball sailed past Boucher's hat and hit him on the head. Boucher joked that there was aYankeesfan (he really was a die-hard Red Sox fan) and that he should take the home run as a sign from the baseball gods never to root for the Red Sox.
The headline in the Boston Globe the next day read:"Diana! Ted Williams makes sense for a Yankee fan."
Why was the green monster built?
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The Green Monster was as much a part of Red Sox history as Fenway Park was, and was introduced along with the rest of the stadium in 1914.
Why would the Red Sox want a 37-foot wall in left field?
The answer seems to be blocking bottlenecks from seeing the game.
According to legend, the owner of the Red Sox was walking along Landsdowne Street in downtown Boston when he noticed that all the restaurants and bars that lined the street had an unobstructed view of the stadium.
Determined not to let anyone see his Red Sox for free, Tom Yawkey ordered a wall high enough to prevent passersby from stealing a stake at the game.
How did the green monster get its name?
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The "monster" part is pretty obvious. Fenway Park's left field wall is the tallest in all of baseball, standing at a record 37 feet tall. But why "green"?
The original Monster Green was actually covered in publicity until 1947 when it was given a beautiful Fen Green coating, now known as "Monster Green".
He was later dubbed "Green Monster" by a journalist, replacing his previous designation as "The Wall". Yes, I also like the new name.
What's in the green monster?
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In addition to a scorer and several rather large mice, the Green Monster is home to hundreds of signatures from current and former baseball players.
It's a long tradition in Major League Baseball and something of a rite of passage for opposing players to sign their names on the inside wall the first time they enter Fenway Park.
maybe it is thatManuel Ramirezhe did so in 2003 when he disappeared into the Green Monster between starters.
Yawkeys live in Morse code
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flickr.com
Thomas A. Yawkey and Jean R. Yawkey purchased the Red Sox and Fenway Park in 1933 and revitalized an underperforming team. The Yawkeys remained with the team until 1992, but their names will live on in the stadium forever.
The Yawkeys loved the Red Sox so much that they decided to carve their initials into the Green Monster. If you look at the vertical white band between the "E" and the "P" and the parallel band just below the "N" in "American League", you will see a series of dashed lines.
This is Morse code and it spells "TAY" and "JRY".
Fisk free-kick post
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elsa/fake photos
Most Red Sox fans know the story behind the Pesky Pole, the pole on the right field line that is just 302 feet from home plate and is the shortest porch in all of baseball.
But how many fans know the name of the other Foulpol?
The left field foul post also has a name, and it's a big deal if you've been following the Red Sox since 1975.
Of course, the Fisk Pole is named after Carlton Fisk, who hit a game-winning home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series that miraculously stayed fair and bounced off the pole.
Fisk's foul post was named in 2005, making Fenway Park the only major league stadium to have two named foul posts.
Duffy's cliff is getting flatter
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sonsofsamhorn.net
Fenway Park 2011 is very different from Fenway Park 1912, but one feature you may have heard of is called "Duffy's Cliff".
Named for legendary left fielder Duffy Lewis, this "cliff" was a 10-foot drop that occupied left field between 1912 and 1933. Lewis was famous for running uphill and catching flying balls before they reached the Green Monster.
Tom Yawkey decided to level "Duffy's Cliff" in 1934 as part of a major renovation that changed Fenway Park forever.
the birth of the wave
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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Where the wave came from is one of the great unknowns in sports, and it may not have even started with baseball. However, the people of Fenway Park seem to like their side of the story.
She believes the wave owes its existence to a tight area behind home plate at Fenway Park. These seats are so close together (yes, they're still there) that every time a fan had to get up, for example to get a beer, everyone else in line had to get up too. Fans in the next row also got up in frustration because they couldn't see the game anymore. This created a ripple effect with the entire section rising rhythmically in unison.
Thus was born the wave.
Believe it or not, there are certainly crazier stories out there.
At least one thing about Fenway Park is great.
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elsa/fake photos
Fenway Park is arguably the smallest baseball park in all of baseball. It is also by far the oldest. But much of the park isn't all that small (and no, it's not the Green Monster).
I'm talking about the press box, the biggest of the majors. Built in the late 1980s, the press gallery consists of three levels of seating (local media, national media and other media) and can accommodate over 50 journalists.
But even this is sometimes not enough.
When Daisuke Matsuzaka joined the Red Sox in 2007, he brought a number of Japanese journalists with him. There was no room for them in the press box, so these journalists were sent to a back room, where they covered the game "live" while watching it on TV.
