Fenway Park Opening Day 2008

FINALLY! The Boston Red Sox players had a glimpse of the newly redesigned Fenway Park on Monday and they loved it. There were actually higher ceilings in the clubhouse! And today, Tuesday, April 8th marks the first home game of the season. Here is a schedule of the events leading up to the 2:05pm EDT first pitch. The entire ring award ceremony and game will be broadcast on NESN and NESN HD beginning at 1pm EDT. This is from the Boston Globe...

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"Time: The gates will open earlier than usual, 2 ½ hours before game time, at 11:35 a.m. The Red Sox will take batting practice from 11 a.m. until noon with the Tigers’ batting practice scheduled from noon until 12:45 p.m. Fans are instructed to take their seats by 1 p.m. to enjoy the ceremonies before the start of the game at 2:05 pm.

Pre-Game Ceremonies: The Red Sox have planned for some special pregame ceremonies to celebrate the 2007 world championship season. The ceremonies will commence with a parade of flags belonging to 62 nations on the warning track by the Green Monster. The nations represented by these flags either count Red Sox Nation members as its residents or have citizens who have been in touch with the Red Sox front offices via letters and emails professing their love for the Olde Towne Team. In addition to the players receiving their World Series rings, championship banners will be unfurled on the Green Monster and the 2007 World Series pennant will be hoisted by the team on the center-field flag pole. The Boston Symphony, the epitome of Boston’s musical culture, will be an integral part of the Opening Day ceremonies by performing the national anthem and by providing musical accompaniment to the entire ceremony."

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Peter here, and that's just about everything you'll need to know about the Fenway festivities. The weather will be cool, so bring a jacket or a sweater. You might not need it if you're sitting in the sunlight, but bring it just in case. When the game does begin at 2:05pm EDT, the starting pitchers will be Kenny "the bully" Rogers and Daisuke Matsuzaka. Detroit is winless at 0-6 but will not be for long. The Red Sox have lost three straight and are 3-4. Another good start by Daisuke would be a much needed shot in the arm, and whenever that punk (and that's EXACTLY what he is) Rogers loses, I'm a happy guy.

Click on the title of this post for an article from the Boston Herald detailing the Tuesday afternoon Fenway fun. And as always, be safe. I hope you get to be there, or at least watch. Set your DVRs, if needed. Have fun!