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Red Sox Score Early, Often

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MINNEAPOLIS – Trevor Story hit a three-run home run and drove in five runs to help the visiting Boston Red Sox avoid a three-game sweep by defeating the Minnesota Twins, 9-5, Wednesday afternoon. After he homered against Minnesota starting pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson in the third inning, Story added a two-run double in the sixth. Story’s home run was his second of the season.

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Andruw Monasterio collected three hits for the Red Sox. Monasterio was playing in place of Willson Contreras, who removed himself from Tuesday’s game with back stiffness. Roman Anthony and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each had two hits in the win.

Boston starter Connelly Early (1-0) earned the win for holding the Twins to one run on two hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked two. Woods Richardson (0-3) allowed seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in five innings.

Austin Martin and Ryan Kreidler homered for Minnesota, which outscored Boston 19-6 in the first two games of the series.

The Twins entered Wednesday’s game with a six -game home winning streak.

After Martin’s solo home run opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, the Red Sox scored five runs in the third. Boston took the lead by scoring twice when second baseman Luke Keaschall committed two errors (one fielding, one throwing) on Masataka Yoshida’s grounder with the bases loaded. Story followed with his three-run home run that scored Ceddanne Rafaela and Yoshida to make it 5-1.

Boston extended its lead to 7-1 by pushing two runs across the plate in the fifth. Jarren Duran reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on Monasterio’s double to make it 6-1, and Monasterio added the seventh run by scoring from third on Connor Wong’s sacrifice bunt.

It was 9-1 after Story’s double in the sixth drove in Anthony and Rafaela.

Minnesota scored four times in the ninth. A Brooks Lee single drove in Tristan Gray to make it 9-2 before Kreidler hit a three-run home run that finalized the scoring.

–Field Level Media

Celebrate the Soundtracks of Baseball

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WORCESTER – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – For decades, former Red Sox front office veep Dr. Charles Steinberg has helped shape the soundtrack of baseball – from iconic ballpark traditions to original songs that celebrate the spirit of the game. On Friday, May 8, he’ll bring that blend of music and baseball history to Worcester as the inaugural musical feature of the National Baseball Poetry Festival.

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Steinberg’s session, scheduled from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Polar Park, will feature live performances of baseball songs, WooSox favorites, and mascot-themed music, along with behind-the-scenes stories drawn from his career in professional baseball. The program will conclude with an open Q&A, giving fans and families the chance to hear firsthand about the traditions, personalities, and moments that have defined the game’s cultural legacy. Participation in the session is free and open to the public.

A longtime baseball executive, educator, and musician, Steinberg has held leadership roles with the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Commissioner of Baseball’s office, and the Pawtucket and later Worcester Red Sox, where he has been widely recognized for blending sports, entertainment, and community engagement. He is also known for his contributions to some of baseball’s most beloved traditions, including helping bring music and storytelling into the ballpark experience in ways that connect generations of fans.

“Ever since childhood, I have enjoyed baseball’s soundtrack,” said Steinberg. “Music can connect families, friends, and crowds in an endearing and enduring way. Many have recognized for decades that baseball is a game for poets; the opportunity to celebrate those words, to write those lyrics, and to add the music has been among the greatest privileges of my career. You can feel its impact.”

Among his many memorable moments in the game, Steinberg has shared stories about the origins and popularity of fan-favorite songs at ballparks – illustrating how music can transform a game into a shared cultural experience. His upcoming appearance at the Festival will offer an opportunity to hear those stories directly from the source, while also enjoying the music that has become part of baseball’s fabric.

“Dr. Charles Steinberg represents the very best of what makes baseball special – its traditions, its stories, and the way it brings people together,” said Steven Biondolillo, founder of the National Baseball Poetry Festival. “Having him join us as our inaugural musical feature adds a whole new dimension to the Festival experience. It gives attendees the chance to hear the music of the game directly from someone who has helped shape its sound and spirit for generations, and it’s another example of how we continue to grow the event in creative and meaningful ways.”

Steinberg has been instrumental in the establishment of such Fenway Park anthems as “Sweet Caroline,” “Tessie,” and “I’m Shippin’ Up to Boston,” as well as “Hells Bells” in San Diego, “Don’t Stop Believin’” in Los Angeles, plus his own compositions. His appearance is part of the fourth annual National Baseball Poetry Festival, which will take place May 7-10, 2026, primarily at Polar Park, home of the Worcester Red Sox. Founded in 2022, the Festival celebrates the intersection of baseball and the fine arts, bringing together poets, educators, students, and fans for a weekend of readings, workshops, performances, and ball games.

