It’s A Very Unique Week At Fenway Park; What You Need To Know

Recent concerts by Lana Del Rey and Hootie and the Blowfish kicked off the 2024 Fenway Concert series with a bang. Now, we have a unique week at Fenway Park ahead of us.

While much of it does revolve around the Red Sox coming back to Boston for a homestand, that's not all that is going on. The weather seems to be on our side this week (fingers crossed) as well. 

The Red Sox are on a hot streak. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games, including winning their first series of the year against the top AL East team, the first-place New York Yankees, and sweeping the Blue Jays in Toronto. 

Now, the Red Sox will welcome in the Blue Jays for three games and begin what will be a fun week on Lansdowne St. 

Starting on Tuesday, June 25, we will to see a wide range of brands integrate with the MLB stadium experience. To coincide with game two vs. the Blue Jays, the Red Sox will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty.

"Everybody say Hello Kitty and join us for an evening of fun and friendship! Ticket holders who purchase through this special offer will receive a limited-edition Hello Kitty bobblehead wearing a Red Sox jersey with her 50th Anniversary logo," the Red Sox say. At certain stadium gates, Hello Kitty will also be available for photos.

The next night, Wednesday, June 26, the park will hold "Big Al's Takeover," as part of the the series finale vs. Toronto. You may recall Lansdowne street being packed in early November of 2023, with "Daddy Gang" fans heading to MGM Music Hall. This was to see Call Her Daddy podcast host, Alex Cooper live on her Unwell Tour. Seven months later, Cooper (Big Al) is back.

Cooper will throw out the first pitch and has created a custom jersey for fans to score as part of the experience. You can see the graphic that contains a drawing of Cooper adjacent to the Green Monster on the back here.

Two weeks ago, in a video to promote the event, Cooper encouraged fans to come party with her at Fenway. Cooper is from Pennsylvania and films in West Hollywood, yet like many other markets, she draws a ton of fans in Boston.

Lastly, how about we discuss some baseball at Fenway. For the first time since 2013, the San Diego Padres will come to town. Closing out the week the Padres will face the Red Sox for a three-game series starting Friday night. This interleague matchup finds two opposite coast teams that rarely play each other and are both currently sitting in the middle of their division.

There is hope that the Padres biggest star Fernando Tatis Jr. will be recovered from his arm injury after being hit by a pitch.

Boston Red Sox left fielder Alex Verdugo wears number 99. Closer Kenley Jansen wears number 74. At first glance, you may think these are not typical baseball uniform numbers. The organization has 11 options that are immediately unavailable. The Red Sox retired numbers include 10 players that are forever Yawkey Way legends, and one player who is forever a MLB legend.

The Red Sox first retired a uniform number in 1984. It was #4 which belonged to Joe Cronin, who spent 48 years in baseball. The nod was to honor the fact that Cronin was a player, manager, and executive with Boston. Five days later (May 29, 1984) the Red Sox retired Ted Williams' #9. It would be four years until another number was retired with Bobby Doerr.

In April of 1997 all of Major League Baseball retired #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson.

Walking into Fenway Park you will see banners draped along the outside walls of the stadium honoring each player who has their number retired. You will also see them displayed high above right field inside the park, complimenting the Pesky pole.

So, if you are catching a game this year and wondering why a starting pitcher like Nick Pivetta is sporting #37, it's important to know what his options were to select from. Here are the Red Sox retired numbers.