BOSTON — 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.m., and fans were asked to be in their seats by 1:30 p.m.
Can’t make it in person? Live coverage begins at 12:00 p.m. on NESN and NESN 360, featuring a special two-hour pregame show with full coverage of the on-field ceremony.
Among the early arrivals was Mike Columbare, who says Opening Day is as much about tradition as it is baseball.
“Just hanging out… we have good friends coming. We don’t see each other for 364 days a year,” Columbare said.
While the Red Sox are off to a 1-5 start, Columbare is optimistic things will turn around quickly.
Asked about his hopes for the season, he added, “I think we get 17 wins in April. You get back on track — get to 90 wins.”
And a fun fact for fans observing Good Friday: back in 2004, the Archdiocese of Boston declined requests from fans asking for an exception to the no‑meat rule when Opening Day fell on Good Friday. That means fans craving a Fenway Frank will have to wait — at least until next year.
The good food news is that the ballpark’s concession stands have an array of new menu items available to fans this season, including lobster poutine and a spicy grilled cheese sandwich, among many other tasty options.
Temperatures are expected to warm up come first pitch, and the dreary skies will also clear.
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