BoSox: Two Wins in a Row

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BOSTON – Boston’s starting pitcher Sonny Gray pitched 6.1 innings of scoreless baseball and allowed only three hits while the Red Sox scored three runs in the third inning to spot him a 3-0 lead, early, en route to Boston’s 5-0 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. The win gave the Sox their first series win of 2026, after a paltry 2-8 start.

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In the third, Boston loaded the bases, then scored on a base on balls earned by first baseman Willson Contreras. Rightfielder Bobby Abreu delivered an infield hit to score the second run and designated hitter Trevor Story hit a sacrifice fly ball to right, scoring reserve shortstop Andruw Monasterio as the Sox scored three runs but left three men on base.

Boston scored two insurance runs in the seventh inning and relief pitchers Greg Weissert, rookie Tyler Samaniego and Ryan Watson closed it out for Boston, now 4-8 on the year. The loss by Milwaukee dropped their record to 8-4.

Monasterio drew three walks on the day to go with two fly outs to right. Centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela was 2-for-2 with a walk.

Gray (2-0) was credited with the win, while Brewers starter Shane Drohan (0-1) took the loss. There was no save. Gray threw 90 pitches on the day with 53 being strikes.

Rookie reliever Tyler Samaniego (1.0 IP, one walk, three strike-outs) made his MLB debut for the Red Sox. He pitched a hitless 8th inning, striking out three of his four batters faced. and joins Fred Wenz who on 6/4/68 vs. DET-G2 (1.0 IP, 2 BB, 3 SO) was the only other Red Sox relieverr ever to allow no runs in their debut and record three strike-outs in their first inning of work. The feat was witnessed by 28,660 fans at Fenway Park on a cool (43-degrees) but sunny afternoon.

The Brewers have an off day on Thursday and head home for a three-game set with the visiting Washington Nationals. Boston completed their six game home stand, going (3-3). They’ll have a travel day on Thursday and play three games at St. Louis before flying to Minnesota for another three-game set.

Red Sox Put One in the “W” Column

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Red Sox will turn to veteran right-hander Sonny Gray while the visiting Milwaukee Brewers will counter with left-hander Shane Drohan in the rubber match of a three-game series on Wednesday afternoon.

Drohan will make his major league debut against his former organization after being acquired in an offseason trade with Boston.

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Gray (1-0, 4.50 ERA), who totaled 27 wins over the previous two seasons with St. Louis, notched his first victory with the Red Sox in his most recent start.

Boston snapped a three-game skid on Tuesday night and evened the series with a 3-2 victory despite managing just three hits. The Red Sox, who are only 3-8 this season, converted three consecutive walks for three runs in the sixth inning off hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski for a 3-0 lead, keyed by Trevor Story’s two-run, bases-loaded double.

Milwaukee answered with two runs in the seventh off starter Garrett Crochet but stranded runners on second and third.

“A night like tonight, you know who’s on the other side and you kind of know that you’ve got to be on your A -game,” Crochet said afterward about Misiorowski, who struck out 10 in 5 1/3 innings.

Gray picked up the victory his last time out, allowing two runs on four hits in six innings in a 5-2 win over San Diego on Friday.

“It’s a team effort, for sure,” Gray said afterward. “But I do think it’s the starting pitcher’s job to come out and attack, put zeros on the board and give your team a chance. That’s just kind of what my mindset was today — to just attack early, get back to being you. And we had a good game plan going in.”

Gray is 5-6 with a 4.55 ERA in 20 career starts vs. Milwaukee.

Drohan was called up Monday from Triple-A Nashville after reliever Jared Koenig was placed on the 15-day injured list. Drohan was acquired in February from Boston with pitcher Kyle Harrison and infielder David Hamilton for infielders Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler.

Drohan made one start this season at Triple-A Nashville, allowing two runs on three hits in 3 1/3 innings without a decision. He was 5-1 with a 2.27 ERA last season in 12 games, including 11 starts, for Worcester, Boston’s Triple-A affiliate.

Drohan was 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA in four spring training outings with Milwaukee, allowing seven runs (six earned) in 12 2/3 innings. He struck out 15 and walked four.

