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.
With the world adjusting to a new look on the calendar in 2000, Pedro Martinez picked up right where he left off in the '90s. The Red Sox' ace won his second straight Cy Young Award after going 18-6 with a ridiculous 1.74 ERA and MLB-record WHIP of 0.7373.
The good news pretty much ended there, though, as the Sox finished 85-77.
Much more significant to the long-term fate of the franchise, CEO John Harrington announced his plans to sell the team and Fenway Park on Oct. 6. This decision was made after plans for a new ballpark across the street from the 1912 edifice fell through.
A few months later, the team signed free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez, ushering in a new era of Boston baseball that would eventually result in a pair of world championships.
The other memorable part of the 2000 season at Fenway had less to do with baseball, as it was the first year of the giant Hood milk bottle in right field. The Sox also added No. 27 to the right field facade when they retired Carlton Fisk's number.
For more information on Fenway Park, visit Fenway Park 100.
