Take Me Out to the Boston Ballgame: Fenway Traditions for Real Fans
Adam M. Young
| March 7, 2023
There is nothing quite like the experience of taking in a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, and a lot of it has to do with all the traditions and rituals that come with attending a game there. In addition to the rich history of the venue that was home to Carl Yastrzemski, Ted Williams, Wade Boggs and David Ortiz, fans’ quirky traditions make going to Fenway a memorable experience.
At Fenway, good times never seemed so good. Sure, all ballparks have the seventh inning stretch, but only Fenway has its own, Neil-Diamond-inspired tradition during the eighth inning. Before the bottom of the eighth, the whole crowd sings along to “Sweet Caroline,” calling out after each refrain (So good! So good!). The playing of the song became an official tradition in 2002 and has been played at every home game ever since. Neil Diamond himself has even been to the park to do the song live, a thrill for all the fans in attendance.
If you’re lucky enough to be at Fenway for a win, you’ll surely hear Standells song “Dirty Water,” the Red Sox victory song. Also, keep your ears out for "Tessie" by the Dropkick Murphys, and "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night, songs that are played on a regular basis at home games.
Everyone knows the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees have a hate/hate relationship, and the Sox defend their turf, even when the Yankees aren’t playing. Word to the wise for Yankee fans going to a game there: Don’t wear a Yankee shirt at Fenway Park. Ever. Even as a joke. They don’t think it’s funny. And if you attend a game against the Yankees and you happen to catch a home run off the bat of someone in pinstripes, throw that ball back onto the field, or you’ll face the wrath of the Fenway faithful.
A couple of traditions to note while you’re in the stands at Fenway: The right-field foul pole is known as Pesky’s Pole, named for infielder Johnny Pesky who played for the Red Sox in the 30s and 40s. Fans traditionally take a Sharpie and sign the pole when they are sitting in the outfield, so bring one along if you’re seated nearby.
When your seats are within touching distance of the Green Monster, the infamous, 37-foot-high left-field wall, you have to rub your hands across the metallic green surface. If it is your first visit to Fenway, this action is sure to bring both you and the team good luck.
The Red Sox have had a home game scheduled on Patriot’s Day almost every year since 1960. Traditionally, this game starts in the morning, usually at 11:05. As big of a deal as this is, it isn’t the biggest deal in Boston on the third Monday of April each year — that honor goes to the running of the Boston Marathon, widely known as the most famous marathon in the world. Keep this in mind and plan accordingly if you’re heading into the city that day. In a word: traffic.
When it comes to any game at Fenway, prepare to be in it for the long haul. Real fans do not leave before the end of a game, even if the score is a blowout either way. Boston Red Sox fans get really loud during the eighth inning.
There are several quirky traditions when it comes to fan behavior and concessions. Be prepared to stock up on beer as you approach the end of the game, because all beer vendors close up during the seventh inning. Also, it is a tradition to buy a bag of peanuts at Fenway. The vendor will throw them to you from a great distance and then somehow remember who you are when he comes around to collect the money. If you don’t catch the peanuts, be prepared to be booed.
You can’t leave Fenway without experiencing the Fenway Frank. This iconic ballpark hot dog is boiled, and then slightly grilled to make for the perfect crispy bite.
So grab your glove, put on your Red Sox shirt, and head on down to 4 Yawkey Way to catch a game with a real American team, the Boston Red Sox. This cozy gathering with 37,730 of your newest friends is an event you’ll never forget.
The Music
At Fenway, good times never seemed so good. Sure, all ballparks have the seventh inning stretch, but only Fenway has its own, Neil-Diamond-inspired tradition during the eighth inning. Before the bottom of the eighth, the whole crowd sings along to “Sweet Caroline,” calling out after each refrain (So good! So good!). The playing of the song became an official tradition in 2002 and has been played at every home game ever since. Neil Diamond himself has even been to the park to do the song live, a thrill for all the fans in attendance.
If you’re lucky enough to be at Fenway for a win, you’ll surely hear Standells song “Dirty Water,” the Red Sox victory song. Also, keep your ears out for "Tessie" by the Dropkick Murphys, and "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night, songs that are played on a regular basis at home games.
The Rivalry
Everyone knows the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees have a hate/hate relationship, and the Sox defend their turf, even when the Yankees aren’t playing. Word to the wise for Yankee fans going to a game there: Don’t wear a Yankee shirt at Fenway Park. Ever. Even as a joke. They don’t think it’s funny. And if you attend a game against the Yankees and you happen to catch a home run off the bat of someone in pinstripes, throw that ball back onto the field, or you’ll face the wrath of the Fenway faithful.
The Stands
A couple of traditions to note while you’re in the stands at Fenway: The right-field foul pole is known as Pesky’s Pole, named for infielder Johnny Pesky who played for the Red Sox in the 30s and 40s. Fans traditionally take a Sharpie and sign the pole when they are sitting in the outfield, so bring one along if you’re seated nearby.
When your seats are within touching distance of the Green Monster, the infamous, 37-foot-high left-field wall, you have to rub your hands across the metallic green surface. If it is your first visit to Fenway, this action is sure to bring both you and the team good luck.
