The Red Sox turn back the clock for an opportunity to watch some of our favorites take the field again.
Ever wonder what it would be like to see Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez take the mound at Fenway Park one last time? What about witnessing Wade Boggs hit an opposite field missile off the Green Monster?
Now you can.
The Boston Red Sox will host an alumni game at Fenway Park with some of the most beloved former players set to take the field. Head to Fenway on Sunday, May 27, to catch the first Red Sox alumni game in 25 years.
The three-inning alumni game will be at 10:30 a.m. ET before the Red Sox take on the Rays at 1:05 p.m. ET. Grabbing a beer at 10:30 may not be appetizing to everyone, but there’s plenty of eye candy on the field that will flash back some of the greatest moments in Red Sox history.
According to Darren Hartwell of NESN, the last alumni game on May 29,1993, consisted of Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice and Jim Lonborg. While the 1993 game had a star studded lineup, this year’s lineup is filled with personality.
With Dwight Evans and Luis Tiant as the managers for the two teams, here is the list of the 25 expected attendees:
"— Wade Boggs— Oil Can Boyd— Orlando Cabrera— Scott Cooper— Jim Corsi— Lenny DiNardo— Alan Embree— Rich Garces— Jonny Gomes— Mike Greenwell— Sam Horn— Chris Howard— Bill Lee— Darren Lewis— Steve Lomasney— Derek Lowe— Mike Lowell— Julio Lugo— Steve Lyons— Keith MacWhorter— Pedro Martinez— Lou Merloni— Rick Miller— Mike Myers— Troy O’Leary"
Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and Pedro Martinez headline the list, while solid additions like Troy O’Leary, Rich “El Guapo” Garces and Derek Lowe are all expected to be in attendance. It doesn’t hold a ton of star power, but there shouldn’t be a shortage of laughs with the charismatic personalities of Martinez, Gomes, Lyons, Lowell and Marloni.
However, there are some odd names on the list. Cabrera isn’t exactly a Red Sox legend, though he is a champion so it’s understandable, but what is Lenny DiNardo doing on this list? DiNardo had a 5.53 ERA in three seasons for the Red Sox, which questions DiNardo’s invitation to an alumni game.
The Red Sox couldn’t get Curt Schilling or even Mike Timlin to be apart of the game? They had to ask DiNardo?
Additionally, Lugo and Myers are suspect choices as well. Lugo had two and a half painful years at the plate for the Boston, while Myers pitched a total of 52 1/3 innings in two years for the Red Sox. Neither scream Red Sox alumni. Certainly there are other selections the Red Sox could’ve made?
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It isn’t a perfect roster that will take the field, but it’s a shame the game will only be three innings, as it would’ve been fun to see Martinez hurl a complete game shutout or Boggs hit for the cycle. Nonetheless, the gates will open at 10 a.m. to relive the glory days of these legends.