The Boston Red Sox will celebrate a franchise milestone in the upcoming homestand.
While the Boston Red Sox are in Detroit taking on the Tigers in a short three-game road trip, there was some exciting news for fans to look forward to when the Red Sox return to Fenway for a seven-game home stand that gets underway on Thursday night. Boston will be celebrating the 125th anniversary of the first Red Sox home game, welcoming back some franchise legends in the process.
According to the Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr, the celebration will take place ahead of Friday, with the Red Sox inviting back all their living alumni with retired numbers to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice, Pedro Martinez, Wade Boggs, and David Ortiz are the six confirmed participants per Starr.
May 26, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Former Red Sox player Wade Boggs (center right) is honored with the retiring of his uniform number 26 before the start of the game against the Colorado Rockies at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn ImagesThe Red Sox, then known as the Boston Americans, played their first home game against the Philadelphia Athletics on May 8, 1901, at the Huntington Avenue Grounds, winning 12-4 in front of 11,000 Bostonians.
Cy Young got the start for the Americans, pitching all nine innings, allowing four runs on 11 hits, while going 2-5 at the plate. Young was one of three Hall of Famers to appear in the game, including Athletics second baseman, Nap Lajoie, and Americans third baseman, Jimmy Collins.
The 2026 Red Sox hope the presence of some franchise legends will help spark a turnaround. Boston will enter Thursday's series opener against the Rays with a record of 6-10 at Fenway Park, a mark that is currently tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the worst home record in the American League, and third worst across all of baseball.
In other Red Sox news
May 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony (19) is checked on by interim manager Chad Tracy (17) and the trainer in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesAfter exiting Monday night's 5-4 win over the Tigers with a right-hand injury, Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony returned to Boston to see a hand specialist, where he received some relatively good news. According to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo, Anthony will avoid the injured list with a wrist sprain; he is considered day-to-day.
The Red Sox have yet to name a starter for Wednesday's series finale in Detroit, but according to Cotillo, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters ahead of Tuesday night's game that all signs point to Sonny Gray being activated off the injured list to make the start. Gray was placed on the 15-day IL on April 21 with a right hamstring strain.
The Red Sox are 14-21 and in last place in the American League East.
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