The Brewers, already without injured starters Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn, were without second baseman Brice Turang on Tuesday night. Turang, hitting .270 with seven RBIs, has been dealing with a foot or ankle injury, although he probably is not slated for the injured list, Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Tuesday.

“Turang’s playing on one leg, and he hasn’t got great numbers on this road trip, but he’s helped us win,” Murphy told MLB.com. “He’s been on base, he’s played defense. He’s a threat when he’s taking his walks, which is crucial for what he needs to do.”

–Field Level Media

A Lousy 2-8 Skidoo …

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Red Sox will try to end a three-game losing streak and avoid dropping their fourth straight series when they host the Milwaukee Brewers tonight. Milwaukee opened the three-game set by overcoming a three-run deficit en route to an 8-6 victory on Monday.

Christian Yelich recorded three of the Brewers’ 11 hits, plus an RBI.

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“Our offense … it doesn’t matter what the score is, we can grind out at-bats, get guys on and make things happen for sure,” said starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff, who gave up three runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.

“Early in the year when it’s cold like this, you’re just trying to give your team a chance to win. Yeah, it would be great to throw up zeros, but the way the  game was transpiring, I was just trying to give us a chance. Getting into the sixth was big. It was huge for the guys down in the (bullpen) because we were short. I knew I needed to do that.”

After starting the season by losing two of three games in Cincinnati, Boston was swept by Houston and then lost two of three against San Diego.

“It was a great win,” Yelich said Monday. “It was a toughness win from the guys. We got down. It was cold out there (low 40s at game time). We got a short ‘pen, and we found a way to win. We’re willing to grind with anybody. Just proud of the guys for finding a way there.”

Boston committed two errors during Monday’s loss and has 11 in 10 games. The boos may have been the loudest after Roman Anthony committed a throwing error in the eighth inning that allowed a run to score and give Milwaukee a 7-5 lead.

“It wasn’t a good throw,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “(Pitcher Garrett Whitlock) didn’t back up. We’re just watching the play. When the ball is hit we got to go somewhere. The only people that can watch is the people in the stands, and obviously they’re not too happy.

“That’s why we love it here because their expectations are up there with us. And right now we deserve whatever they’re thinking. We’re not playing good baseball and we know it.”

Willson Contreras was a bright spot for the Red Sox, hitting a solo home run and reaching base a career-high five times.

It will be a battle of aces on Tuesday when Boston left-hander Garrett Crochet (1-1, 3.27 ERA) is scheduled to start opposite right-hander Jacob Misiorowski (1-0, 2.45).

Crochet took the loss in his last start after allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits in five innings of a 6-4 defeat to Houston on Wednesday. He is 0-1 with a 2.13 ERA in two career appearances against Milwaukee, with 19 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.

“Like I said a few days ago, we have to pitch to get to .500 and go where we want to go,” Cora said. “We have to pitch, that’s the bottom line. We walked eight (on Monday). They had 18 at-bats with men in scoring position. It’s very hard to win that way. Very hard.”

Misiorowski will make his first career appearance against the Red Sox. He has thrown 20 pitches this season clocked at 100 mph or higher. In his most recent outing, he gave two runs and four hits over six innings in a no-decision vs. Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Misiorowski struck out seven and walked two in his team’s 8-2 victory.

–Field Level Media

Celtics Iron-Out Rotation

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BOSTON – Although this is the final week of the NBA regular season, the Boston Celtics still have at least one significant thing to iron out entering Tuesday’s game against the visiting Charlotte Hornets: making sure Nikola Vucevic fits comfortably into the rotation before the playoffs begin.

Vucevic returned to the court for Sunday’s 115-101 victory over Toronto after missing four weeks with a broken finger. The injury occurred in a March 6 game against Dallas, the same night Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles injury.

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Vucevic collected four points and four rebounds in 13 minutes against Toronto, but he also picked up four fouls.

“He was good,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I mean, it was only 13 minutes. I thought offensively he made the right reads, missed a couple. Second half, we kind of went to — it was almost, we were looking at some different matchup stuff, so we didn’t get him in as much as we wanted to in the second half. But he was fine, I thought. He’s just going to continue to get acclimated.”

Vucevic said regaining chemistry is the hardest part about returning after missing significant time with an injury.