I think this will no longer be a problem.
Who writes "socks" with an "X"?
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Jim Rogash/Getty Images
The Boston Americans were nicknamed the Boston Red Sox in 1907 after a uniform change made red the team's official color. The players wore red socks, so the decision to change the team name was obviously an easy one.
However, the owner decided that "SOCKS" didn't look good on a T-shirt, so he shortened it to "RED SOX", splitting the six letters evenly down the middle.
The strangest thing about this story is that the original Boston Red Stockings were actually a different team. Now you can know her like theatlanta tapfer.
FAQs
What are some fun facts about Fenway? ›
Fenway Park Quick Facts
Fenway Park had its first official game on April 9, 1912. The Red Sox beat Harvard University 2-0. A few days later, the Park hosted its first professional baseball game on April 20, 1912. The Red Sox beat the New York Highlanders 7-6 in 11 innings, and 27,000 fans attended.
Fenway Park was built in 1912 because owner of the Red Sox, John Taylor, wanted a new ballpark for his team. In April 1912, the ballpark was completed and named Fenway Park because of its location in “The Fens” in Boston.
Why is the number 42 blue at Fenway Park? ›Jackie Robinson's #42 was retired by all Major League clubs in 1997. It's blue to match his uniform with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The numbers originally hung on the right field facade in the order in which they were retired, 9-4-1-8.
What is Fenway Park nickname? ›Relatively high walls in modern ballparks have been constructed for their novelty rather than by necessity, as Fenway's wall had been. The Green Monster is famous for preventing home runs on many line drives that would clear the walls of other ballparks.
What makes Fenway Park in Boston so famous? ›For many years now the left-field wall at Fenway Park has been known as the Green Monster. Standing 37 feet tall, the Green Monster has routinely robbed hitters of sure home runs as they stung shots that easily would have been long gone in other ballparks.
Has Fenway Park ever had a no hitter? ›Fenway Park, where 14 no-hitters have been thrown in its illustrious 104-year history.
Why is Fenway painted green? ›The origin of the wall's distinct color, which is copywritten by the Red Sox, dates back to 1947, when then-owner Tom Yawkey decided that he wanted to minimize the amount of advertising present in the park and had all of the signage on the left-field wall covered with green paint.
Why is there a Green Monster in Fenway? ›It was put there so home run balls could be retrieved from the netting above the wall; the netting has been replaced by seats but the ladder remains, and it's in play. The wall is far from the only quirk in this oldest of Major League ballparks.
What does Fenway mean in English? ›The name Fenway is boy's name meaning "through the marsh". This rare but meaningful name is bestowed upon the children of Boston Red Sox fans in honor of their home ballpark, Fenway Park. Fenway Park is the oldest in the MLB. It was named after the neighborhood in which it is located, Fenway-Kenmore.
What is the most famous seat in Fenway Park? ›The Legend of the Ted Williams Seat
If you've ever been to Fenway Park you may have noticed a solitary red seat (Section 42, Row 37, Seat 21) in the bleachers. This is the place where Ted Williams hit a 502-foot home run on June 9, 1946, which is, to this date, still the longest home run in Fenway Park history.
Is Fenway Park the oldest? ›
The oldest MLB stadium still in use is Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Fenway Park is home to the Boston Red Sox of the American League. Constructed in 1912 with a Jewel Box design, it has seen several renovations and reached status as a National Landmark in its 100th year.
Why does Fenway Park have one red seat? ›But when the ballpark is empty, a lone red seat in the bleachers gleams like a ruby among emeralds. In row 37 of section 42, seat no. 21 stands (or rather, sits) apart in hue to commemorate the longest home run ever hit at Fenway, by the greatest hitter in franchise history.
What do you call Red Sox fans? ›Red Sox Nation is a term used for fans of the Boston Red Sox. The phrase was coined by Boston Globe feature writer Nathan Cobb in an October 20, 1986, article about split allegiances among fans in Connecticut during the 1986 World Series between the Red Sox and the New York Mets.
Who is Sox named after? ›The name Red Sox, chosen by owner John I. Taylor after the 1907 season, refers to the red hose in the team uniform beginning in 1908. Sox had been previously adopted for the Chicago White Sox by newspapers needing a headline-friendly form of Stockings, as "Stockings Win!" in large type did not fit in a column.
What was the Red Sox first name? ›One of the most-storied franchises in American sports, the Red Sox have won nine World Series titles and 14 American League (AL) pennants. Founded in 1901, the franchise (then unofficially known as the Boston Americans) was one of the eight charter members of the American League.
