Monday, July 8 Red Sox to hold two services on July 22 Associated Press |
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The Boston Red Sox will celebrate Ted Williams' life on July 22 with two memorial services at Fenway Park that will include baseball's all-time greats, ordinary fans and members of his family.
''We'd like to see all of the stars of Red Sox history, and we'd like to see all of the great stars of baseball history who can get there that day,'' team spokesman Charles Steinberg said Sunday as he departed for the All-Star game in Milwaukee to try to recruit participants.
Though the details are still being determined, the team has decided to hold one free event in the morning to allow fans to pay their respects at the ballpark and another, ticketed event in the evening with the proceeds going to Williams' favorite charity, The Jimmy Fund.
Initial plans are for a morning event that would allow fans to file into the ballpark, perhaps walk on the warning track and stand in left field, where Williams played from 1939-60 except for the five years he served in World War II and Korea. Steinberg said the team is considering draping Fenway's famous left-field Wall with a giant replica of Williams' No. 9 jersey, and playing a video on the scoreboard that would take fans through his career.
''It's a chance for the fans to reconnect with their hero,'' Steinberg said. ''It's a way for them to pay their respects in a real way.''
At night, the team would bring out baseball's biggest stars. Plans are to invite Williams' colleagues from baseball and the military and other baseball notables, such as members of the 500 home run club. |
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