Red Sox to celebrate Independence Day and feature 75th Anniversary of Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech
BOSTON, MA - The Red Sox will celebrate Independence Day and commemorate the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's farewell speech to baseball - which took place at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939 - during ceremonies before the 1:35 p.m. game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 4.
The Red Sox will drape their giant American flag on the Green Monster, present music with patriotic themes, and honor Colonel Lester A. Weilacher, Commander of the 66th Air Base Group at nearby Hanscom Air Force Base, with a Ceremonial First Pitch.
With a focus on heightening awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the disease that took Lou Gehrig's life, the club will recognize patients battling ALS, and invite their children to say "Play Ball."
Opera-trained rock opera star Alexander Kariotis, who lost his brother to ALS, will perform the National Anthem. Wrentham, MA Little League Coach Tim Gemelli, who was diagnosed with ALS last October, will also throw a Ceremonial First Pitch then see his Little Leaguers, the Hockomocks, take the field with the Red Sox.
The ALS Association, ALS Therapy Development Institute, and Muscular Dystrophy Association will be recognized on the field.
The club will also present God Bless America during the 7th Inning Stretch. It will be performed by 16 year-old Cassie Jordan of Middleboro High School as part of Calling All Kids Month, presented by Hood.
Fenway Park gates will open at 12:05 p.m., 1 ½ hours before the game. Season Ticket Holders and Red Sox Nation members, however, may enter 2 ½ hours before the game at Gate C.