Has a Red Sox ever thrown a perfect game? ›But that came to a halt on May 5, 1904, when Young stepped up to the mound and retired 27 straight batters -- pitching the perfect game. It was the third perfect game ever, the first in AL history, the first of the Modern Era and the only perfect game in Red Sox history.
Is it easy to hit a homerun at Fenway Park? ›Fenway Park features two of the shortest outfield distances in all of baseball. In left field, the foul pole is 310 feet from home plate. While the 310-foot distance is minuscule by MLB standards, the 37-foot-tall Green Monster adds to the challenge of hitting a home run in that direction.
Who threw a no-hitter and lost? ›On April 23, 1964, Ken Johnson of the Houston Colt . 45s became the first pitcher to throw a nine-inning no-hitter and lose. In fact, he is still the only individual to throw an official (nine-inning) no-hitter and lose.
What is the triangle at Fenway Park? ›"The Triangle" (present day)
"The Triangle" is a region of center field where the walls form a triangle 420 feet (128 m) from home plate. That deep right-center point is conventionally given as the center field distance.
His name is Dennis Drinkwater, and he has the best seat in Fenway Park for every game. He is the guy with the blond hair who sits directly behind home plate, one seat off center, looking over the catcher's right shoulder. Night in and night out, he gets more face time on TV than any of the players.
Does Fenway use real grass? ›
To go along with all the history and as impressive as Fenway Park is with most of its original design and architectural features still intact, the natural grass playing surface was one of the things that excited me the most.
Will Fenway Park ever be replaced? ›Red Sox ownership told The Athletic that with all of the upgrades already made at Fenway over the last 20 years, the park will remain viable for future generations to enjoy.
How much does it cost to sit on the Green Monster at Fenway? ›The Green Monster suite is available as a nightly rental for $350, which includes a $120 Drive gift card to order food using our sEATz app.
Do the Red Sox have a nickname? ›Boston Red Sox
The Sox - Short version of "Red Sox". The Sawx - In imitation of the Boston accent. The Crimson Hose - A variation of "Red Sox". The Carmines - A type of red pigment, the nickname is used often by former Red Sox player and retired White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson.
Alcoholic Beverages. Sale of beer at Fenway Park is stopped at the end of the 7th inning (or two and a half hours after the start of the ballgame or earlier at the discretion of management). The following forms of ID are accepted for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
What does Red Sox mean in slang? ›From red and sox (slang form of socks) - the footwear worn by the members of the team.
How much does it cost to sit in the red seat at Fenway Park? ›Fenway's famed red "bleacher" seat now retails for $23-$45 per game.
What seats are undercover at Fenway Park? ›If you are looking to catch a Red Sox game and avoid the sun, the Grandstand sections are a great option. Grandstand Seating wraps around the majority of Fenway, and includes sections 1-33 above the Loge Sections. These seats will protect you from the sun and keep you dry in the rain.
What are the cheapest seats in Fenway? ›The outfield bleacher section is the park's most affordable seating option and has a fun, energetic atmosphere. Just don't expect to have much room around you – unlike the outfield seating at many parks, these sections at Fenway are consistently packed.
Is Fenway the smallest ballpark? ›Fenway Park
Fenway Park is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and is home to the Boston Red Sox. The ballpark opened in 1912, making it the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball. Fenway Park has a seating capacity of 37,755 people, which makes it the third-smallest stadium in the league.
What was the longest game at Fenway Park? ›
If there was any record in Fenway Park history that seemed safe it had to be the one for the longest game. The Red Sox and Yankees played for 18 innings on Sept. 5, 1927, and Boston won 12-11.
Was Fenway Park built on a swamp? ›In her Boston office, historian Leslie Donovan flips through black and white photographs of the land where Fenway Park was built. In one print from 1909, Lansdowne Street is a dirt road. On both sides: just weeds and scrub. "And as you can see, it's a swamp," Donovan says.
What is 617 on Red Sox sleeve? ›“The numbers '617′ are highlighted on the left sleeve as a nod to the area code for Boston and Fenway Park. The numbers appear within a racing bib, honoring one of the city's most iconic annual sports traditions.”
Why are the Red Sox called blue and yellow? ›The colors were selected to honor the Boston Marathon, which was postponed this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why are the Red Sox socks? ›Another big fan was Joseph Medill, the 19th century publisher of the Chicago Tribune. His paper was fond of shortening words like "through" to "thru", "pictures" to "pix" and — yes — "socks" to "sox."
