Red Sox to honor 1986 team ahead of today’s home opener at Fenway Park. What fans need to know
Nearly 25 players from that legendary team are expected to be in attendance.
Even with chilly temperatures , fans started lining up early at Fenway Park on Friday morning, bundled up but excited for the Boston Red Sox home opener against the San Diego Padres. One longtime fan told Boston 25 he’s been coming to Fenway for Opening Day for the past 25 years — and came prepared with a chair, heating pad, and plenty of blankets to brave the cold. Opening Day at Fenway also marks a special moment in Red Sox history.
The team is honoring the 40th anniversary of the club’s 1986 American League Championship team, a group that made it to the World Series before falling to the New York Mets in seven games — a series remembered as one of the most iconic and heart‑wrenching collapses in sports history. Nearly 25 players from that legendary team are expected to be in attendance, including Tony Armas, Marty Barrett, Wade Boggs, Oil Can Boyd, Mike Brown, Steve Crawford, Pat Dodson, Dwight Evans, Rich Gedman, Bruce Hurst, Rene Lachemann, Tim Lollar, Spike Owen, Jim Rice, Ed Romero, Joe Sambito, Dave Sax, Calvin Schiraldi, Jeff Sellers, Bob Stanley, Mike Stenhouse, Marc Sullivan, Mike Trujillo, and Rob Woodward. Before the game, both teams will be introduced along the baselines.
The colors will be presented by members of the Vermont Army National Guard and the Massachusetts Army and Air Force National Guard from Hanscom Air Force Base. The American flag, in use since 2002, will be draped over the Green Monster during the National Anthem, performed by Boston native and Broadway actor Nik Walker. Pre‑game ceremonies are scheduled to begin shortly before the 2:10 p.
m. first pitch. Fenway gates opened at 12:10 p.