The Schedule
The Red Sox have had a home game scheduled on Patriot’s Day almost every year since 1960. Traditionally, this game starts in the morning, usually at 11:05. As big of a deal as this is, it isn’t the biggest deal in Boston on the third Monday of April each year — that honor goes to the running of the Boston Marathon, widely known as the most famous marathon in the world. Keep this in mind and plan accordingly if you’re heading into the city that day. In a word: traffic.
When it comes to any game at Fenway, prepare to be in it for the long haul. Real fans do not leave before the end of a game, even if the score is a blowout either way. Boston Red Sox fans get really loud during the eighth inning.
The Food
There are several quirky traditions when it comes to fan behavior and concessions. Be prepared to stock up on beer as you approach the end of the game, because all beer vendors close up during the seventh inning. Also, it is a tradition to buy a bag of peanuts at Fenway. The vendor will throw them to you from a great distance and then somehow remember who you are when he comes around to collect the money. If you don’t catch the peanuts, be prepared to be booed.
You can’t leave Fenway without experiencing the Fenway Frank. This iconic ballpark hot dog is boiled, and then slightly grilled to make for the perfect crispy bite.
So grab your glove, put on your Red Sox shirt, and head on down to 4 Yawkey Way to catch a game with a real American team, the Boston Red Sox. This cozy gathering with 37,730 of your newest friends is an event you’ll never forget.
1-63-16
Jun 4
Tuesday, June 4
Tue •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 5
Wednesday, June 5
Wed •
1:35 PM
1:35 PM
1-63-16
Jun 11
Tuesday, June 11
Tue •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 12
Wednesday, June 12
Wed •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 13
Thursday, June 13
Thu •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 14
Friday, June 14
Fri •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 15
Saturday, June 15
Sat •
7:15 PM
7:15 PM
1-63-16
Jun 16
Sunday, June 16
Sun •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 24
Monday, June 24
Mon •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 25
Tuesday, June 25
Tue •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 26
Wednesday, June 26
Wed •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 28
Friday, June 28
Fri •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 29
Saturday, June 29
Sat •
4:10 PM
4:10 PM
1-63-16
Jun 30
Sunday, June 30
Sun •
1:35 PM
1:35 PM
1-63-16
Jul 9
Tuesday, July 9
Tue •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jul 10
Wednesday, July 10
Wed •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jul 11
Thursday, July 11
Thu •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jul 12
Friday, July 12
Fri •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jul 13
Saturday, July 13
Sat •
4:10 PM
4:10 PM
1-63-16
Jul 14
Sunday, July 14
Sun •
1:35 PM
1:35 PM
2-23-25
Jul 20
Saturday, July 20
Sat •
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
2-22-25
Jul 21
Sunday, July 21
Sun •
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
2-62-25
Jul 23
Tuesday, July 23
Tue •
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
1-63-16
Jul 26
Friday, July 26
Fri •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jul 27
Saturday, July 27
Sat •
7:15 PM
7:15 PM
1-63-16
Jul 28
Sunday, July 28
Sun •
1:35 PM
1:35 PM
1-63-16
Jul 29
Monday, July 29
Mon •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jul 30
Tuesday, July 30
Tue •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Jul 31
Wednesday, July 31
Wed •
4:10 PM
4:10 PM
2-62-25
Aug 5
Monday, August 5
Mon •
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
2-22-25
Aug 7
Wednesday, August 7
Wed •
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
1-63-16
Aug 9
Friday, August 9
Fri •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Aug 10
Saturday, August 10
Sat •
4:10 PM
4:10 PM
1-63-16
Aug 11
Sunday, August 11
Sun •
1:35 PM
1:35 PM
1-63-16
Aug 12
Monday, August 12
Mon •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Aug 13
Tuesday, August 13
Tue •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Aug 14
Wednesday, August 14
Wed •
6:10 PM
6:10 PM
1-63-16
Aug 23
Friday, August 23
Fri •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Aug 24
Saturday, August 24
Sat •
4:10 PM
4:10 PM
1-63-16
Aug 25
Sunday, August 25
Sun •
1:35 PM
1:35 PM
1-63-16
Aug 26
Monday, August 26
Mon •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Aug 27
Tuesday, August 27
Tue •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Aug 28
Wednesday, August 28
Wed •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Aug 29
Thursday, August 29
Thu •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Sep 6
Friday, September 6
Fri •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Sep 7
Saturday, September 7
Sat •
7:15 PM
7:15 PM
1-63-16
Sep 8
Sunday, September 8
Sun •
1:35 PM
1:35 PM
1-63-16
Sep 9
Monday, September 9
Mon •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Sep 10
Tuesday, September 10
Tue •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Sep 11
Wednesday, September 11
Wed •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Sep 20
Friday, September 20
Fri •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Sep 21
Saturday, September 21
Sat •
4:10 PM
4:10 PM
1-63-16
Sep 22
Sunday, September 22
Sun •
1:35 PM
1:35 PM
1-63-16
Sep 27
Friday, September 27
Fri •
7:10 PM
7:10 PM
1-63-16
Sep 28
Saturday, September 28
Sat •
4:10 PM
4:10 PM
1-63-16
Sep 29
Sunday, September 29
Sun •
3:05 PM
3:05 PM