Red Sox & Boston Marathon

Everyone keeps an eye on two Red Sox games in April – Opening Day at Fenway and Patriots’ Day.

Fenway Park was open for business today. And the Red Sox sent fans home with a smile and a 5-3 victory over the Blue Jays.

Next Monday—Patriots’ Day, Marathon Monday—the BoSox will take on the Seattle Mariners at 11:05 am, the earliest starting time in Major League Baseball.

Today I thought I’d write a little about the Sox and direct you to a great article from redsoxconnection.com which examines the long tradition of the Sox playing at Fenway on Patriots' Day.

Every year on Marathon Monday, the Sox play a home game at Fenway Park starting at 11:05 a.m. When the game ends, the crowd empties into Kenmore Square to cheer as the leaders (and thousands of runners) pass mile 25.

A few months ago I was curious if a former Red Sox ever ran the Boston Marathon. I knew Red Sox’ wives like Shonda Shilling and Dawn Timlin have run Boston recently. But I thought maybe a player or two during their stint with the Sox may have caught Boston Marathon fever. Maybe a second baseman said to himself, “ When I retire, I will run the Boston Marathon!” I guess not -- I e-mailed resident Red Sox historian Dick Breschiani and he had not known of any player who traded spikes for Saucony’s on the third Monday in April.

Here’s an excellent article from redsoxconnection.com that tells you all you need to know about the Red Sox and their connection with Patriots' Day. Click here.