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.
Fenway Park has seen plenty of changes over the course of almost a century, but the most drastic changes didn't start until 2002.
The Red Sox, under new ownership, saw their home undergo a couple of changes for the 2002 season. New seats were added next to the dugouts getting fans even closer to the field, and Yawkey Way was opened up to fans thanks the new Yawkey Way Concourse that offered more room.
On the field, the Sox failed to reach the playoffs, but there were still a couple of notable on-field accomplishments. Derek Lowe threw a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on April 27. Then, on July 23, Nomar Garciaparra celebrated his birthday by blasting three home runs in a 22-4 win over, again, Tampa Bay.
The 2002 season was a sad one, however, as the Red Sox and the baseball world mourned the loss of a legend. Ted Williams passed away on July 5. His life was celebrated by more than 20,000 people just a few months later during a special ceremony at Fenway Park.
In November, the Red Sox hired Billy Beane as their new general manager, only to have the Oakland GM change his mind a day later. Instead, the Sox went with Theo Epstein.
For more information on Fenway Park, visit Fenway Park 100.
