Today at Fenway Park the Boston Red Sox began their 109th baseball season. The opening ceremonies were wonderful with the Boston Pops and the Tanglewood Chorus performing a rousing National Anthem. This was followed by a fly over by the 104th Fighter Wing. In a unique twist all the Sox players were introduced while coming out of the stands high-fiving the fans. The ceremonial first pitch featured newly elected Hall of Famer and former Red Sox left-fielder Jim Rice and the inestimable Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The courage of this very brave man who is battling brain cancer is an inspiration.
Ted rode in from the outfield in a golf cart and then walked to the mound. That first pitch went from Senator Kennedy to Jim Rice and you just had to see it. Ted peered in as though looking for a sign from Rice. Then all smiles Senator Kennedy threw that first pitch. Just as back in 1912 his grandfather John ‘Honey Fitz’ Fitzgerald “Royal Rooter” and Mayor of Boston had thrown the very first pitch ever at the then new Fenway Park. Ted then joined family members including his wife, Vicky, his son Patrick and his niece Caroline to watch the game. All that remained was for the ageless Johnny Pesky to say, “Play Ball” and the season would begin.
Oh and the Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3. It could not have been scripted any better with Beckett’s great pitching performance striking out 10 and giving up only 1 run and 2 hits, homers from Petey and Tek and a save from Paps – good times
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