BOSTON, MA – With plans to mark One Boston Day and commemorate the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, the Red Sox will present their Opening Day ceremonies before the commencement of their 122nd home season, and their 111th at Fenway Park this Friday, April 15. Fans attending the game are asked to be in their seats by 1:30 p.m. to enjoy the ceremony. The club plays the Minnesota Twins at 2:10 p.m.
Before the game, the two teams will be introduced along the base lines. The giant American flag will be draped over the left field wall and presented by members of Hanscom Air Force Base and the Vermont National Guard. The national anthem will be performed by the Premiere Choir of Boston Children’s Chorus.
The longtime tradition of a flyover on Opening Day will be maintained with an MH-60T helicopter, a medium range search and rescue helicopter flown out of the United States Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod.
The singing of God Bless America in the middle of the 7th inning will be performed by Springfield native Michelle Brooks Thompson.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, all 30 Major League teams will wear Robinson’s number “42” in Dodgers blue on their jerseys tomorrow and a “42” patch on their uniform sleeves and caps.
To further enhance Fenway Park’s status as a Sensory Inclusive Certified venue, the Red Sox for the first time will offer closed captioning for all home games through the MLB Ballpark App. Fans wishing to use the service should select the Boston Red Sox as their team in the app and click on the Closed Captioning button. That selection will prompt a page where captions will auto-populate. In addition to the app, Closed Captioning will also be displayed on the outfield LED boards during all pregame ceremonies.
The Red Sox and Fenway Park require all fans to follow the club’s code of conduct. Fans who need assistance during games can contact the security hotline at 617-226-6411 or text the word SECURITY and a brief message to 23215.
Red Sox Opening Day, including the ceremony, will be broadcast live on NESN beginning with their pregame show at noon. WEEI’s Opening Day broadcast begins at 1:10 p.m.
Fenway Park gates open two hours before the game for all fans on Opening Day (12:10 p.m.) and 1 1/2 hours for all other regular season games.
Fans are encouraged to take public transportation to Fenway Park and should check the MBTA’s website for the latest service schedules.