Red Sox to celebrate Juneteenth at Fenway Park Sunday, June 18
BOSTON, MA - The Red Sox will celebrate Juneteenth at Fenway Park in pregame ceremonies before the 7:10 p.m. Red Sox-Yankees game this Sunday, June 18, and on Monday will participate in the grand opening of the Negro League Baseball Museum’s new exhibit at Emerson College, “Barrier Breakers: From Jackie to Pumpsie.”
Sunday’s Juneteenth ceremony at Fenway Park will include WWE Announcer Samantha Irvin singing both the National Anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing, a song that celebrates freedom and African American heritage. The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Ben “Boston Ben” Haith, creator of the Juneteenth Flag and Founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation.
Several Boston-based organizations that have worked to elevate Black voices and stories and who have advocated for social and economic equality will be recognized before the game, including 365Dad, Urban Heat 98.1FM, Museum of African American History, Bay State Banner, Economic Mobility Pathways Inc. The Urban League Eastern Massachusetts, Boston Arts and Music Soul Fest (BAMS Fest), and The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation.
Fans who ordered tickets through redsox.com/Juneteenth will receive a special jersey featuring Juneteenth colors, and access to a private pre-game social. Entertainment on Jersey Street will be performed by the band Abstract Rain.
On Monday, June 19, at 10 a.m., Red Sox officials will join the City of Boston, Meet Boston, the Boston Public Library, and Office of the Arts at Emerson College for the Grand Opening of a free exhibit from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, “Barrier Breakers: From Jackie to Pumpsie” at Emerson College located at 118 Boylston Street in Boston. “Barrier Breakers” shares the stories of players who integrated Major League Baseball teams, from Jackie Robinson joining the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 through to Elijah “Pumpsie” Green completing the integration cycle 12 years later with the Red Sox.
The exhibit will be on display from June 19 through August 4 at Emerson College, and available to the public seven days a week from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Groups looking to schedule a visit can call Meet Boston at (617) 867-8218.