The Boston Red Sox will kick off the postseason by bringing back a guy who knows all about October theatrics.
Former Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Friday night ahead of Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park.
Sox fans will remember Nixon as the scrappy, hard-nosed right fielder who helped Boston win two World Series during his 10-year tenure with the Red Sox.
But Nixon also had a flair for the dramatic: Exactly 15 years and one day prior to Friday’s playoff opener — October 4, 2003 — he smacked a walk-off, two-run home run in the 11th inning to cap Boston’s wild 3-1 win over the Oakland Athletics in Game 3 of the ALDS.
The Red Sox went on to win that series and broke their World Series curse the following year. So, why not bring back the postseason hero to rekindle a little magic?
Nixon’s presence will be all the more fitting if the Sox face the A’s, who take on the New York Yankees in the AL wild-card game Wednesday night for the right to play at Fenway.
Nixon, a Wilmington, N.C., resident also is organizing a collection at the Fenway Park gates to help those affected by Hurricane Florence in his home state. The collection begins at 5:32 p.m. ET and will continue through the second inning.
