Opening Day Renews Our Love For Baseball And The Red Sox

For New England baseball fans, there is one day that we look forward to every year. After toughing out a long winter in New England, one of the first signs of spring for us is neither the return of the robins nor the sound of lawn mowers starting up in yards in your neighborhood.  It isn’t melting snow piles in the mall parking lots or the discarding of winter jackets.  It’s Opening Day for the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Continue reading “Opening Day Renews Our Love For Baseball And The Red Sox”

Our Latest Site Update

Welcome to FenwayFanatics.com, home to Boston Red Sox fans everywhere!  Since this site opened in 2004, we have continuously worked to improve not only the content but its look and feel.  To coincide with Opening Day in baseball as well as the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park, we have rolled out our most recent site changes.

The site is now fully supported by WordPress, the largest self-hosting and arguably the best blogging tool in the world; we believe that this will allow for better content control and easier site updates.  We have also made it easier for guests to leave comments using their Facebook accounts; we believe that this encourages more open dialogue versus the traditional blog comment section.

As always, we welcome your thoughts and comments and thank you for visiting FenwayFanatics.com… and go Sox!!!

Raffle Gives Baseball And Golf Fans Chance To Chip At Fenway Park

NORTON, MA — Golfers and Red Sox fans alike will have a unique opportunity to test their short games at historic Fenway Park later this month thanks to a “Chipping in for the Red Sox Foundation” event that will help kick off the Deutsche Bank Championship, the PGA TOUR Playoffs event being held 30 August through 05 September at TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts.

NORTON, MA — Golfers and Red Sox fans alike will have a unique opportunity to test their short games at historic Fenway Park later this month thanks to a “Chipping in for the Red Sox Foundation” event that will help kick off the Deutsche Bank Championship, the PGA TOUR Playoffs event being held 30 August through 05 September at TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts.

On Monday, 29 August, three lucky Grand Prize raffle winners will have the chance to join Red Sox legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Rice and step up to home plate at Fenway to chip a golf ball into the outfield. Anyone hitting a one-foot-diameter target in center field will win a $5,000 prize and the first to hit the target will generate a $50,000 donation to the Red Sox Foundation in the winner’s name.

Golfers and Red Sox fans hoping to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity can purchase raffle tickets for $25 each at http://www.redsox.com/golf. Raffle tickets will be on sale 05 August through 25 August, and the drawing is open to Massachusetts residents 18 and older. In addition, each raffle ticket purchased will include a ticket to the Deutsche Bank Championship’s Red Sox Legends & Friends Pro-Am, held Tuesday, 02 September at TPC Boston.

A limited number of tickets will be sold, and the drawing will be held 25 August at noon ET.

“We’re looking forward to once again starting Deutsche Bank Championship week with a fun and unique event that combines New England golf fans’ passion for golf and the Red Sox,” said Eric Baldwin, Championship Director of the Deutsche Bank Championship. “Moreover, we’re excited for the opportunity to drive charitable dollars to the Red Sox Foundation, as supporting local charities is a big part of what we do at the Championship.”

In addition to the three Grand Prizes to golf at Fenway, other raffle prizes include: a Red Sox Destinations Spring Training package; a package that includes four Green Monster tickets to an April 2012 Red Sox game, an opportunity to watch batting practice and a personalized scoreboard message; five 30-minute golf lessons at the Golf Town Academy, located at each of the 6 Golf Town stores in Massachusetts; a package that includes four grandstand tickets to a 2012 Red Sox game, an opportunity to watch batting practice and a personalized scoreboard message; and a Red Sox home jersey signed by Rice.

All proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Red Sox Foundation’s award-winning programs, including Red Sox Scholars, RBI youth baseball and softball and the Red Sox Foundation and MGH Home Base Program.

Aside from the three raffle winners, Rice, a Red Sox front-office executive and two randomly drawn participants from the Red Sox Legends & Friends Pro-Am will chip golf balls during the event, increasing the odds that someone will hit the target and secure a $50,000 donation to the Red Sox Foundation.

