There typically is a special ceremony before the first home game of this season — but this year the organization will be marking the 20th anniversary of the 2004 World Series championship team that broke the curse.
Confirmed members attending the 2004 Championship team reunion include:
Jimmy Anderson, Bronson Arroyo, Jamie Brown, Orlando Cabrera, César Crespo, Johnny Damon, Brian Daubach, Lenny DiNardo, Keith Foulke, Terry Francona, Bill Haselman, Adam Hyzdu, Ron Jackson, Gabe Kapler, Curt Leskanic, Derek Lowe, Mark Malaska, Dave McCarty, Ramiro Mendoza, Doug Mientkiewicz, Kevin Millar, Brad Mills, Mike Myers, Trot Nixon, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Calvin Reese, Phil Seibel, Earl Snyder, Dale Sveum, Mike Timlin, Jason Varitek, Dave Wallace, Scott Williamson, and Kevin Youkilis.
BOSTON - OCTOBER 23: Pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning during game one of the World Series on October 23, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
BOSTON - APRIL 25: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox tips his cap tot he crowd during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 25, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox's Tim Wakefield shakes hands with the crowd in celebration after the Red Sox clinched a playoff spot in the American League after defeating the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, September 25, 2003.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield throws a knuckle ball against the Texas Rangers Sunday, July 11, 2004. The Rangers beat the Red Sox 6-5 at Fenway Park in Boston Massachusetts on July 11, 2004. (Photo by J Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON - MAY 1: Tim Wakefield #48 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during their game at Fenway Park on May 1, 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 7-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
BOSTON - OCTOBER 23: Pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during game one of the World Series on October 23, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: Former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield runs out on to the field before the game against the Seattle Mariners on May 15, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Wakefield was honored in a pregame ceremony by the Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: Former Boston Red Sox players Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the home opener between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON - JUNE 27: Josh Beckett #19 (L) and Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox have a laugh before playing the New York Mets on June 27, 2006 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees on September 25, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: Former Boston Red Sox players Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the home opener between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 24: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a knuckleball against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on July 24, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox poses during photo day at the Boston Red Sox Spring Training practice facility on February 28, 2010 in Ft. Myers, Florida. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 5: Starting pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws against the Texas Rangers on July 5, 2005 at Ameriquest Field in Arlington in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: Former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield stands in the dugout before the game against the Seattle Mariners on May 15, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Wakefield was honored in a pregame ceremony by the Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON - OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch against the New York Yankees after entering the game in the fourth inning during game three of the American League Championship Series on October 16, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 13: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after earning his 200th win after a game with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on September 13, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield retiring
FILE - Boston Red Sox's Tim Wakefield tips his cap as he comes off the field in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Boston, July 24, 2011. Wakefield, the knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff who bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs to help Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the following year, has died. He was 57. The Red Sox announced his death in a statement Sunday, Oct. 1 2023, (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file)
FILE - Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield leaves the field after working against the Toronto Blue Jays in a Sept. 7, 2011 baseball game in Toronto. Wakefield, the knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff who bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs to help Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the following year, has died. He was 57. The Red Sox announced his death in a statement Sunday, Oct. 1 2023, (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press via AP, file)
Tim Wakefield
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers embraces former Red Sox players Tim Wakefield and Kevin Millar prior to Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
As much as it will be a fun trip down memory lane celebrating the team that finally brought the city a World Series championship, there will be a much somber tone as those who are no longer here to celebrate are remembered — the Wakefields and Larry Lucchino.
Red Sox Hall of Fame pitched Tim Wakefield died at the age of 57 in October after a battle with brain cancer. Stacy Wakefield, Tim’s wife, passed away in February after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Larry Lucchino, the former president of the Boston Red Sox who helped the club vanquish the proverbial “curse of the Bambino” in 2004, died last week at the age of 78.
In honor of Lucchino and the Wakefields, “Play Ball” will be said by children from The Jimmy Fund and Franciscan Children’s Hospital.