“That just has to come from us playing and practicing together, which is good I get at least these five games in before the playoffs then we’ll have that week between that will help,” he said. “But I think as far as plays, coverages, kind of knowing what to do out there in different situations, that was pretty good for me. I did a lot of it throughout my rehab. A lot of my workouts were fully left-handed, but I was still learning plays like that.

“Just continue to play alongside all of the guys,” he continued. “Obviously me and JT didn’t get a lot of time together, but I think we’re both high-level players, both smart players, and I think we’ll be able to figure it out pretty quick. Just even being around the guys, the time I did play, I think it’s helped a lot. Obviously, it would have been great to have that full month that I missed, but it is what it is. We know we’ll try to make the best out of it in the next couple games. And then also I think that week leading up to the playoffs is going to help. We’ll probably have a couple practices which will help as well.”

The Celtics (53-25) will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games.

Charlotte (43-36) has won four in a row since it dropped a 114-99 decision to Boston at home on March 29. The Hornets are 9-2 in their last 11 games, and are trying to avoid the play-in tournament by finishing sixth or higher in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte will participate in the postseason for the first time since 2015-16, when the Hornets lost to Miami in the first round.

The Hornets beat the Celtics 118-89 when the teams met in Boston on March 4. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges said dealing with Boston’s physicality will be paramount Tuesday night.

“We came into their place and beat them,” he said. “Then they came into our place and beat us, so we want to return the favor and start getting ready for the playoffs.”

–Field Level Media

Padres Come From Behind, Beat Sox 8-6

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor-in-Chief

BOSTON – San Diego closer Mason Miller entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning to much fanfare. Fenway Park’s welcome was actually a rallying cry to the home Boston Red Sox and they came to the plate with the heart of the order scheduled to bat. Miller struck out Boston shortstop Trevor Story on three pitches, then got No. 3 hitter Jarren Duran with only four pitches.

Lastly, Miller earned his fourth save of the season by mowing down Willson Contreras with a 89 mph slider to strike out the side and secure an 8-6 victory for the visiting Padres (4-5). The Red Sox fell to (2-7) and will limp into a three-game set vs. Milwaukee on Monday night at Fenway..

After a paltry 1-5 start to the 2026 Major League Baseball season, the Boston Red Sox needed two big games. One came on their home opening day, on Friday, when the Sox defeated the San Diego Padres 5-2 before a festive sellout crowd at Fenway Park, but the other fell short Sunday, when the Sox faced those same Padres in the rubber-game of their three-game series and dropped it.

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Boston tallied first, scoring four runs in the bottom half of the third inning. The inning began with two base-on-balls issued to catcher Carlos Narvaez and designated hitter Roman Anthony, respectively. After Boston Story moved the runners up a base with a ground-out to first, centerfielder Jarren Duran laced a double down the right field side, scoring both Narvaez and Anthony.

Later in the inning, Boston’s rightfielder Wilyer Abreu cracked a drive to the wall in right for a stand-up triple. Left fielder Masataka Yoshida followed with a double to right, scoring Abreu and giving Boston a 4-0 lead. With that, San Diego yanked starter Walker Buehler in the third as his line was a horrid, 2.2 IP, three hots, four runs, all earned  with three walks and four strike-outs. Buehler threw 61 pitches in his 2.2 IP with 33 strikes.

San Diego followed a half-inning later, tallying three runs on four hits and an error. Fernando Tatis Jr. started the rally wqith a double ripped to the left-center field gap. Centerfielder Jackson Merrill knocked in Tatis with a base hit to right and Manny Machado followed immediately afterward with a single. The two runners advanced on an errant throw by Boston’s backstop, Narvaez, and newly acquired first baseman Nick Castellanos knocked in the pair of runners with a single to cut the Red Sox lead to 4-3. . Castellanos was batting .154 when the game started.

San Diego scored another three runs in the 5th inning. Catcher Luis Campusano and Merrill each singled to set the table for Padres third baseman and All-Star Manny Machado’s 365-foot, three-run homer to left field which gave the Padres a 6-4 lead in the middle of the 5th.

Manager Alex Cora had yanked starter Ranger Suarez after the Campusano single, so reliever Greg Weissert was left holding two of those three runs on his resume. Weissert was replaced by rookie  right-hander Tyler Uberstine in the sixth inning.