“The Red Sox Foundation is excited to partner with the Deutsche Bank Championship in bringing this unique golf moment to Fenway Park,” said Meg Vaillancourt, the Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation. “Red Sox Nation will be rooting hard for Hall of Famer Jim Rice and the raffle winners to hit the perfect chip shot. A $50,000 donation would go a long way to supporting our team charity’s Red Sox Scholars and RBI programs and our community’s wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with traumatic brain injuries and combat stress disorders.”

The event is part of the Deutsche Bank Red Sox & Friends Pro-Am draw party at Fenway Park, the first in a series of great events highlighting Deutsche Bank Championship week. The Deutsche Bank Championship opens on Tuesday, 30 August with practice and pro-am events on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Competition rounds begin Friday, 03 September and run through Labor Day Monday, 06 September, giving the Deutsche Bank Championship the only scheduled Monday finish on the PGA TOUR. The Championship features the top 100 players in this year’s PGA TOUR FedExCup standings.

About Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank is a leading global investment bank with a substantial private clients franchise. Its businesses are mutually reinforcing. A leader in Germany and Europe, the bank is continuously growing in North America, Asia and key emerging markets. With more than 100,000 employees in 73 countries, Deutsche Bank competes to be the leading global provider of financial solutions, creating lasting value for its clients, shareholders, people and the communities in which it operates.  For more, visit http://www.db.com.

About IMG

IMG Worldwide is a global sports, entertainment and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in China, Brazil and India; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academies; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing. More information is available at http://www.imgworld.com.

About the Red Sox Foundation

The official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Red Sox Foundation is committed to using the power of Red Sox Nation to support community partnerships that will improve the lives of children, adults and families across New England. The Foundation’s efforts are primarily focused on four cornerstone programs and the new Home Base Program. A 501c3 nonprofit, the Red Sox Foundation raises most of its funds through special events with Red Sox owners, players and their wives, donations and fundraising activities. Founded and initially funded by Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, President/CEO Larry Lucchino and their partners, the Red Sox Foundation has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and impact in the community, including the 2009 Patterson award for Sports Philanthropy, also known as the “Best Sports Charity” award given by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Sports Philanthropy Project. For more information about the Red Sox Foundation, please visit http://www.redsoxfoundation.org.

Boston Red Sox Star Pitcher Josh Beckett, Local Stars & Athletes Throw Strikes for Children at Fifth Annual Beckett Bowl

Boston Red Sox star pitcher Josh Beckett will throw strikes of a different kind on August 29, when he trades in his cleats for bowling shoes at his fifth-annual Beckett Bowl, a celebrity-studded bowling tournament at Lucky Strike Lanes in Boston benefiting Children’s Hospital Boston, the nation’s top pediatric hospital.

BOSTON — Boston Red Sox star pitcher Josh Beckett will throw strikes of a different kind on August 29, when he trades in his cleats for bowling shoes at his fifth-annual Beckett Bowl, a celebrity-studded bowling tournament at Lucky Strike Lanes in Boston benefiting Children’s Hospital Boston, the nation’s top pediatric hospital.

Beckett Bowl features an impressive lineup of athletes and celebrities joining local corporations and individuals who will bowl to raise funds for children in need. The roster of VIPs will include current and past Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, and New England Revolution players, along with actors, comedians, musicians and celebrity chefs with New England ties.

Local corporations and philanthropic individuals are invited to sponsor four-person bowling teams for the event. Each team will be joined by a celebrity teammate and will compete for unique prize packages. For information on sponsoring a team, please call 617.338.2766. A limited number of tickets to attend the event are available for $250 by emailing events@ammteam.com.

Beckett Bowl has continuously attracted some of Boston’s top professional athletes and celebrities, including Beckett’s Red Sox teammates Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Clay Buchholz, and Tim Wakefield; HBO’s Entourage star Adrian Grenier; performer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of legendary hip-hop trio Run DMC; stand-up comedian, actor, stuntman and performer Verne Troyer (aka “Mini-Me”); country music stars Pat Green and Jason Aldean; Boston Celtics 2008 Finals MVP Paul Pierce and teammate Glen “Big Baby” Davis; Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic of the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins; current and former New England Patriots Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Adalius Thomas and Steve Gostkowski; New England Revolution stars Matt Reis and Taylor Twellman; and many more.

