|
|
Boston Red Sox Fenway Park
Fenway Park remains the oldest major league ballpark in
use. Home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912, Fenway Park still looks much
as it did when it opened. The Red Sox (1907-present), then called the
Somersets (1901-1902), and later renamed the Pilgrims (1903-1906), began
playing at Huntington Avenue Grounds in 1901. Because of possible fires,
and embarrassment to the team and the City of Boston, Red Sox owner John
Taylor decided to build a new ballpark to replace Huntington Avenue
Grounds. Construction of a new ballpark located in "The Fens" of Boston
began in September 1911. It took one year for the 27,000 seat ballpark to
be constructed. Named Fenway Park, built of steel and concrete, the
ballpark had only one level of seating. Wooden bleachers were located in
parts of left, right, and centerfield. The facade consisted of red brick.
Fenway Park opened on April 20, 1912. Original dimensions at Fenway Park
were 321 ft. (left), 488 ft. (center), and 314 ft. (right). An interesting
feature at Fenway Park was Duffy’s Cliff, a 10 foot embankment which was
in front of the left field fence until 1934. The 1920’s were not the best
of times at Fenway Park. First, Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees, and
then the team was sold. In 1926, the wooden bleachers along the left field
foul line burned, and were not rebuilt. However, better times came to
Fenway Park in the 1930’s. Thomas A. Yawkey bought the Red Sox in 1933.
Beginning in the fall of 1933, renovations began at Fenway Park. Duffy’s
Cliff was removed, wooden seats in right and center field were replaced by
concrete stands and the entire grandstand was enlarged. The seating
capacity increased from 27,642 to 33,817. The most significant feature
added to the ballpark was the 37 foot high wall in left field. The wall
was covered with advertisements, and at the base was a hand operated
scoreboard. A fire in January, 1934, destroyed most of the construction,
however the ballpark was ready when it reopened on April 17, 1934. Fenway
Park continued to undergo changes. In 1936, a 23 foot net was placed on
the wall in left field to prevent baseballs from breaking windows in
nearby shops. In 1940, bullpens were constructed directly behind the right
field wall. The "Green Monster" was created in 1947 when the
advertisements were removed from the left field wall, and it was painted
dark green. Night baseball at Fenway Park was first played in 1947. After
the 1975 season, a $1.3 million video/scoreboard was erected behind the
bleachers in centerfield, and the press box was enlarged, enclosed in
glass, and air-conditioned. Also after the 1975 season, the tin which made
up the "Green Monster" was replaced by a hard plastic surface. In the
1980’s luxury boxes were added where the press box was located, thus
moving the press box. Additional seating has been added along parts of the
rooftop, down each baseline creating a small upper deck consisting of
several rows. New teal and red seats were added as well. After the 2002
season, 250 bar style seats were added atop the Green Monster in left
field, giving fans a whole new view of Fenway Park. Additionally after the
2003 season the team added additional seats atop the roof in right field.
Today, Fenway Park along with Wrigley Field, are two of the last remaining
classic ballparks in baseball. In recent years, there has been talk of
renovating Fenway Park, or building a replacement which would be very
similar to today's Fenway Park. Current ownership of the Red Sox appears
to be committed to improving and renovating Fenway Park instead of
building a new ballpark.
|
|
Hey Webmasters! Get a free website with holiday themes - Get it NOW!
bravenet.com
