BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: A general view as the sun rises before the Opening Day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Major League Baseball season was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Light reflects off of the suite level as the sun rises before the Opening Day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Major League Baseball season was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Light reflects off of the suite level as the sun rises before the Opening Day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Major League Baseball season was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jonathan Lucroy #12 of the Boston Red Sox arrives before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonathan Lucroy
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Matt Hall #56 of the Boston Red Sox arrives on a scooter before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Hall
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox arrives before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andrew Benintendi
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox arrives before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** J.D. Martinez
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait as he wears a Black Lives Matter shirt before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Christian Vazquez
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait as he wears a Black Lives Matter shirt before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackie Bradley Jr.
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait as he wears a Black Lives Matter shirt before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Xander Bogaerts
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: A general view as starting lineups are introduced during the National Anthem ceremony before the Opening Day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jose Peraza #3 and Jonathan Arauz #36 of the Boston Red Sox walk onto the field before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonathan Arauz; Jose Peraza
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Michael Chavis #23 of the Boston Red Sox reacts before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Chavis
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, founder of The BASE Robert Lewis Jr., and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker throw out a ceremonial first pitch caught by Andrew Benintendi #16, Jackie Bradley Jr. #19, and Kevin Pillar #15 of the Boston Red Sox during a pre-game ceremony before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Charlie Baker; Marty Walsh; Robert Lewis Jr.; Andrew Benintendi; Jackie Bradley Jr.; Kevin Pillar
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jose Peraza #3, Jonathan Arauz #36, and Michael Chavis #23 of the Boston Red Sox pose for a photograph as they wear Black Lives Matter shirts before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jose Peraza; Jonathan Arauz; Michael Chavis
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox kneels during the National Anthem alongside Michael Chavis #23 during a pre-game ceremony before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackie Bradley Jr.; Michael Chavis
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jose Peraza #3, Rafael Devers #11, Michael Chavis #23, and Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox sit in the dugout before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jose Peraza; Rafael Devers; Michael Chavis; Xander Bogaerts
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox warms up in front of a Black Lives Matter Tarp during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackie Bradley Jr.
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Major League Baseball Black Lives Matter and United For Change patches are shown on a jersey during the Opening Day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during a Black Lives Matter and Players Alliance pre-game ceremony before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackie Bradley Jr.
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox high fives teammates after scoring during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackie Bradley Jr.
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox kneels during the National Anthem during a pre-game ceremony before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackie Bradley Jr.
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: A general view as starting lineups are introduced during the National Anthem ceremony before the Opening Day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Phillips Valdez #71 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after a victory during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phillips Valdez
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: The Black Lives Matter Major League Baseball logo is painted as a stencil on the pitchers mound during a pre-game ceremony before the Opening Day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Third base coach Carlos Febles of the Boston Red Sox kneels during the National Anthem during a pre-game ceremony before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carlos Febles
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox leaps out of the dugout during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackie Bradley Jr.
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a double during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** J.D. Martinez
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a single during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Xander Bogaerts
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: First base coach Tom Goodwin of the Boston Red Sox kneels during the National Anthem during a pre-game ceremony before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tom Goodwin
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox kneels during the National Anthem alongside Michael Chavis #23 during a pre-game ceremony before the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackie Bradley Jr.; Michael Chavis
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: Andrew Benintendi #16 reacts with Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox after a victory during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andrew Benintendi; Jackie Bradley Jr.
BOSTON, MA – JULY 24: A general view as the sun sets during the Opening Day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles on July 24, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
After an extended delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Boston Red Sox began their 2020 Major League Baseball campaign against the Baltimore Orioles on Opening Night at Fenway Park.
This was an absolutely wild day to be a part of from beginning to end. I was at the park at 5:15AM for the sunrise, and left at 12:45PM (with a brief nap in the morning).
A beautiful pre-game ceremony incorporated elements of the Black Lives Matter movement, and remember lives lost due to COVID-19.
I can’t remember an Opening Day so busy, which is unexpected given we are playing in front of an empty ballpark. Overall, I am tired, but very happy to be here, and feel lucky to have witnessed history yesterday.
