Fenway Park to Turn 100 Next Year
Despite the recent upgrades that cost $180 million and 10 years to complete, Fenway Park still has that feeling of an, old historic ball park; and that’s a good thing. It still has it’s charisma of the old, original wooden seats, the short right field corner, better known as Pesky’s Pole, and of course the historic Green Monster. Sure there are new high definition video boards in center field and most of the seats have been replaces over the last decade. But next April, the year 2012, Fewnay Park will be celebrating 100 years of baseball having been played at it.
It was no surprise in 2002 when Tom Werner, Larry Lucchino and John Henry bought the Red Sox, they made a pact to make the necessary upgrades to Fenway and have it reach the milestone. They also have plans to apply for a national historic monument and granted they receive it, Fenway Park will then live on forever, even if the Red Sox move to a new home in distant future.
To help celebrate this historic achievement, the Red Sox organization announced last week the start of the plans to honor Fenway’s birthday. Already up and running is a website devoted solely to the ball park www.fenwaypark100.com. It has pictures from the beginning in 1912 all through the years and right up to today. There is an option for fans to share stories and cherished memories of Fenway along with a “Personalities” portion that describes the vivid history of all Owners and General Managers who have come and gone through the Red Sox organization. It really is impressive when you look how much work has gone into the website and the fact that the celebration is still a year away. If you’re a history buff, this website is a must.
But to me, the most intriguing plans is the ability for the fans to own a piece of Fenway Park. Currently on sale are actual seats of Fenway Park that were removed from the right field stands, as part of the upgrades this past off season. You can buy two seats for $795, which is a little out of my price range. So instead, I am going to try and purchase a brick as part of the Fenway Park 100th Anniversary Brick Program. For just $250, you can buy a brick and have your name and personal message engraved on it. The bricks will be on display in the concourse inside Gate B or Gate C. The Red Sox organization will then ship a replica of your brick to you for home viewing pleasures. Truly a class act by a class act organization, who is taking care of their fans. Albeit, the best fans in the world.
So now I invite you to help me out. If I am fortunate enough to purchase a brick, other than my name, what personal message should I put on it?
And to think that this is just the start of the celebrations for old Fenway. Or should I say, young Fenway Park that’ll be turning 100 years…..young.
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