L E’s Stories – Fenway Park Celebrates Her 100th Birthday As The 1ST Constant In MLB Baseball

Now I want to tell all you HUMANS who read this….that Bone Daddy will probably never forgive me for writing about this subject….cuz he hates the Red Sox….as his Yankees are their arch rivals….and I’m here to tell you that they have been arch rivals since today’s subject story first opened her gates…. Fenway  Park ….the home of the Boston Red Sox….and on this day of celebration for being the 1st MLB ballpark to turn 100 year old…..for on this day of April 20, 2012 was a day of celebration when the fans

get to see all the Red Sox players from the past who are all getting older….but Fenway looks better than ever….and although Bone Daddy probably won’t give me any bones for a week after he reads this post, however ….on the other paw….”I’ve kinda always been one to beg forgiveness instead of ask for permission”. This video that is below provides a wonderful walk down memory lane….and for any baseball fan who ever saw a game at Fenway Park….saw exactly what the camera in this video saw…. for this was a ballpark of unique character and dimensions…..which captures the lure of such a great sports cathedral.  In my humble lil ole Chiweenie Sportsphile’s opinion….it is my sincere hope and desire that Fenway Park remains in the game of baseball for another century….as we only have a mere 92 years to go to reach that goal.                                                                                                                                                                

                MLB – 1912 To Present – Special – Welcome To Fenway Park: A Walk Down Memory Lane

                                                                                                                                                                                      It was interesting while watching Bone Daddy’s honest emotional responses throughout the ceremony surrounding this historic event celebrating Boston’s Fenway Park 100^th Birthday….and seeing the tears run down his face….followed by deep seated happy OOOOOHHHH’s coming from his gut as he watched the ceremony.  Since I know the big guy so well….coupled with the fact that all dogs have a basic undergraduate degree in HUMAN psychology….of which we Chiweenie’s are the some of the best at understanding the traits that are specifically unique in HUMANS….cuz we dogs specialize in unique.  I know that those emotions BD honestly displayed came from memories that surfaced from within him of the days when Los Tres Hermanos (Lil Wally, Bone Daddy and Runt) and Pops (three boys Dad) had shared that came from the joy of loving….playing…. watching…. and being a fan of baseball…..and even though the event was a tribute to home field of his arch rivals….it was the love of times spent doing baseball things that brought out emotions sincere.  So, here’s my salute to Fenway Park….you stand alone at the top on this day in year 2012 as MLB’s 1st centurion stadium.                                                           

                                          MLB & Music – 1942 To 1952 – Special Musical Photo Tribute                                                                          To The Life And Career Of Boston Red Sox Legend Johnny Pesky                                                                              With A Special Rendition Of Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Oh yeah….I almost forgot that since BD hates the Red Sox….I decided to put lots of photos within this story about Fenway Park….along with a plethora of Red Sox videos from our collection …. as I feel compelled to piss him off as much as possible…. while pleasing as many of Red Sox Nation who reads this tribute to their home park….but make no mistake….if any of them were here right now….I promise I would bite each and every one of them ”cuz I just love dang Red Sox heals and ankles!!!  Can you say devilish bitch?  However, the fact remains that we have some really good Boston Red Sox video clips in our library here at ImaSportsphile….so in honor of the 100 year celebration at Fenway Park….I am posting this video of NBC Sports Bob Costas going to Boston’s legendary Cheers Bar to interview ex-Red Sox pitcher Sam Malone and his staff prior to Game 1 of the 1986 World Series between the Boston Red Sox verses the New York Mets.                                                                                                                                                      

                           MLB & Comedy – 1986 – NBCs Bob Costas Joins The Crew At “Cheers Bar”                                                                            For An Interview With Ex-Red Sox P Sam Malone

                                                                                                                                                                                    It was April 20, 2012 and I had spent the afternoon sitting next to BD as he watched the pregame ceremonies for the 1^st meeting between his beloved New York Yankees verses his arch rival Boston Red Sox on opening day of the 2012 MLB season….when one hour before the game started, MLB Network covered the 100^th birthday celebration of Boston’s Fenway Park….which had opened its doors for the first time exactly 100 years ago on April 20, 1912….for the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Highlanders….who became the New York Yankees the following year in 1913.                                                                 

 

                    When Fenway Park was built….it was specifically designed to fit into a confined property in the middle of town….so they built the stadium to fit the unique dimensions of the property….and what resulted was a ballpark that has many unique nooks and crannies that are not found at other ballparks….so changing Fenway would be like straightening the leaning Tower of Pizza….as this was a place where the wall in left field masquerades as another player for the Red Sox….as the famous 37 ft. high Green Monster looms largely during dang near every game played in this fabled park….when it robs many visiting players of many home runs…..while providing a significant plus to the home team Red Sox….whose outfielders in left and center field know to play the balls that kareem off its forever looming wall.                                                                                                

                   MLB – 2012 – Special – Live Telecast Of Fenway Park’s 100th Anniversary Celebration                                                     With All Ex-Red Sox Being Introduced While Taking Their Positions

