Editor’s note: Fenway Park opened on April 20, 1912. NESN.com will be celebrating Fenway’s 100-year anniversary with unique content from now until April 20, 2012.
Many Red Sox fans are under the impression that the Sox played their first game at Fenway Park against New York in 1912. It's true that the Sox opened their regular season schedule against the Highlanders on April 20 of that historic year, but Boston actually played its first baseball game at the historic stadium 11 days earlier.
In fact, the opponent across the field for that exhibition game happens to be a name familiar to New Englanders — Harvard. The Sox played their first baseball game at Fenway Park on April 9, 1912 against Harvard College.
The inaugural season for the oldest remaining ballpark in the majors was filled with events not exclusive to Red Sox baseball.
When the team was on the road, amateur teams used the park. Then, in the fall, Fenway played host to the National High School Football Championship. Oak Park (IL) defeated local powerhouse Everett to take home the title.
Of course, that wasn't the only championship decided at Fenway in late 1912. The building's main occupants, the Red Sox, won the 1912 World Series in seven games over the New York Giants, after the Sox won 105 games in the regular season, highlighted by a sparkling 57-20 home record.
For more information on Fenway Park, visit Fenway Park 100.
