© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
TECHNOTE: WKAR broadcast signals will be off-air or low power during tower maintenance

Boston Landmark, Fenway Park, Turns 100

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Boston's Fenway Park, home to the Red Sox, turns 100 today. Its many, many star turns include a mention in the movie "Field of Dreams."

(SOUNDBITE OF MOVIE, "FIELD OF DREAMS")

LYNN NEARY, HOST:

That's the one. The Green Monster - or monstah(ph) , as they say in Boston - houses Fenway's antique manual scoreboard.

INSKEEP: Some fans are paying more than $1,000 to sit on top of the Green Monster when the Red Sox play tonight.

: Glenn Stout is author of the book "Fenway 1912 "

GLENN STOUT: Because of the age of the stadium, it is very much - and in a very physical way - a shared experience, you know. If somebody on one end of your aisle jumps up in joy, you know, there's going to be a ripple effect all the way down your aisle, because you're crowded so close together.

NEARY: Ken Greenwood has been an usher at Fenway for 45 seasons.

KEN GREENWOOD: Even though they change - make little tweaks here and there, it still seems like it's the same ballpark that I came to as a kid.

INSKEEP: The same right field foul pole, the same Fenway franks, and the same dedicated fans who rise not just for a seventh inning stretch, but also for an eighth inning sing-along.

CROWD: (Singing) Sweet Caroline...

NEARY: And they will sing as the Red Sox play their rivals, the New York Yankees, at Fenway today.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "SWEET CAROLINE")

NEARY: You're listening to MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!