Watch the Red Sox Opening Day ceremony honoring 1986 team

Ahead of the first Fenway game of the 2026 season, the Red Sox will pay tribute to the 1986 team that won the American League pennant.

Fenway Park opened its doors for a new season of baseball on Friday. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)

April 3, 2026 | 1:49 PM

2 minutes to read

After a long winter, baseball is finally back at Fenway Park.

And Alex Cora’s club could use some home cooking after opening the 2026 season with a 1-5 record on the road.

Fenway Park will open its gates once again on Friday afternoon as the Red Sox host Xander Bogaerts and the San Diego Padres — with Boston 73-52 (.584) all-time in their home opener, including 64-50 (.561) at Fenway Park.

“It’s always good to be home,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said pregame. “Special place with special fans. We’re hoping for a special season. Obviously, it didn’t go the way we wanted on that road trip, but we’re able to reset, unpack yesterday, catch up with the families, and do the things that you needed to do to set yourself up for a long season here, and then show up today

“It’s always cool, regardless of the weather. If the sun is out or not — or it’s 30 degrees or 70 degrees — it’s always special.”

As part of Opening Day festivities, the Red Sox will honor the 40th anniversary of the 1986 team that won the American League pennant.

Close to 25 players from that ‘86 team are set to return for the anniversary celebration, including: Tony Armas, Marty Barrett, Wade Boggs, Oil Can Boyd, Mike Brown, Steve Crawford, Pat Dodson, Dwight Evans, Rich Gedman, Bruce Hurst, Rene Lachemann, Tim Lollar, Spike Owen, Jim Rice, Ed Romero, Joe Sambito, Dave Sax, Calvin Schiraldi, Jeff Sellers, Bob Stanley, Mike Stenhouse, Marc Sullivan, Mike Trujillo, and Rob Woodward.

While first pitch against San Diego is slated for 2:10 p.m., fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 1:30 p.m. for the start of the ceremony.

You can watch Boston’s full Opening Day ceremony below:

Along with the ceremony honoring the ‘86 team, both the Red Sox and Padres’ full rosters will be announced along the baselines — while Boston native and Broadway actor Nik Walker will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The colors will be presented by members of the Vermont Army National Guard, Massachusetts Army and Air Force National Guard from Hanscom Air Force Base.

However, there will be no military flyover at Fenway once the national anthem is concluded. The Red Sox confirmed to WBZ that such a display is not planned this year.

“Amid the war with Iran, Senior Master Sgt. Michael Davis with the Vermont Air National Guard told WBZ-TV, ‘due to ongoing mission operations and commitments, our unit was unfortunately unable to provide support for this event today,” WBZ’s Neal Riley wrote.

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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