“We’re thrilled by the tremendous support we’ve received from the local sports and business community,” said Beckett. “As a result of everyone’s tireless efforts, we’ve raised funds that have made a positive impact on the lives of kids served by Children’s Hospital Boston. This is something that’s close to my heart and a cause I truly believe in. Any time you can touch other people’s lives, your life ends up being touched just the same.”

The annual fundraiser is organized by The Josh Beckett Foundation, which supports community-based programs that improve the health and well-being of children, especially those who are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged. Since its inception, the Josh Beckett Foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Children’s Hospital Boston from the proceeds of the Beckett Bowl. Monies from these efforts facilitated the 2009 opening of The Josh Beckett Cancer Treatment Room at Children’s Hospital Boston which features a miniature Fenway Park scene, giving patients the opportunity to cherish a ballpark-like atmosphere.

“Thanks to the support and dedication of Josh Beckett and everyone at the Josh Beckett Foundation, Beckett Bowl has been throwing strikes for the nation’s top pediatric hospital since 2007,” said Children’s Hospital Boston CEO James Mandell, MD. “Support from generous individuals like Josh allows us to address the hospital’s most critical needs and essential programs including our cutting edge cancer care and research center.”

The Josh Beckett Foundation is also hosting the Beckett Bowl Ultimate Jeep Raffle presented by AFTER FX CUSTOMS, where fans will have a chance to win prizes including an authentic jersey autographed by Beckett and two “Monster Seat” tickets to the Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays game on September 17. One Grand Prize winner will drive away in a 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4-Door, fully customized by AFTER FX CUSTOMS, including: full JL audio sound system with Alpine DVD/navigation head unit, 20-inch KMC wheels with Nitto tires, multiple exterior upgrades, and much more. Winners will be drawn at Beckett Bowl.

Computer World, After FX Customs, Liberty Bay Credit Union, Reebok, Cooley LLP, ProPrint, Improper Bostonian, NESN-TV, and WAAF-FM among others, are working with the Foundation in support of Beckett Bowl.

About The Josh Beckett Foundation

The Josh Beckett Foundation is a charitable organization established in 2007 by Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett to support community-based programs that strive to improve the health and well-being of children, especially children that are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged. The Foundation provides Beckett with an opportunity to have a direct and permanent impact on the lives of children throughout New England.

About Children’s Hospital Boston

Children’s Hospital Boston is the nation’s top pediatric hospital, ranked first in more specialties than any other, and the only one in the top three for all 10 areas rated (US News and World Report Best Children’s Hospitals 2011). We’re number one in: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, kidney disease, orthopedics, and urology. Learn more at http://www.childrenshospital.org/usnews.

In 2009, Children’s Hospital Boston unveiled the Josh Beckett Cancer Treatment Room which features Boston Red Sox imagery including Beckett and his teammates, crowd scenes and the historic Fenway Park sign.

Contacts

Keith Gainsboro, Elevate Communications, 617-861-3650, keith@elevatecom.com
Colleen White, Elevate Communications, 617-861-3679, cwhite@elevatecom.com
Katie Largay Dean, Children’s Hospital Trust, 857-218-3193, Katie.dean@chtrust.org

Red Sox Prepare To Mark 100 Years At Fenway Park

Today, 20 April 2011, marks 99 years since the Red Sox officially opened Fenway Park with a 7-6, 11-inning victory over the New York Highlanders. With that in mind, the team officially announced plans to celebrate the park’s 100th anniversary next season with the unveiling of a new web site, fenwaypark100.com.

