Fenway: America’s Most Beloved Ballpark
On April 20, 2012 most of the Boston citizenry will be wearing something that designates them as the loyal Red Sox fans that they are. Tomorrow they will celebrate the centennial their beloved ballpark with a game against the New York Yankees. One hundred years ago on this date they played the New York Highlanders who would later become the Red Sox arch rivals–the New York Yankees. (In that first game, the Red Sox were victorious.)
Boston Red Sox fans love their ballpark. The fans have shown little interest in a state-of-the-art stadium; they remain loyal to Fenway. Built in 1912, Fenway is the oldest ballpark still in active use in the major leagues, and very little about it has changed since its opening day one hundred years ago.
Green Monster CONTINUE READING…
When the park was being revamped in the 1930s by then owner Tom Yawkey, a major fire broke out in the wooden structure near left field, and much was destroyed. To avert another similar disaster, the area was rebuilt in metal, creating what is now affectionately known as the Green Monster. (For many years, it was simply known as “the wall.”) The wall was originally just 25 feet high and separated Lansdowne Street from the outfield, but it was expanded to its current height of 37 feet in 1934 and painted green in 1947. The seats above the Green Monster were not added until 2003.
My grandfather was the quarterback for the University of Colorado in 1917. This photo hangs in our home and never ceases to catch the attention of today’s football fans. (He’s third from the right and his name is misspelled.) And yes, indeed. The garb for the game has changed!
The auto race known as the Indy 500 will celebrate its 100th anniversary on May 30, 2011. 
