Local

Boston Fiedler sculpture adorned with giant Red Sox hat

(Image courtesy of the Esplanade Association)

BOSTON — Even the late conductor of the Boston Pops is celebrating the Boston Red Sox victory over the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series.

The nonprofit Esplanade Association and a local knitwear company Sh*t That I Knit teamed up to create a giant Red Sox beanie to perch atop a sculpture of Arthur Fiedler's head along the Charles River.

The statue honors Fiedler for helping bring outdoor music to the Esplanade. It's located not far from the Hatch Shell Oval.

Michael Nichols, executive director of the association, says the hat -- which measures 17 feet in circumference -- links two great Boston traditions.

"We are proud to celebrate the Red Sox and send our wishes for a deep playoff run by linking the two traditions with an homage as grand as Arthur Fiedler's legacy," he said.

Christina Pardy, owner of the knitwear company, says it's the largest hat she's ever created and took 24 hours of work to complete.

"As a Boston-based company, we're very excited to partner with the Esplanade Association and root for the Sox," she said. "This was a really fun, creative project."

Alex Cora sticking with David Price as starter in Game 2 of ALCS vs. Astros
Chris Sale comes up big in series clincher
Red Sox win Game 4 over Yankees 4-3, advance to ALCS

"My father was a Red Sox fan and I often joined him at Fenway Park for games. I'm sure he would approve of the donning of a Red Sox hat, especially this year," said Peter Fiedler, son of the legendary Boston Pops conductor.

Arthur Fiedler died in 1979.

The Red Sox open the AL Championship Series Saturday against the Houston Astros.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)