Boston tied the game in the bottom of the 7th inning when Story singled, first baseman Contreras traded the base paths on a field’s choice but Abreu laced a double to put runners on 2nd and 3rd base. Yoshida came through in the clutch with a two-out double to right-center field, scoring both Contreras and Abreu.

With the score knotted at 6-6, Merrill led-off the 8th inning with a 384-foot home run to right field, hitting a 2-2 pitch off Uberstine – his first homer to be let up at Fenway. The Padres scored an insurance run in the top of the 9th. Tatis ripped a long sacrifice fly ball to center and pinch hitter Gavin Sheets scored after he had hit a double to lead-off the inning.

Jeremiah Estrada was credited with the victory. He is (1-0), while the rookie, Uberstine, took the loss. He is (0-1).

The Padres will fly to Pittsburgh to face the National League Pirates in their next series.

 

 

Chapman Blows the Close

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Ramon Laureano’s two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth inning propelled the visiting San Diego Padres to a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox in the second of a three-game series on Saturday.

The Padres found two-out magic against Boston closer Aroldis Chapman (0-1) to take the lead for good, as Fernando Tatis Jr. ripped a double over Ceddanne Rafaela’s head in center field to set the stage for Laureano’s heroic knock into left.

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Miguel Andujar also had a big day for San Diego, going 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored.

San Diego had recorded just two hits between the fourth and seventh innings, allowing the Boston offense to scratch a tying run. Adrian Morejon (1-0) earned the win despite blowing a potential save, which Mason Miller wound up earning after striking out the side in the ninth.

Rafaela and Roman Anthony each had two hits for the Red Sox; Anthony hit a triple in the fifth.

In the eighth, Rafaela and Anthony started the Red Sox with back-to-back singles before pinch hitter Andruw Monasterio put together a nine-pitch at-bat and earned an RBI fielder’s choice. The Padres looked to turn an inning-ending 1-4-3 double play, but Jake Cronenworth fumbled Morejon’s throw to second.

After Boston starter Connelly Early worked out of a two-on, two-out jam to start the game, San Diego took a 1-0 lead on Bryce Johnson’s RBI grounder in the second. Freddy Fermin scored after drawing a leadoff walk and moved first-to-third on Ty France’s wall-ball single.

The bottom of the inning saw the hosts respond with a game-tying run, as Willson Contreras knocked a leadoff single to left and scored on Marcelo Mayer’s sacrifice fly.

A pair of doubles in the third helped the Padres take a 2-1 lead. Andujar knocked one into the left-field corner with one out to spark the inning, and Manny Machado kept the line moving with a walk. Two batters later, Fermin flipped the score again with a two-out liner past the dive of Boston third baseman Caleb Durbin.

Both teams’ bats were quieted for several innings thereafter, though the Red Sox had opportunities to re-tie the game with four hits across the fourth and fifth.

San Diego starter Randy Vasquez worked around three singles in the first of those frames, striking out Mayer with two on to end the threat. An inning later, Anthony’s two-out triple to deep right went by the board.

Vasquez completed six innings of one-run ball with three strikeouts.

Early threw 88 pitches in just four innings, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks while fanning four.

–Field Level Media

Celtics Looking for Big Start vs Raptors

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Preview) – Strong starts have propelled the Boston Celtics to victory in each of their last two games, and they will look to continue that trend against the visiting Toronto Raptors on Sunday afternoon.

The Celtics (52-25) made 11 shots from 3-point range and set a franchise record by scoring 53 points in the first quarter of their 147-129 win at Miami on Wednesday. The 53-point quarter is tied for the second-highest scoring first quarter in NBA regular-season history, trailing only Golden State’s 55-point quarter in 2023.

Boston followed that effort by scoring 43 points during the first 12 minutes of Friday’s 133-101 win at Milwaukee. The 96 combined points set an NBA record for points scored in consecutive opening quarters.

Center Neemias Queta set the tone for Boston on Friday by collecting 13 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots in the first quarter, when the Celtics built a 21-point lead. Queta finished the game with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting and 10 rebounds with four blocks.

“It’s unbelievable,” the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum said when asked about Queta’s improved play this season. “I couldn’t be more proud and happier for Neemy. The way he’s seeing the game (and) the leap he’s made as a screener, as a passer.

“Somebody we can trust when we throw the ball in the seams, finishing, protecting the rim. He is an NBA starting big man, that’s who he is now, and he’s only gonna continue to get better.”

