Note: This is a virtual cache. There is no physical container to find! 

PLEASE READ THE GROUND RULES TO LOG THIS CACHE

or I will have to delete your log.  This is an easy virtual please read the groundrules for logging I hate deleting logs.

Welcome to Fenway Park

Home of the Boston Red Sox and the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived!

Here you will find a statue of Ted Williams, who was known around the park as The Kid, The Splendid Splinter, or The Thumper. This bronze sculpture of Ted Williams and child was created by Franc Talarico from Scranton PA and unveiled on April 16, 2004.  For years I have enjoyed visiting and attending a game at various ball parks around the country and have been surprised that there is never been a virtual here - well now that has been made right.  

Ted Williams (1918 - 2002) was a left fielder who wore #9 for the Boston Red Sox. He played for 19 seasons during the years 1939-1943 and 1943-1960. He was a .344 career hitter and amassed 521 home runs (Red Sox record) and 1,839 RBIs. Can you even imagine what his career numbers would have been had he not spent 5 years in the military?

Baseball Honors: At the age of 23 he hit a batting average of .406 for the season. Nobody has reached the .400 mark for a whole season since.

Williams once said, “A man has to have goals—for a day, for a lifetime—and that was mine, to have people say, ‘There goes Ted Williams, the greatest hitter who ever lived.’”. 

• He was a 18-Time All-Star
• 4 homerun titles
• 6 batting titles
• Won the American League Triple Crown in 1942 and 1947
• American League MVP in 1946 and 1949
• He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966
• May 29, 1984, 24 years after he retired from baseball, Ted was the first of two players to have their number retired by the Boston Red Sox

Military Service: In 1942, Ted was drafted and served in the United States Navy. After 2 years earning high marks during training, he obtained a commission in the United States Marine Corps where he served as a fighter pilot in World War II until 1946. From 1952-1953, he returned as a fighter pilot in the Korean War.

Jimmy Fund: Ted started working with the Jimmy Fund in the 1940s and went everywhere to support the cause. He was a relentless champion of children and helped make the Jimmy Fund at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute the world renowned center of research and care that it is today.

Ted Williams Tunnel: Created as part of the Big Dig project and connects I90 to East Boston. It opened in 1995 and is the third tunnel to travel under Boston Harbor. 

Boston Red Sox: Founded in 1901 as one of the 8 charter member teams of the American League. The team has won 9 World Series Championships in 2018, 2013, 2007, 2004, 1918, 1916, 1915, 1912, 1903. They are tied for the third most of any MLB team, and they have played in 13. My favorite players over the years have included Nomar Garciaparra, David 'Big Papi' Ortiz and now Kike Hernandez - maybe it's because Nomar and Kike both have worn number 5. Go Sox!!!

Fenway Park: America's oldest ballpark, and national treasure, has been home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912.  The park opened on April 20th, with little fanfare as the sinking of the Titanic five days earlier dominated the news coverage. Some highlights within the park are the Green Monster, the Pesky Pole and the red seat (have you ever sat in it - let me know in your log). 

As you are standing at the statue, you can imagine the announcer booming the welcome over the park loudspeakers:

'Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to Fenway Park'. 

Ground Rules

YOU WILL NEED TO VISIT FENWAY PARK IN ORDER TO CLAIM A FIND ON THIS VIRTUAL CACHE

To log this virtual cache, please include one of the following attached to your log:

• A photo of yourself and/or group with Ted and Child statue.  Photos of only the statue do not count - you must be in the picture - or I will unfortunately have to delete your log which I hate doing! (Please make sure you are with the correct statue - there are 3 - if you are really unsure it's the one all the way on the left if you are facing Fenway Park).  It is totally OK to take your selfie behind the lines that Fenway puts up when a game or concert is on - as long as the Ted Williams statue is in the picture with you.
  • The following photos DO NOT COUNT; with other statues (not Ted), inside the ballpark, outside the park in another location - as anyone could then log this virtual cache,  I'm sorry but I've had a few trying to get away with that who are not actually here and have logged the cache.  I've had to delete their logs - please don't make me have to do that to you.  Play Fair!
• Or a photo of a personal item with your geocaching name (if you are shy) with Ted and Child statue

Every log MUST have a photo with you or a personal item attached (please don't make me delete your log by not following this simple rule) WITH THE CORRECT STATUE (NOT INSIDE THE BALLPARK (unless you find the spot where you can get the statue in the picture), NOT ANOTHER STATUE OR ANY OTHER SPOT).  If you are with a group please share your photo among your members. You do not need to message me with your photo, please attach it to your log. I'm excited to see your logs and pictures and hope you've enjoyed your time here at America's oldest ballpark.  Go Sox!!!

BONUS POINTS IF YOU WEAR RED SOX GEAR

Home Run: Pja_cz - congratulations for your FTF

RBI: robar - congratulations for your STF

MVPs: capncrunch623 for making this his 1000th milestone

TinySuperman for making this his 7500th milestone

Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023

This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.