RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
While the stadium was built in 1912, it was rebuilt in 1934. It is the oldest active ballpark in MLB. Because of its age and constrained location in Boston's dense Fenway–Kenmore neighborhood, the park has been renovated or expanded many times, resulting in quirky features including "The Triangle", Pesky's Pole, and the Green Monster in left field. It is the fifth-smallest among MLB ballparks by seating capacity, second-smallest by total capacity, and one of eight that cannot accommodate at least 40,000 spectators.
Fenway has hosted the World Series 11 times, with the Red Sox winning six of them and the Boston Braves winning one.[note 1] Besides baseball games, it has also been the site of many other sporting and cultural events including professional football games for the Boston Redskins, Boston Yanks, and the New England Patriots; concerts; soccer and hockey games (such as the 2010 NHL Winter Classic); and political and religious campaigns.
April 20, 2012, marked Fenway Park's centennial. On March 7 of that year, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Former pitcher Bill Lee has called Fenway Park "a shrine". It is a pending Boston Landmark, which will regulate any further changes to the park. The ballpark is considered to be one of the most well-known sports venues in the world and a symbol of Boston.
On September 7, 1959, the Boston Red Sox faced off against the New York Yankees in a daytime game at Fenway Park, a classic rivalry in the world of baseball. On the mound for the Yankees was Duke Maas, who had a respectable season record of 12-7, while the Red Sox countered with Jerry Casale, who was holding a 10-8 record. At this point in the season, the Yankees were in a tough fight for the American League pennant, while the Red Sox were playing the role of potential spoilers. The 1959 season was marked by the dominance of the Chicago White Sox in the American League, and the Yankees were trying to keep pace. Meanwhile, the Red Sox were trying to finish the season on a high note, despite being out of the playoff picture.
The game started off with a bang, as the Red Sox exploded for six runs in the second inning, including back-to-back home runs from Don Buddin and Jerry Casale. This early offensive surge set the tone for the rest of the game. The Yankees tried to respond in the third inning with a solo home run from Bob Cerv and a two-run shot from Mickey Mantle, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Red Sox's early lead. The Red Sox's offense was relentless throughout the game, with key hits from Pumpsie Green, Jackie Jensen, and Vic Wertz. On the pitching side, Casale managed to hold the Yankees to four runs over 6.1 innings, while reliever Mike Fornieles came in to close the game without allowing any more runs.
In the end, the Red Sox triumphed over the Yankees with a final score of 12-4. The Yankees' loss was a significant blow to their pennant race, as the Chicago White Sox would go on to win the American League and face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Despite their lack of postseason play, the Red Sox's victory in this game was a highlight of their season, showcasing their ability to compete with the top teams in the league. In the larger context of the 1959 season, this game was emblematic of the changing balance of power in the American League, with the White Sox's rise and the Yankees' struggle to maintain their dominance.
Leo Cloutier interviews Dick O'connell in this classic radio broadcast from 1970.
Richard Henry O'Connell (September...
Dick O'Connell VP of Boston Red Sox interviewed by Leo Cloutier - 1970 / Leo Cloutier interviews Dick O'connell in this classic radio broadcast from 1970.
Richard Henry O'Connell (September 19, 1914 – August 18, 2002) was an American front office executive in Major League Baseball. He was executive vice president of the Boston Red Sox from 1961 through 1977 and served as general manager of the team from September 16, 1965, through October 24, 1977, a period during which he played a pivotal role in restoring the Red Sox to contending status, won two American League pennants, and helped make the team a flagship MLB franchise.
On a crisp Saturday, September 2, 1967, the Chicago White Sox faced off against the...
Chicago White Sox vs Boston Red Sox - Radio Broadcast / On a crisp Saturday, September 2, 1967, the Chicago White Sox faced off against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. the White Sox were led by pitcher Joe Horlen, who was having a stellar season with a 14-6 record at the time. the Red Sox countered with their own star, Jim Lonborg, who was enjoying an 18-6 season. the 1967 season was a pivotal one for both teams, with the White Sox looking to improve their standing in the American League and the Red Sox in the midst of the "Impossible Dream" season, where they were making a strong push towards the World Series after finishing ninth the previous year. the league was buzzing with anticipation, as the Red Sox's Carl Yastrzemski was on track for a Triple Crown season, a feat not achieved since 1947.
the game started with a bang for the White Sox, who scored three runs in the first inning, led by Rocky Colavito's double that drove in two runs. the Red Sox defense, usually reliable, faltered in the first inning, leading to an early deficit. the Red Sox managed to get on the board in the fourth inning with a run driven in by Ken Harrelson, but the White Sox's pitching held them in check for the rest of the game. Horlen, in particular, was masterful, scattering six hits over nine innings while striking out four. the White Sox added an insurance run in the sixth inning, increasing their lead to 4-1.
As the game progressed, the White Sox maintained their lead, thanks to a strong performance from their bullpen. Boston's Lonborg was replaced by reliever Dan Osinski after seven innings, having given up four runs on nine hits. the White Sox's defense also stepped up, turning a key double play in the first inning to halt a potential Red Sox rally. the game ended with the White Sox victorious, 4-1, marking a significant win for the team in the late stages of the season.
In the broader context of the 1967 season, this game was a key moment. Despite the loss, the Red Sox would go on to win the American League pennant in a dramatic finish, famously known as the "Impossible Dream" season. They would eventually lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Yastrzemski would indeed secure the Triple Crown, leading the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, a bright spot in a season filled with highs and lows. Meanwhile, the White Sox would finish fourth in the American League, a respectable finish but short of their championship aspirations.
Ted Williams' last at-bat took place at Fenway Park in Boston on September 28, 1960,...
Ted Williams final at bat at Fenway Park / Ted Williams' last at-bat took place at Fenway Park in Boston on September 28, 1960, during the final game of his career. He hit a home run in his last plate appearance, and he refused to tip his cap to the cheering crowd as he left the field, an act of defiance that became a defining moment in his career.
