Nearly forty members of 2004 team to return for home opener ceremony April 9

By | April 8, 2024

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox will open their 124th home season, their 113th at Fenway Park, on Tuesday, April 9, before the 2:10 p.m. game against the Baltimore Orioles with ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of the 2004 World Series Championship and featuring close to 40 members of the championship team. The ceremonies will also honor the memory of members of the Red Sox who have passed, with special tributes to Red Sox Hall of Famer Tim Wakefield and his wife Stacy, and former Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 1:30 p.m. to enjoy the ceremonies.

Prior to pregame ceremonies, members of the 2004 Championship team will be presented with the “Reversed the Curse” sign by Governor Maura Healey, Mayor Michelle Wu, and DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo at the Hotel Commonwealth before boarding duck boats en route to Fenway Park. The sign from Storrow Drive was famously altered from “Reverse the Curse” to “Reversed the Curse” when the Red Sox won the World Series Championship, ending an 86-year drought.

In addition to the family of Tim and Stacy Wakefield, confirmed members attending the 2004 Championship team reunion include:

Jimmy Anderson

Bronson Arroyo

Jamie Brown

Orlando Cabrera

César Crespo

Johnny Damon

Brian Daubach

Lenny DiNardo

Keith Foulke

Terry Francona

Bill Haselman

Adam Hyzdu

Ron Jackson

Gabe Kapler

Curt Leskanic

Derek Lowe

Mark Malaska

Dave McCarty

Ramiro Mendoza

Doug Mientkiewicz

Kevin Millar

Brad Mills

Mike Myers

Trot Nixon

David Ortiz

Manny Ramirez

Calvin Reese

Phil Seibel

Earl Snyder

Dale Sveum

Mike Timlin

Jason Varitek

Dave Wallace

Scott Williamson

Kevin Youkilis

Before the game, the two teams will be introduced along the base lines, and with Hanscom Air Force Base presenting the colors, the national anthem will be performed by the Boston Fire Department Quartet and punctuated by a fly-over by two F-35’s from the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing Unit and one KC-46 from the New Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing.

In honor of former Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino and Red Sox Hall of Famer Tim Wakefield, “Play Ball” will be said by children from The Jimmy Fund and Franciscan Children’s Hospital.

All fans attending the game on April 9 will receive a special Wakefield commemorative pin as well as a 2024 season schedule magnet, presented by Gulf.

The Red Sox home opener, including the pregame ceremony, will be broadcast live on NESN beginning with their pregame show at 12:30 p.m. WEEI’s Opening Day broadcast begins at 1:10 p.m.

Fenway Park gates open two hours before the game for all fans on April 9 (12:10 p.m.), and 1 1/2 hours for all other regular season games. Fans are encouraged to take public transportation to Fenway Park and should check the MBTA’s website for the latest service schedules.

New Concession Offerings

Fenway Park concessionaire Aramark will debut new gameday offerings for the 2024 season:

The ballpark will feature expanded self-serve and self-checkout locations for both drinks and concessions. Smart self-checkout locations known as Fenway Favorites have been added in the Right Field Concourse and in the Bleachers in Center Field. The grab-and-go Walk Thru Bru express beer markets located throughout the ballpark will conveniently offer fans aged 21 and over a wide selection of beverages and a more seamless checkout experience.

Refreshed Spaces and Signage

The ballpark’s Pavilion Level located on the fourth and fifth floors are now called the Aura Pavilion as part of a new partnership with the Boston-based cyber-security company. The Aura Club, the Aura Pavilion Box, the Aura Pavilion Reserved, and the Aura Pavilion Suites are all located on these two levels.

On the field, signage between the fungo circles and coaches’ boxes will feature stenciling of the website Buildsubmarines.com, the result of a new partnership with Blue Forge Alliance, a government-funded agency charged with boosting manufacturing across the military’s submarine and shipbuilding industry.

The Mother’s Room located in the Big Concourse Family Restroom presented by F.W. Webb has been refreshed to provide a comfortable environment for families that need a respite during games including a new nursing couch, changing table, and a TV.

New this year, dedicated stroller parking, presented by Nuna, is available in the Big Concourse and on Jersey Street.

April Promotions at Fenway Park

In addition to the giveaways during the home opener, the month of April at Fenway Park will include three gate giveaways for the first 7,500 fans that enter the ballpark, a chance for kids to run the bases after the game on April 18, and 11 theme nights, all highlighted below:

April Giveaways

April Theme Nights

Tickets for April games, as well as details for each gate giveaway and theme night are available at redsox.com. Mastercard is the preferred payment method of the Boston Red Sox.

Fenway Park Ticket Programs for Kids and Students

The Red Sox Kid Nation program, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, returns this season and offers young fans exclusive ticket offers, prizes, and benefits, including an incentive program with “badges” that can be earned by participating in Kid Nation events, online STEM worksheets, and watching NESN Clubhouse. The free program for kids 14 and under includes a free kid’s ticket to a Red Sox game with the purchase of an adult ticket. Children can be signed up by visiting redsox.com/kidnation.

The club will continue to offer the popular student ticket program, Student9s presented by New England Honda Dealers, for high school and college students to purchase tickets for as low as $9 with a valid student ID. Young fans can register to receive alerts for this exclusive offer by visiting redsox.com/students.

More from MLB.com