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.
It had been seven years since the Red Sox hadn’t finished in the basement of the American League, but 1931 was the year Boston finally overcame nearly a decade of futility and finished in sixth place.
Despite the team's improvement in the standings, Fenway Park saw a dramatic decrease in attendance. Compared to the 1930 season, nearly 100,000 less patrons watched the Red Sox play in 1931, but the small crowds could be attributed to the Great Depression.
Earl Webb was a shining spot for the Red Sox that year. The right fielder led Boston with 103 runs scored and a .333 batting average. Webb also set the single-season mark for doubles with 67 — a mark that hasn’t even been sniffed since Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton hit 59 in 2000.
Also unique about 1931 was the fact that the New York Yankees played a home game at Fenway -– the New York Yankees soccer squad of the American Soccer League. New York defeated the Glascow Celtic FC, 4-3. Among the other, non-baseball events taking place at Fenway were Boston College football and the Boston Parks Department championship game.
For more information on Fenway Park, visit Fenway Park 100.
