“The 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship Team greets fans as they are driven around Fenway Park in Duck Boats during a special pre-game ceremony Tuesday, September 25, 2012.” “Former Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar and pitcher Pedro Martinez takes part in a pre-game ceremony with the 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship Team Tuesday, September 25, 2012.” “Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Keith Foulke throws out the ceremonial first pitch as members of the 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship Team watch behind him during a special pre-game ceremony Tuesday, September 25, 2012.” “A Boston Red Sox logo cut in the center field grass at Fenway Park is shown Tuesday, September 25, 2012.”
We’ve reached the point of the season in Boston where the actual games themselves have become overshadowed in importance by other story lines going on. The Red Sox played their last two home games of the 2012 season this week, bringing a close to the 100th anniversary season at Fenway Park.
On Tuesday night, members of the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox team came back to Boston to greet fans. They were carted around the field in three Duck Tour boats, a throwback to the championship parade in Boston in 2004.
It was a pretty hectic event to shoot, but it was a lot of fun, and neat to see that incredible team all in one place!
“Fighter jets fly over Fenway Park during the 100th Year Anniversary ceremony Friday, April 20, 2012.”“Former Boston Red Sox left fielder and first baseman Carl Yastrzemski salutes the crowd after being introduced during Fenway Park’s 100th Year Annivesary ceremony Friday, April 20, 2012.”“Former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona salutes the crowd after being introduced during Fenway Park’s 100th Year Anniversary ceremony Friday, April 20, 2012.”“Former Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra salutes the crowd after being introduced during Fenway Park’s 100th Year Anniversary ceremony Friday, April 20, 2012.”“Former Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner salutes the crowd after being introduced during Fenway Park’s 100th Year Anniversary ceremony Friday, April 20, 2012.”“Former Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and pitcher Tim Wakefield escort Johnny Pesky and Bobby Doerr through the infield after being introduced during Fenway Park’s 100th Year Anniversary ceremony Friday, April 20, 2012.”“Former Boston Red Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn greets other alumni after being introduced during Fenway Park’s 100th Year Anniversary ceremony Friday, April 20, 2012.”“Boston Red Sox alumni salute the crowd after being introduced during Fenway Park’s 100th Year Anniversary ceremony Friday, April 20, 2012.”“Former Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar and former pitcher Pedro Martinez lead the crowd in a toast to break the record for World’s Largest Toast during Fenway Park’s 100th Year Anniversary ceremony Friday, April 20, 2012.”“Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buccholz throws the first pitch of the Fenway Park 100th Year Anniversary game against the New York Yankees Friday, April 20, 2012.”“Shadows creep across the Green Monster at Fenway Park during the 100th year Anniversary game against the New York Yankees Friday, April 20, 2012.”
Last Friday, Fenway Park celebrated it’s 100th Anniversary with an elaborate pre-game ceremony followed by a game against the New York Yankees. The game itself was quite anticlimactic, ending in a pretty bad loss for the Red Sox, but that was definitely overshadowed by the magnitude of the milestone this ballpark had reached.
I was honored to be a small part of the day, and I was thrilled to witness this important moment in baseball history. Johnny Pesky, Carl Yastrzemski, Bobby Doerr, Jim Rice, Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, and Terry Francona were just a few of the over 200 Boston Red Sox alumni from all generations that were on hand to celebrate at Fenway. What a sight.
I shot the pre-game ceremony from the first base photo pit, and had a blast. It’s easily one of my best memories from my time working in baseball.
And as chaotic and busy as the day was leading up to the ceremony, I learned a lot about the logistics of shooting big-time events like these. There’s lots of planning that goes into organizing a huge corral of pro photographers on hand, and being part of that planning process was a valuable experience for me.
There’s so much more I could say, but I think I’ll let the images do the talking. Click the photos to enlarge, if you’d like! And, check the Boston Red Sox Facebook Page to view their Timeline cover photo shot by yours truly.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this milestone, the ceremony, the recent Red Sox performance, these photos, or anything else!
