Harvard University Baseball Team to Commemorate First Exhibition Game at Fenway Park Today
Mayor Menino Gets First Look at New Lounge Exhibition Space, Displays and Plaques During Annual Pre-opening Tour of Fenway Park
BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today launched the April celebration of Fenway Park's 100th anniversary by marking the first game to ever take place at the 100 year-old ballpark. The Harvard University baseball team will help commemorate the exhibition game between the Red Sox and Harvard on April 9, 1912 by taking batting practice and working out on the field where Harvard students played exactly 100 years ago today.
“Harvard baseball is thrilled to be included in the birthday celebration at Fenway Park,” said Harvard baseball coach Joe Walsh. “Our guys look forward to any chance to set foot on a Major League Baseball diamond – in this case a batting practice session where many will take aim at the Green Monster. These are special moments that all young baseball players dream about and Harvard has been fortunate to have these opportunities every few years.”
Harvard and Red Sox alum, Mike Stenhouse, will be pitching to the Crimson during today’s batting practice. Stenhouse spent his final season in the big leagues with the American League Champion Red Sox in 1986. Stenhouse is one of only two players to don the Red Sox and Harvard uniforms, along with infielder Tony Lupien, who played for Boston in the early 1940s.
Additionally, Mayor Thomas M. Menino today conducted his annual tour of Fenway Park, getting the first look at the new exhibit spaces, historical displays and plaques, all part of "Fenway Park: A Living Museum." As part of the tour, Menino’s first stop were the 18,500 newly laid bricks inside Gate B and C that sold out last season and bear messages from fans across Red Sox Nation. The team is now keeping a waiting list for fans interested in purchasing bricks in the future. Menino also toured the newly designed Royal Rooters Club & Home of the Nation's Archives, the new 6,000 square-foot club that will serve as a gathering place for season ticket holders on game days, and double as the home to Fenway Park's most precious artifacts, memorabilia and Fenway’s historical photographs. The archives will be open to the public as part of a revamped 100th anniversary tour program.
“As a lifelong Red Sox fan, Fenway holds a special place in my heart, as I’m sure it does for every Bostonian,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “You feel different stepping into Fenway than you do walking into other parks. It’s like you’re stepping back in time to Carlton Fisk waving the ball fair and Dave Roberts stealing second. I want to congratulate Fenway on 100 wonderful years, and I look forward to the next chapters in its story.”
Menino completed his tour of the ballpark by sampling some of the new fare from Fenway Park's concessionaire, Aramark. The Boston Mayor sampled a variety of new offerings, which included Kickin’ Chicken Nachos, Sweet Potato Fries, Cape Cod Style Clams, and Gluten Free Pizza. Menino also stopped at Fenway Park’s new food truck, "The Taste of Fenway," that will be parked on Yawkey Way on game days and will serve Fenway Franks, Italian sausage, and lobster rolls.