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.
The 1977 Red Sox season was filled with plenty of excitement, as the record number of fans who flooded through the Fenway Park gates got to witness an explosive offense, 97 wins and the birth of Yawkey Way.
After owner Tom Yawkey passed away during the '76 season, the team renamed the section of Jersey Street next to Fenway in his honor. This area served as the main entrance for the over 2 million fans that attended Sox games that season — a record for the ballpark.
Outfielder Jim Rice and infielders George Scott and Butch Hobson led the way for the league's best offense, each hitting more than 30 home runs. The Sox led the league that year with 213 total blasts. In addition, Rice, Scott, Hobson and Carl Yastrzemski all amassed over 100 RBIs for the '77 season.
However, the offense's historic performance wasn't quite enough, as the team fell just short of the postseason after finishing 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees.
The Sox weren't the only team to feature star players at Fenway in 1977. On Aug. 1, the park hosted a game between the Cape Cod and Atlanta Collegiate League All-Stars, as well as a matchup between the Eastern League All-Stars and Bristol Red Sox later that month.
For more information on Fenway Park, visit Fenway Park 100.
