Fenway Park: Eight things you didn’t know
Sep 10, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park during the seventh inning of the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Fenway Park is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most historic ballparks in all of Major League Baseball. What makes Fenway so special?… The atmosphere, the team, the history, you name it.
But there’s more to Fenway than you know…
Next: First game at Fenway goes to extras
The Red Sox played their first ever game at Fenway Park on April 20th, 1912 (yes, almost 103 years ago). After 11 innings, the Red Sox defeated the New York Highlanders (who would later become the Yankees) by a final score of 7-6. However, this was not the first game ever played at Fenway, since the Red Sox had taken on Harvard College in an exhibition game on April 9th. The game took place after two rain delays, and would have been front-page news, had the Titanic not sunk just days before.
Next: The Green Monster has... Morse Code?
Sep 4, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; The score board in the Green Monster after the Boston Red Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers 20-4 at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The scoreboard on the Green Monster contains Morse Code of the initials of Tom and Jean Yawkey.
Next: The Not-So-Green Monster
The Green Monster wasn’t always green. Prior to 1947, the Monster was painted blue, with white advertisements.
Next: Death at Fenway! (A bird that is)
In 1974, Willie Horton, who played for the Detroit Tigers, hit a foul ball that struck (and killed) a bird.
Next: More than just baseball at Fenway
Fenway Park has played host to more than just baseball teams. In 2010, the Boston Bruins took on the Philadelphia Flyers in the “NHL Winter Classic” (and rumor has it that the winter Classic may return to Boston in 2015!). Fenway will also play host to Boston College and Notre Dame’s football teams in 2015, which will mark the first football game at Fenway since 1968!
Next: Hills in Left Field
Left field used to contain a steep, 10 foot embankment, where fans were allowed to sit. The ledge was nicknamed “Duffy’s Cliff”, since former Red Sox Duffy Lewis was so skilled at playing balls at the ledge.
Next: Why is Fenway shaped so strangely?
Many people believe that Fenway is so strangely shaped to tempt home run hitters, but that’s not the case! The ballpark’s wacky dimensions were actually designed to keep non-paying customers out of the park!
Next: Fire at Fenway!
In May of 1926, three fires burned down the left bleachers at Fenway. John Quinn, the owner at the time, simply removed the charred remains from the park, opting not to rebuild. In 1933, when Tom Yawkey bought the team, he began a huge renovation of the ballpark. However, that renovation was violently forced to stop in 1934, when yet another fire swept through Fenway, damaging most of the park.