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.
You know it's a down year for the Red Sox when one of the highlights was the addition of an electronic lineup board on Fenway Park's left-field wall.
The Sox struggled, to the tune of a 76-84 record, in 1962, finishing below .500 for the fourth consecutive season.
Despite the lack of team success, there were several individual bright spots in '62. The biggest was undoubtedly Earl Wilson's June 26 no-hitter at Fenway, as it marked the first time an African-American had thrown a no-no in the American League. Bill Monbouquette added his own no-hitter in late July.
In addition, infielder Pete Runnels hit .326 on the season to win his second career batting title, reliever Dick Radatz led the league in saves and second-year player Carl Yastrzemski drove in a team-leading 94 runs. After the season, fan favorite Johnny Pesky was named manager, replacing Pinky Higgins at the helm in early October.
Before the season, the left-field wall received a new electronic scoreboard that displayed the lineups for both teams — along with each player's number and position — and was used until 1975. Fenway also continued to host non-baseball events in 1962, including Armed Forces Day and the annual Mayor's Charity Field Day.
For more information on Fenway Park, visit Fenway Park 100.