Today, 20 April 2011, marks 99 years since the Red Sox officially opened Fenway Park with a 7-6, 11-inning victory over the New York Highlanders.  With that in mind, the team officially announced plans to celebrate the park’s 100th anniversary next season with the unveiling of a new web site, fenwaypark100.com.  There, fans will be able to find a wide array of information, including a look at the park throughout the first 100 years, the features that make Fenway Park unique like the Pesky Pole and the Green Monster, and how to purchase bricks marked with personal messages that will be placed in the area of the concourse spanning from Gate B to Gate C.  In addition, fans young and old will have the opportunity to share stories and ideas to mark the anniversary.

From President and CEO Larry Lucchino:

“We have decided to take an affirmative and active and engaging approach to this whole thing and try to make this celebration of 100 years unique. In our mind, it deserves a fitting, a grand and an extended celebration.”

Boston Red Sox Pitchers Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz 2011 Jimmy Fund Co-Captains

The Jimmy Fund announces today that Red Sox Pitchers Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz have signed on again as the 2011 Jimmy Fund Co-Captains. First up: Spokesplayers for the 2011 Jimmy Fund’s Rally Against Cancer. Pitch in against the fight against cancer and learn how to win a visit from one of the players at RallyAgainstCancer.org.

BOSTON — Today, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund announce that Boston Red Sox pitchers Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz will continue as Jimmy Fund Co-Captains for the 2011 season. Their first assignment is to be this year’s Spokesplayers for the Jimmy Fund’s Rally Against Cancer.

Buchholz was the 2010 Rally Against Cancer spokesplayer in addition to being Jimmy Fund Co-Captain last year. Wakefield, a strong supporter of the Jimmy Fund for many years, was also a Co-Captain last year, and will be a Spokesplayer for the Rally Against Cancer for the first time this year. Wakefield and Buchholz join the ranks of past Rally Against Cancer Spokesplayers, including Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Trot Nixon.

As Jimmy Fund Co-Captains, the two pitchers will be ambassadors for the Jimmy Fund to raise awareness and build support for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. They will also lend their support to Jimmy Fund events, visit adult and pediatric clinics, thank donors, and more.

Now in its sixth year, Rally Against Cancer encourages Red Sox fans to partner with their companies and schools, and encourage co-workers, classmates, and friends, to each contribute $5 or more to the Jimmy Fund. In exchange, they “Dress for Sox-cess” by wearing Boston Red Sox gear to work or school on Friday, 08 April, when the Sox take on the New York Yankees at Fenway Park for their home opener. The top fundraising company and school (K-12, college or university) are each eligible for a visit from Wakefield or Buchholz, if located within two-hour travel distance from Boston.

This year’s event adds a new twist: up for grabs are two Wild Card visits. Each team that raises $5,000 or more is eligible to win one of two visits from Wakefield or Buchholz (see full contest rules at RallyAgainstCancer.org).

In five years, Rally Against Cancer has raised $1.9 million to support the fight against cancer at Dana-Farber. This year, the program hopes to raise $500,000. For more information about Rally, please visit www.RallyAgainstCancer.org.

The Jimmy Fund supports Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, helping to raise funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research and improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. It is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, as well as the official charity of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, and the Variety Children’s Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund (www.jimmyfund.org) save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer.

Boston Casting Seeking Die Hard Red Sox Fans for TV Commercial

Did you cry the day Johnny Damon went to the Yankees? Would you travel thousands of miles to see a Red Sox game? Would you go to Fenway Park no matter what the weather? Boston Casting is seeking DIE HARD Red Sox Fans for a television commercial. We want to know what makes you such a devoted fan!

Did you cry the day Johnny Damon went to the Yankees? Would you travel thousands of miles to see a Red Sox game? Would you go to Fenway Park no matter what the weather? Boston Casting is seeking DIE HARD Red Sox Fans for a television commercial. We want to know what makes you such a devoted fan!

Come to our Open Casting Call:

Date: Friday, June 18, 2010
Time: 5 pm – 8 pm
Location: Outside GAME ON
82 Lansdowne Street
Boston, MA 02215

Only DIE HARD FANS will be considered.

If chosen, you must be available Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20 for the shoot.

We look forward to seeing you! Go Red Sox!

