Fans outside Fenway Park before opening day. (Michael Dwyer/AP)
The boys of summer have returned to Fenway Park.
The Boston Red Sox took the field against the Minnesota Twins on opening day Friday. It's also Jackie Robinson Day, which celebrates Robinson's historic debut and contributions as Major League Baseball's first Black player.
The Sox honored Robinson's legacy with a ceremonial first pitch by the 9-year-old son of former first baseman Mo Vaughn, the last Boston player to wear Robinson's iconic jersey number 42.
Other pregame ceremonies highlighted the fighting in Ukraine, as the Fenway crowd observed a few seconds of silence. A boy from Ukraine now living with family in Agawam joined families and friends of Boston Marathon runners in officially opening the game.
Below, we've collected a few scenes from the ballpark Friday:
Cherry blossoms are seen before the 2022 opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins on April 15 at Fenway Park. (Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)A team store employee stocks shelves before opening day. (Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)A woman sells programs outside Fenway Park opening day Friday. (Michael Dwyer/AP)Jake Diekman of the Boston Red Sox lounges before the team's opening day game against the Minnesota Twins. (Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)Members of the Boston Red Sox display the number 42 in recognition of Jackie Robinson Day, as starting lineups are introduced before the opening day game against the Minnesota Twins on April 15 at Fenway Park. (Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)Former player Mo Vaughn of the Boston Red Sox watches as his son, Lee, throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the opening day game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. (Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)Red Sox