                                                                                                                                                                            During this continuing saga of celebrating Fenway Park’s hosting of the heated rivalry known for a century now as The Yankees vs. The Red Sox….the part that Bone Daddy really enjoyed were the historical facts surrounding the whole day….which were really pretty cool….as it makes me think about stories….and pictures….and videos that I can use to show how life was then….and how it is now….should be interesting….anyway  here are the facts of the day as follows:

*** April 1812 – Star Spangled Banner was written                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  *** April 1912 – Fenway Park Opening Day – Boston Red Sox vs NY Highlanders (future Yanks)                                                                                                                                                                                                  *** April 2012 –  Fenway Park 100 Yr Celebration Day – Boston Red Sox vs NY Yankees                                                                                                                                                                                                                    *** The game in 1912 took 3 hrs 21 minutes to play                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  *** The game in 2012 took 3 hrs 19 minutes 

*** 921 games between the Red Sox and Yankees have been played since with Boston winning 459 and                           Yankees winning 457 with 4 ties due to darkness, when baseball had no lights                                                                                                                                                                                                            *** Fenway Park cost $650,000 to build.

*** In 1912 average ticket cost $0.50

*** In 2012 average ticket price $53.38

*** In 1912 average income in US was $1,000/year

*** In 2012 average income $47,000

*** In 1912 the population of US was 95.3 million

*** In 2012 US population 313.4 million

*** In 1912 a gallon of gas cost $0.07

*** In 2012 a gallon of gas cost $3.84

*** In 1912 the average big league player salary $3,000

*** In 2012 average player salary $3.1 million                                                                                                           

                   MLB & Music – 2012 –  Highlights Of Fenway Park’s 100th Anniversary Celebration                                                               With Music By John Williams & The Boston Pops

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              DOG ASIDE:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The average player salary was $3,100,000 per year in 2012….cuz you’ve got to be kidding me….for just a mere 8 years later….the average annual salary for MLB players is $4,360,000….and the only way that happens is because of the billions of dollars that are generated by the TV contracts of all the professional sports….might be $200 billion by now with all sports combined world wide….maybe more.  But pure and simple….the advertising dollars generated by sports broadcasting today is the goose that laid the golden egg….but as you will read in my Dog Commentary…..cuz as “the goose continues to grow…..so does the goose eater”….which I will explain that for you later.  In my opinion as a Sportsphile….”it may be the gander that destroys the goose that lays the golden eggs”. Any way that you cut the pie….the exhorbitant salaries is all about MONEY….and if you follow the MONEY….you will see what I mean. 

In the following video, which is an excerpt from a 1985 Stroh’s Beer Circle of Sports program hosted by actor Robert Conrad….wherein he pays tribute to the Boston Red Sox home field at Fenway Park…..and the iconic cathedral which has now seen 108 years of Red Sox baseball.                                                            

                                                 MLB – 1985 – Special – Stroh’s Beer Circle Of Sports                                                                               Featuring Robert Conrad’s Tribute To Boston Red Sox Fenway Park

                                                                                                                                                                                  The 100 year celebration at Fenway kicked off with an introductory procession of every living player (well almost everyone) who had ever donned a Red Sox uniform….no matter how long they wore that uniform….as each prior player came one by one out from the left field Green Monster wall….right next to the famous hand operated scoreboard where “Manny being Manny” darted into during a pitching change at Fenway to drain his lilly….getting some relief of his own while his relief pitcher warmed up.  Now isn’t it just like a dog to remember that little fact in the history of this stadium.                                                             

                                       MLB – 1939 To 1960 – Special – Boston Red Sox LF Ted Williams                                                                                              The Legend Who Batted 0.406 In 1941

                                                                                                                                                                                What Bone Daddy really liked about the procession of prior players was that none of the players were introduced by name….as they simply walked out from under the Green Monster….and walked to the position that they played….but the minute each unnamed player came out from the wall….Red Sox Nation knew exactly who that player was….no matter how old that player might be….for there was Carl Yastrzemski , Bobby Doerr, Johnny Pesky (we dogs appreciate Johnny Pesky cuz we like all folks that provide us with a pole for a rest stop….especially one that will be there for 100 years….and at the ballpark for that matter.   Do they let dogs into Fenway?), Frankk Malsone, Tony Petrocelli, Jim Lonborg, Bill Buckner, Jim Rice, Luis Tiant, Oil Can Boyd, Carlton Fisk, Nomar Garciapara, Pedro Martinez, Jose Conseco, Dwight Evans, Bernie Carbo, Dennis Eckersly, Mo Vaughn, Mike Lowell….and Spaceman Lee (who came out in a cowboy hat on his head and a bat in his hand)…..and that is why I just had to post this video below about Bill “Spaceman” Lee.                                                                                                                            

                                            MLB – 1969 To 1982 – Special – Stroh’s Beer Circle Of Sports                                                                Featuring The Life & Career Of Red Sox / Expos Pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee