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Larry Lucchino, CEO of the Boston Red Sox (L) and Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein (R) stand next to Terry Francona after he was named the Red Sox 44th manager in club history at a Fenway Park December 4, 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts. Francona, who had once managed for the Phillies, will replace Grady Little who was not rehired. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Larry Lucchino, CEO of the Boston Red Sox (L) and Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein (R) stand next to Terry Francona after he was named the Red Sox 44th manager in club history at a Fenway Park December 4, 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts. Francona, who had once managed for the Phillies, will replace Grady Little who was not rehired. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Getty Images)
BOSTON - NOVEMBER 01: (L-R) Boston Red Sox owner John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino greet the fans before the Boston Bruins take on the Buffalo Sabres on November 1, 2007 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 2: President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox Larry Lucchino, (left), Red Sox principal own John Henry (center), and Red Sox chairmanTom Werner show off the World Series trophies to the crowd at Fenway Park before the Red Sox players board the duck boats for the World Series victory parade for the Boston Red Sox on November 2, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Gail Oskin/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 02: President and Chief Exective Officer Larry Lucchino of the Boston Red Sox holds up the World Series trophy during the World Series victory parade on November 2, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: Larry Lucchino, former president of the Boston Red Sox, smiles as he talks to David Ortiz before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on September 22, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
TOKYO - MARCH 21: President and Chief Exective Officer Larry Lucchino of Boston Red Sox speaks to the media at Tokyo Dome on March 21, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox are playing their opening games in Tokyo on March 25 and 26. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: Larry Lucchino, former president of the Boston Red Sox, smiles as he poses for a photograph before a game with the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on September 22, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 27: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox lifts up Larry Lucchino as Lucchino was being honored for his last home game as Red Sox CEO/President before a game against the Baltimore Orioles Fenway Park on September 27, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 2-0. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 19: (L-R) President/CEO Larry Lucchino, Principal Owner John Henry and Chairman Tom Werner of the Boston Red Sox talk with the media during a Spring Training Workout Session at the Red Sox Player Development Complex on February 19, 2011 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 27: Larry Lucchino talks to Allen Craig #5 as Lucchino was being honored for his last home game as Red Sox CEO/President before a game against the Baltimore Orioles Fenway Park on September 27, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 2-0. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON - NOVEMBER 02: Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, players Clay Buchholz,Jacoby Ellsbury,Tim Wakefield, Manny DelCarmen and team owner John Henry pose with the World Series trophy before the Boston Celtics home opener against the Washington Wizards on November 2, 2007 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 03: Jim Corsi, Dr. Charles Steinberg, Pedro Martinez and Larry Lucchino attend 2nd Annual Pedro Martinez Charity Gala at The Colonnade Boston Hotel on November 3, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images for Pedro Martinez Charity)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 27: John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino watch a video tribute as Lucchino was being honored for his last home game as Red Sox CEO/President before a game against the Baltimore Orioles Fenway Park on September 27, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 2-0. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 4: President/Chief Executive Officer Larry Lucchino of the Boston Red Sox before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 4, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 29: Former Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, current president Sam Kennedy, and former player David Ortiz walk off of the field after a pregame ceremony before a game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on August 29, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
The first pitch is at 2:10 p.m. this afternoon, but fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 1:30 p.m. because on top of the home opener festivities. The teams will be introduced along the baselines, the National Anthem will be performed by the Boston Fire Department quartet and will feature a flyover by two F-35′s and one KC-46 from Vermont’s and New Hampshire’s Air National Guards.
Also before the game, members of the 2004 World Series championship team will be presented with the “Reversed the Curse” sign by state and city leaders at the Hotel Commonwealth. Then they are going to take one more ride on the duck boats to Fenway Park.
Wakefield’s number 49 will be worn by players on their jerseys throughout the season. All fans attending today’s game will receive a special navy blue, heart-shaped pin, featuring the knuckleballer’s number.
Al Horford stepped up for Boston in Game 5, and now the real test begins for the Celtics, who will likely be without their starting center for the conference semifinals.
The NBA playoffs won't feature LeBron James, Kevin Durant or Stephen Curry in the second round for the first time since 2005. But there's still plenty more basketball to enjoy this postseason.