Nomar Garciaparra to Retire as Red Sox Player Today

Is Nomar Garciaparra retiring?  Say it isn’t so.  At age 36, with several surgeries having limited his playing time in recent years, the last rock at the shortstop position in Boston is hanging up his uniform for good – maybe, maybe not – with a press conference this morning in Fort Myers.

The legendary Ted Williams touted “NO-mah” as the game’s next great player and he seemed destined for a Hall of Fame career.  First, he easily won Rookie of the Year honors in 1997, then followed that with a second-place finish in the MVP ballot in 1998 and two batting titles in two years (1999 and 2000).  Five times, he was named to the All-Star while with Boston, and he was often compared to other great shortstops of his time, including Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Miguel Tejada.

When Garciaparra returned as an Oakland Athletic last July to Fenway Park for the first time since being traded away in 2004, he received a lengthy standing ovation from an appreciative crowd, to which he tipped his cap and graciously clapped along with them.  It reminded us of the moment following a series-ending loss to Cleveland in the 1998 American League Division Series; as the Indians celebrated on the field by the visitor’s dugout, Garciaparra stepped back out from the Boston dugout, turned to the stands, and began clapping in genuine appreciation of the Red Sox fans that had followed the team all season and every season before then.

Boston is still searching for the answer at short while fans search for answers on why such a promising career ended too soon; some might say that Garciaparra is to this generation what Fred Lynn was to the last one and Tony Conigliaro was to the one before then.  Red Sox fans will always have a place in its collective heart reserved for Garciaparra, who gave all he had with the club for eight seasons, but we will always wonder what might have been for him.

Boston Red Sox Pitcher Clay Buchholz Rallies Against Cancer with the Jimmy Fund

Buchholz announced today as fifth spokesplayer for annual fundraiser

BOSTON – Today, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund announced that Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz is the fifth honorary Rally Against Cancer Spokesplayer. He joins the ranks of past Red Sox spokesplayers Jon Lester, Trot Nixon, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis.

Now in its fifth year, Rally Against Cancer encourages Red Sox fans to partner with their companies and schools, as well as their co-workers, classmates, and friends, to each contribute $5 or more to the Jimmy Fund. In exchange, they have the opportunity to wear Red Sox gear to work or school on Rally Day, Tuesday, April 6, when the Sox take on the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. The top fundraising company, school (K-12), and college or university are each eligible for a visit from Buchholz, if located within two-hour travel distance from Boston.

In four years, the Rally has raised $1.6 million in support of the fight against cancer at Dana-Farber. This year, the program hopes to raise $600,000. Buchholz will talk about his participation in the Rally at an upcoming press conference during spring training in Fort Myers, FL.

For more information about the Rally, please visit www.rallyagainstcancer.org.

Founded in 1948, the Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, supporting the fight against cancer at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, helping to raise the chances of survival for children and adults with cancer around the world. Unrestricted support from the Jimmy Fund is an integral part of Mission Possible: The Dana-Farber Campaign to Conquer Cancer, a $1 billion capital campaign to accelerate cancer research, speed development of lifesaving therapies, and expand the Institute’s signature patient and family-centered care.

Fenway Park Readies for Hockey on New Year’s Day

Baseballs, gloves, and bats will soon be traded in for pucks, pads, and sticks as Fenway Park readies to host the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers on New Year’s Day in the third installment of the National Hockey League’s Winter Classic.  Grounds crews have already installed a rink over the Fenway infield and the puck is set to drop 01 January at 1:00 PM.  After the success of last season’s installment at Chicago’s Wrigley Field between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks and the first Classic between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY in 2008, expectations are high in this match-up between two storied NHL franchises being played in the oldest active ballpark in baseball.

In addition, two NCAA college games will be played one week later.  The doubleheader features the first-ever NCAA women’s outdoor game between the University of New Hampshire Wildcats and the Northeastern University Huskies.  The other contest will feature the Boston College Eagles and the Boston University Terriers, the 2008 and 2009 NCAA Men’s Hockey Champions, respectively.