                                                                                                                                                                                  When recognizing all of those greats….it was Kevin Millar that got one of the largest ovations….but the two standing ovations were reserved for Carl Yazstremski and Tito Francona….as the history of Yaz is well documented as one of the three greatest Red Sox outfielders…..with Ted Williams, Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski….while Terry Francona is the only Red Sox manager who won two World Series…..but had gotten fired at the end of his last season for running “too loose of a ship”.  So, tell me something….cuz this lil ole Chiweenie Sportsphile doesn’t understand how you run a loose ship and have two rings to show for it?….for to even to a dog….that doesn’t make any sense.                                                                         

               MLB – 1992 To 2009 – Special – Career Highlights Of Hall Of Fame Pitcher Pedro Martinez

 

What made this procession of past players special to BD was that every player wore their jersey from the era that they played….so when Bone Daddy saw the players from the 50’s and 60’s….it really brought back memories of happy days gone by….but never forgotten.  Let me just say this….”the players have gotten old…. but Fenway looks better than ever”.  And just a note here on the  players ….it was just a short 3 months later that Fenway Park and Red Sox Nation lost one of their most beloved as Johnny Pesky passed away….and we dogs lost the only player to have a dog stop named after him….”Pesky’s Pole”.                                                                                                                                                   

MLB & Music – 1961 To 1983 – Career Highlights Of Red Sox Hall Of Fame LF Carl Yastrzemski                                                  The Great Number 8 Set To Song “Wake Me Up Inside”

                                                                                                                                                                                    My favorite part of the ceremonies was a wonderful short video done by MLB Network….cuz remember that dogs are very visual beings….but in my small brained opinion….it really caught the essence of the game for which the stadium was built….and in simple prose narrated by a 100 year old lifelong Red Sox fan….who was born in Boston a mere 6 days before Fenway Park opened.  The piece was called “This Is Our Game” narrated by Paul Hogan….and it went like this:                                                                                                                                                        

THIS IS THE LAND OF HARD WORK

THE LAND OF OPEN SPACES

THIS IS THE LAND WHERE DETERMINATION AND LOYALTY ARE ALWAYS ON THE JOB

THIS IS THE LAND OF BASEBALL

IT IS OUR GAME OF INCHES

THAT COVERS MILES AND SPANS GENERATIONS

A PLACE WHERE WE GATHER UNDER SPACIOUS SKIES AND CELEBRATE AMBER WAVES

SO TAKE US OUT TO THE BALLGAME

CUZ IT AIN’T OVER TIL IT’S OVER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          THIS IS OUR 9 INNING PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

 
MLB – 2013 – Special Highlights – Tribute To Red Sox !B David Ortiz                                                                                            In The World Series Vs St Louis Cardinals

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        DOG ASIDE:

I don’t know whether any of you folks were as moved by the MLB piece “This Is Our Game” as Bone Daddy was when we watched this program together….as he asked me to replay the short piece over several times….while it brought a tear to his eye each time that he watched it…..as it is my opinion that the simplicity and accuracy of the subject matter is truly one of those things that causes a “swelling of emotions” to rise from within the very depths of his soul…..as it reminds him of a fond place and time spent with his Dad and his brothers out on the plains of West Texas…..and the truth be known, you just never no what image or verse will spark those memories which are most cherished.                                          

                           MLB – 1982 -Special Highlights – Boston Red Sox LF Jim Rice Goes Into Stands                                                 To Help A Boy Who Had Just Been Hit In The Head By a Line Drive Foul Ball

                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 DOG ASIDE:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Being a well schooled psychoanalysts of HUMAN behavior….I have enjoyed telling this story because it gives a little more understanding to me….cuz it provides a wonderful reflection of how and why HUMANS become Sportsphiles. It allows me to realize how many of you HUMANS share the same fervor for their teams and their players….to the extent that they have the makings of being a Sportsphile too.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Photos – 1967 To 1970 – Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali                                                                                 Is Convicted Of Draft Evasion And Sent To Jail                                                                                                                                                                               

Also….I just have to make a point about Ali….now folks here was a HUMAN who in his prime was superior in his sport at a young very age….when he chose to place his faith in Islam….was stripped of his title in his  prime…. was incarcerated for refusing to go into military service through standing up for his faith….regaining his the Heavyweight Championship Title twice after three (3) of his most dominant years of his career were taken away from him….and finally being stricken with Parkinson’s disease….while becoming the most recognizable HUMAN demographically on the Earth…..and he NEVER uttered one mean or bad word about the government or country that took his rights and freedom as an American.

  Rather, here was a HUMAN who instead chose to respect and honor his country….focusing on the country’s long suits rather than it’s shortcomings….and even after his Parkinson’s had become so amplified that it he no longer could control the body that have given him such overt confidence and beauty……as he has continued to answer every call that his country made….albeit lighting the flame at the Olympics or delivering the 1^st pitch at the 100^th celebration of his country’s national pastime.                                                                                                                                                        

MLB – 1937 To 1951 – Special – The MLB Hall Of Fame Remembers Boston Red Sox 2B Bobby Doerr

 

 

 

 

 

 

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