Boston had six players score in double figures against the Bucks, which was the team’s 10th victory by at least 25 points this season. Queta has scored in double digits in four of his last five games.

“Neemy did a great job in his screen reads, and then I thought our guys did a good job finding him, and then he finished or he kicked out for open shots,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said via NBC Sports Boston. “So, he started that, got Sam (Hauser) some open looks, Jayson and Jaylen (Brown) were distributing, and we got a lot of catch-and-shoot shots.”

Toronto rookie Collin Murray-Boyles has been contributing more at the offensive end of the court of late. Murray-Boyles is averaging 8.4 points per game this season, but scored 14 against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, a career-high 20 points against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday and tossed in 19 points when the Raptors (43-34) ended a two-game losing streak by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 128-96 on Friday.

“Just working on my game,” Murray-Boyles said. “I feel like that’s what’s translating into me putting up numbers and stuff like that. Me being effective. … Obviously I like to be involved in the offense.”

Boston is second in the Eastern Conference standings and will enter Sunday’s game with a 2 1/2-game lead over the third-place New York Knicks. After Sunday, the Celtics and Knicks will each have four regular season games to play.

Friday’s victory over Memphis moved Toronto into a tie for sixth place with the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference but the Raptors were officially seventh via a tiebreaker. The top six teams will avoid the play-in tournament.

“We have somewhere we’re trying to get to,” Murray-Boyles said following Friday’s win. “Trying to get in the playoffs and make a good run, and this is the start of it.”

–Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Notes | Opening Day

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor in Chief of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – What better way is there to chronicle the 2026 Opening Day at Fenway Park than with a patented TL timeline? It’s the San Diego Padres in town for a three-game set against the hometeam.

Here we go:

10:00am – By pure luck, your fave columnist departed his suburban Boston home at the exact same time our beloved neighbor (Tuckie’s Dad) was driving over to work and passing by the ballpark. Nice!

10:45am – Second in line for credential check-in (which is usually pretty long on Opening Day), and it took all of two minutes. The good news was that the Press Gate (D) opened at 8:45am.

10:47am – Shared an elevator ride for two with my favorite WBZ-TV sports reporter Dan Roche and we chatted “winter” for a while, and his take was the surprise that kept him working the New England Patriots’ beat until the Super Bowl in February, then right to Spring Training. … “Vrabel,” we both said in unison.

10:49am – The first person we saw, as we walked down the press box corridor was former NESN/Sox broadcaster Don Orsillo, who was let go by the locals but quickly hooked-up with the Padres back in 2016. The Melrose, Mass. native now lives in Coronado, California. That’s an upgrade.

11:00am – Settled into my usual press box seat but immediately thought of Red Sox Official Scorer Mike Shalin, my New York and St. John’s compadre who passed away at the age of 66 (back in December, 2020). Mike wrote for the NY Post, the Boston Herald and UPI/Sports Exchange wire services and thus contributed to Digital Sports Desk via the wire for many years. Known for his gregarious ways and encyclopedic knowledge of baseball and all sports NYC, Mike was diagnosed with brain cancer just months before his passing. He welcomed me to the Red Sox “Bresh Box” with open arms and we had a few laughs – many subtle jokes about New York, The Garden and every National Anthem singer. When I was first credentialed to cover the Sox, Mike introduced me to pretty much every person in the press box. Amazing guy, and I miss him greatly.

11:30am – The Red Sox organization treats the media to “free lunch” on Opening Day, a treat that saves us $12 from the normal fee (which is quite fair, considering the usual three course meals, complete with New England clam chowder, locally grown vegetables (on the Fenway Rooftops) in the summer. It’ll be a break “in the action” for 20-30 minutes while the Sox take batting practice.

Fenway Johnnies (2018-2026)

11:45am – Enjoyed lunch with Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy as we go back to when Dan started on the Celtics beat in the early ‘80s. We enjoyed catching up, talking friends and family. We also discussed the untimely closing of Fenway Johnnies, sister bar/restaurant to West End Johnnies – a block from TD Garden. Sadly, Fenway didn’t make it ‘til Opening Day after a long, slow winter.

12 Noon-1:45pm – Down time used to do some writing and catch-up on email, calls.

1:43pm – Texts from family that they’re in their seats and ready for the festivities (after a little lunch at Eastern Standard). ES has the best food around the ballpark.

