For the past two years, Connecticut College has been busy preparing for and celebrating the centennial year. Since most of Conn’s students are from the New England area, there is another centennial birthday that must be applauded: Fenway Park. Home to the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park has served as the home ballpark for the team since it opened in 1912. Whether or not you are a Red Sox fan, you know that there is something special about this well-decorated stadium. Coined
“America’s Most Beloved Ballpark,” it is also one the most well-known sports venues in the world. Fenway is currently the oldest venue being used by a sports team, and it is also just one of two “classic” ballparks in use, next to the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field.
As baseball has expanded and as the Red Sox have gained popularity, there have been many talks about moving the stadium out of the densely-populated Kenmore area. Fans did not take this news whole-heartedly, as demolishing Fenway would be like demolishing some type of holy land. However, instead of replacing history, the organization decided to simply renovate. In 2011, after $285 million worth of improvements, team President Larry Lucchino announced that
all renovations were complete. With forty to fifty years left in its structure, Fenway Park has a long future ahead.
While it is exciting to think about what is next, the centennial year prompts us to commemorate where it all began. Ground broke in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood in September 1911, right around the time Conn was opening its doors to a league of women. Created by owner John I. Taylor, the park was partially created by filling in marshlands, or “fens,” an early indication of its namesake. Built on an asymmetrical block, the field was consequently designed with asymmetrical dimensions, with the short right field dimensions making Fenway a well-known “hitter’s ballpark.”
The first game was played April 20, 1912, with John F. Kennedy’s grandfather, John F. Fitzgerald, throwing out the first pitch. The Red Sox defeated the New York Highlanders (renamed the Yankees the following year) in what was probably
the win that started the unprecedented rival that still exists today. Unfortunately, the opening day did not get much coverage because the Titanic had sunk a few days prior. Despite the lack of press, the team survived.
When you think of Fenway Park, there are many features that come to mind. Part of the original construction of the ballpark in 1912, the original wood wall was covered in concrete when the scoreboard was added in 1934. To date, the
scoreboard is still manually updated through innings. Most people might remember this for that time Manny Ramirez casually went inside of the so called Green Monster during aninning to use the bathroom, only to realize the inning had
resumed without him.
Another well-known area is “The Triangle” out in center field, with the top of the triangle being the deepest point in the park. The triangle is known for producing some horrible ricochets that end up in left-field and completely out of the reach of Jacoby Ellsbury– that is, if he hasn’t laid out to make the catch. Pesky’s pole, the right field foul line, is another important venue landmark. Despite popular belief, homeruns in this area are relatively rare. The pole was named after one-time shortstop and coach Johnny Pesky, who still graciously attends all home games. For many Red Sox fans, Fenway Park has grown to become a favorite place. There is something about the atmosphere that just puts you in a good mood– and as long as the Sox win, that mood usually resonates.Even if you root for some other team, Fenway Park is definitely a place to watch a summer baseball game. The park has sold out a record-setting 631 consecutive games: even if the Sox aren’t winning, there is reason to visit this amazing place. On March 7, 2012, Fenway was be added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Despite the uncertainty of the success the Red Sox will find this year, there is reason to celebrate. On April 20, 2012, I will sit in the stands of Fenway Park, 100 years after something amazing began. I am expecting Jerry Remy and
Don Orsillo to be more nostalgic than ever, Sweet Caroline to be sang more loudly than ever and Red Sox Nation to be more proud than ever. Tune in April 20th to say “Cheers to 100 Years” to another great establishment. And for everyone who lives right outside of Boston, the birthday of Fenway Park is even more of a reason to say “Boston, You’re My Home.”
