Sox to honor Wakefield, '04 Series champs at home opener

No. 49 patch will be worn on player sleeves throughout the 2024 season

March 18th, 2024

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today announced that the 20th Anniversary of the 2004 Championship team will be celebrated during pregame ceremonies before Fenway Park’s home opener at 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, against the Baltimore Orioles. In addition to marking the milestone anniversary, the ceremony will include a special tribute honoring the life, legacy, and community impact of Red Sox Hall of Famer and his wife, Stacy.

All members of the 2004 team are invited to the ceremony and participants will be announced before the home opener.

In addition to the tribute during pregame ceremonies, Wakefield’s number 49 will be worn by players on their jersey sleeve throughout the season. The commemorative navy patch is shaped like a heart, a nod to Wakefield’s role as Honorary Chairman of the Red Sox Foundation, with his number 49 featured in red at the center. Later this season, the commemorative patch will be available for purchase at the Red Sox Team Store on Jersey Street, with proceeds benefitting the Red Sox Foundation, whose mission was championed by the former knuckleballer.

All fans attending the home opener will receive a special Wakefield memento in the form of navy blue, heart shaped pin featuring his jersey number in red.

In addition to the anniversary celebration and tribute to Wakefield, the Fenway Park home opener will also include familiar, time-honored elements with the two teams introduced along the base lines, the American flag draped over the left field wall, and a flyover provided by the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158FW (Fighter Wing) Unit.

Tickets to Fenway Park’s home opener are available by visiting redsox.com/homeopener. Mastercard is the preferred payment of the Boston Red Sox.