2:00pm – Introductions of the two teams, with San Diego first, of course and a nice ovation for former Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts. The home team was introduced to much applause, then a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Nic Taylor.

At precisely 2:00pm, the sun came out, and the press box windows opened to provide light and sound. What a difference it makes. It’s also somewhat humid, and the heaters are on.

Opening Day at Fenway Park – 2026 (Photo by VJ Lyons)

At 2:01pm, I realized just how lucky we all are to be at Fenway Park to open the 2026 Baseball season here in Boston. I also wondered, “what will this summer bring?” And, “will we be here in October when the days are short and the temperature drop?”

2:10pm – The 1986 American League champion Red Sox are introduced (as a group) after they walked out from the Green Monster. Ceremonial first pitch and we’re ready to play ball. Nice job. The festivities are running late for the scheduled 2:10 first pitch.

2:21pm – First pitch of the season by Sonny Gray to Fernando Tatis, Jr. (foul ball). Then Tatis grounds out to Trevor Story at shortstop.

2:22pm – Speaking of shortstop, batting second, San Diego SS Xander Bogaerts is introduced to a rousing standing ovation that gained steam as it went along, almost forcing Bogaerts to step out of the batter’s box and tip his batting helmet.

2:25pm – Gray retired the Padres in order. we’ll pick this up when there’s something newsworthy to report/journal.

2:40pm – Boston 1B Willson Contreras gets the nod in the first ABS challenge in Fenway Park’s MLB history. Ball was a 1/4-inch outside and Contreras took first base only to be doubled up minutes later.

2:50pm – The Red Sox score their first run of the 2026 season when Ceddanne Rafaela singles-in Marcelo Mayer who had led off the inning with a double to left center field. (Red Sox 1-0, after 3 innings).

3:09pm – The shadows of October are here at Fenway in early April, too. Sunlight tossing shadow right across home plate to Sonny Gray’s benefit.

3:23pm – The Sox manufacture another run with a Jarren Duran leadoff double, and a Caleb Durbin base hit. Durbin was 0-19 going into today.

3:45pm – Former Red Sox reliever and Houston Astros legendary closer, Joe Sambito stopped by the press box to do a half-inning of TV and meet the press. He was great. Little known fact, Joe was a legend at Bethpage High School on Long Island and a member of “the family” via his younger brother Bobby, a lifelong friend of this column.

3:45pm – The San Diego Padres got to Sonny Gray for two runs in the visiting half of the 5th inning, 2-2.

3:50pm – Willson Contreras homers, 423-feet, to deep center field, 3-2, Sox at the end of six innings.

3:55pm – After a Wilyer Abreu single, second baseman Marcelo Mayer clocked a 385-foot drive into the Red Sox bullpen to give Boston a 5-2 lead. SD reliever Wandy Peralta might need some tips from Joe Sambito.

4:25pm – With the sun shadows reaching the pitcher’s mound, we get the very first “Sweet Caroline” of the ‘26 season, marking the middle of the 8th inning break.

A regular observation of the Fenway Park crowd? Not a single soul has left the building. Yes, a sell-out crowd of 36,233 is enjoying every last second of this ballgame.

4:31pm – Cue the light show, as Sox closer Aroldis Chapman enters the game to close-out the Padres as the visitors bat in the 9th inning. Again, NOT a SOUL has left Fenway Park. It’s amazing.

The obligatory “Yankees Suck” chants reverberate throughout the park.

Chapman has his “stuff” and blew one past Jackson Merrill at 97 mph. Two outs.

4:38pm – Chapman falls behind, 3-1, in the count, then gets it to full count, as the crowd erupts. He throws a ball to walk Manny Machado.

4:41pm – Ramon Laureano flies out to Roman Anthony in right field and the ball game is OV-AH. (5-2, Sox). Chapman gets his first save of 2026, Weissert and Slaten get the “holds” while starter Sonny Gray wins his first of the season.

Cue the Dropkicks, a tradition of playing “Tessie” by the Dropkick Murphys, followed by the old fave of “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog,” a.k.a. “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night.

4:48pm – Kevin Foley, my brother of summer from the Red Sox media relations staff, closes the press box windows on a gorgeous afternoon to close out the Sox victory and this play-by-play of a great day at Fenway.

Not once do I take this ballpark, The Garden in New York, or Wrigley Field in Chicago for granted. All three are Heaven on Earth.

TL