Why are teams named Sox? ›The Boston Red Sox
The Chicago Cubs were originally called the "White Stockings" while the Cincinnati Reds were originally the "Red Stockings." When the American League began play (officially) in 1901, the new Chicago team took on the name the "White Sox", and the new Boston team eventually became the "Red Sox."
The Cincinnati Red Stockings made their mark as the first openly professional baseball club in 1869. Members of the team would go on to form a club that still plays ball today, the Atlanta Braves.
Do Red Sox have names on jerseys? ›"RED SOX" is displayed across the chest in blue lettering outlined in white. Like the regular home uniforms, it does not feature the player's name on the back, with numbers in blue with white trim.
Why are the white socks called that? ›For decades in the 19th century, the only major league team in Chicago was the Chicago White Stockings of the National League, who went on to become the Cubs. When the American League planted a team in Chicago in 1900, they called themselves the White Stockings in homage to the former NL team.
What are some fun facts about the Red Sox? ›The MLB franchise Boston Red Sox was founded in 1901. The then-called “Boston Americans” won their first World Series championship in 1903. After that, the Red Sox won eight more World Series championships, placing them amongst the top three teams with the most titles in the MLB.
Who is the most famous Boston Red Sox? ›
- Ted Williams.
- Carl Yastrzemski.
- Roger Clemons.
- Jim Rice.
- Wade Boggs.
- Cy Young.
- Dwight Evans.
- David Ortiz.
As of November 2022, Roger Clemens and Cy Young top the ranking of the Boston Red Sox all-time wins leaders having won a total of 192 games each throughout their career. Clemens and Young are followed within this ranking by Tim Wakefield with a total of 186 games won.
Is Fenway Park the oldest park? ›The oldest ballpark is Fenway Park in Boston, home of the Boston Red Sox, which opened in 1912. The newest stadium is Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, home of the Texas Rangers, which opened in 2020.
How old is Fenway Park? › Why Does Fenway have monsters? ›It was put there so home run balls could be retrieved from the netting above the wall; the netting has been replaced by seats but the ladder remains, and it's in play. The wall is far from the only quirk in this oldest of Major League ballparks.
What is the deepest MLB field? ›Which MLB Stadium Has the Deepest Outfield Wall? The Houston Astros' Minute Maid Park has the farthest outfield wall in MLB. The field's center field (straightaway) wall is 435 feet from home plate.
What is the hardest MLB stadium to hit a homerun? ›That honor goes to Coors Field. Even though it is the league's largest ballpark, the altitude in Denver helps sluggers get extra distance on their fly balls. So far in 2022, Coors Field ranks first in ESPN's MLB Park Factors for home runs, meaning it helps batters homer more than any other ballpark.
Did Fenway open the same day the Titanic sank? ›The Red Sox opened Fenway in 1912 — the same week the Titanic sank — and almost from the start they put it to use for other events. It hosted boxing, soccer and hockey in its first decade, and the forerunners of the NFL's Washington Commanders and New England Patriots both called the ballpark home at one point.
What is oldest MLB stadium? ›The oldest MLB stadium still in use is Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Fenway Park is home to the Boston Red Sox of the American League. Constructed in 1912 with a Jewel Box design, it has seen several renovations and has reached National Landmark status in its 100th year.
Why do they play dirty water at Fenway Park? ›Henry's Fenway Sports Group also owns Liverpool, suggesting the use of the song may lend itself to some form of cross-marketing, but a spokesperson for Liverpool said the use of “Dirty Water'' is “merely a case of [stadium operators] filtering through the large number of music requests they receive from supporters and ...
Why does Fenway have a wall? ›
The Green Monster has been a part of Red Sox history as long as Fenway Park has, and it was introduced in 1914 alongside the rest of the ballpark. However, why would the Red Sox even want a 37-foot wall in left field in the first place? The answer, it seems, is to keep cheapskates from watching the game.
What is the shortest MLB game? ›According to the all-knowing Google, the 1910 matchup between the Atlanta Crackers and Mobile Sea Gulls is the first choice that pops up when you search fastest baseball game ever. It was 32 minutes long.
Is Wrigley or Fenway older? ›Boston Red Sox: Fenway Park, 1912. Chicago Cubs: Wrigley Field, 1914.
Who played the first game at Fenway Park? ›Fenway Park hosted its first game on April 9, 1912, an exhibition the Red Sox won 2-0 over Harvard University. The park's first official, regular season game was played on April 20, 1912, a contest between the Red Sox and New York Highlanders that drew a crowd of 27,000 fans.