Fenway
I am going to talk A LOT about Fenway and the Sox! Ideally, folks, we're stopping here for pictures but please keep in mind, it isn't always possible:( I know, I know, they simply INSIST on playing games and having concerts here and sometimes the tour is going to clash with their schedule. Don't worry, if we can't stop here 1) We'll almost definitely drive around it and 2) I'll make it up to ya;)
Regardless of how much I am able to tell you, with this place and this team, there's always alotta more! Here's a few fun facts that I don't typically get to include.
-Fenway opened April 20, 1912. It was supposed to open on the 16th. However, in the wee hours of the 15th the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg and sank (you might have heard of it) The news was finally reaching and dominating the headlines on the 16th. Opening day was then delayed for 4 days. Out of respect and mourning? No, it rained here for 4 days. First pitch on April 20th was thrown out by John F Fitzgerald (JFK’s Grandaddy).
-The Green Monster is, of course, Fenway's iconic left field wall. It measures 37' and 2". Was it built as an effort to reduce home runs since it is not very far from home plate? Heck no. They needed a very tall left‑field wall to block people from watching games for free from Lansdowne Street.The famous manual scoreboard that runs along the bottom wasn’t added until 1934. It is only 1 of 2 manual scoreboards still in operation in the big leagues (Wrigley). It wasn’t painted green until 1947. Seats were added atop the Monster for the 2003 season (I sat up there the 1st weekend they opened). Before those seats were added, there was a giant net to catch the balls that sailed over the Green Monster. Parked cars and, businesses and people were not safe! Anyway, to gather the balls caught in the net a ladder was built up the wall, in fair play. And it's still there! It no longer serves a functional purpose but, of course, occasionally wreaks havoc when a ball ricochets off, leaving left fielders clueless.
-Fenway has also hosted way more than just baseball. It has seen 3 of the 4 major sports play there. Now I know what you're thinking. Huh, they played basketball there? Nope. Hockey! The NHL's Winter Classic has played there twice and the annual Frozen Fenway, highlighted by top-tier college teams such as BU, BC and Northeastern. It was the 1st home of the Boston Patriots back in the 60s. Fenway has also seen soccer, boxing, wrestling and even snowboarding one year! Political rallies from FDR to JFK, graduation ceremonies and yes, weddings. It's naturally appeared in a few movies over the years. The Town, Fever Pitch, and Moneyball, to name a few. And who didn't cry when Ted was ripped in half on top of the Green Monster and fell 37'2" to the ground below? Last but certainly not least, the concerts. Ray Charles played the 1st ever concert at Fenway in 1959. And it remained a music venue for about 15 years. However, in the mid-70s, the concerts just stopped. Why? Well, neighborhood noise concerns and lack of modern staging infrastructure, mostly. Then in 2003, they returned. The Boss opened things back up and Fenway has been a summer concert powerhouse ever since. Suffice it to say, if you get the opportunity to see a show here, take it. It's a great vibe! Oh, and also worth mentioning? To my knowledge it has happened only the one time at the old ballyard. Four years ago, Boston's own, Bill Burr broke the Fenway comedy barrier and performed stand-up to 35,000+ people. The largest comedy show in Boston's history.
