Red Sox invite Theo to game, not ceremony

According to a team source, former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has been invited to attend Friday's game, in which the Fenway Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Epstein was not, however, extended an invitation to participate in the pre-game ceremony, which was designated for uniformed personnel only. It is believed the invitation to attend the game was delivered via phone call.

According to another source, the invitation for Epstein to attend the game wasn't extended until Thursday afternoon.

Earlier Thursday, CSNNE.com r [1]eported that Epstein was not invited to Fenway Park for the celebration of the ballpark's centennial, with Red Sox principal owner John Henry expressing surprise that Epstein was not being invited back, something of which he was not aware until contacted by the website.

"Apparently we decided to just invite uniformed personnel," Henry told CSNNE.com, noting that the team hadn't invited former GMs Mike Port and Dan Duquette.

Friday marks the 100th anniversary of the first game ever played at Fenway Park on April 20, 1912. For the event, the Sox invited back all living uniformed personnel. The Red Sox released the following details of the event:

Both clubs will wear replicas of the uniforms they wore for that inaugural game, played on April 20, 1912.  All living Red Sox uniformed personnel (where whereabouts were known) were invited to participate.

Oscar-winning composer John Williams will conduct members of the Boston Pops in the debut of his new composition, "Fanfare for Fenway," in ceremonies that are expected to begin shortly after 2 p.m.  Gates will open at 12:30 p.m., a special opening time in light of the occasion.

Keith Lockhart will conduct members of the Boston Pops for the National Anthem as well as "Hymn to New England," also composed by Maestro Williams.

The details of the First Pitch Ceremony will not be announced in advance.

At the conclusion of the anthem, the Air Force's Heritage Flight team will fly in a four-ship formation fly-over that will include two F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base and two World War II era P-51 Mustangs.  Military personnel from Hanscom Air Force Base will be on hand to present the colors, which will be draped over the Green Monster.

Friday's ceremonies will also include a toast to Fenway Park.  When fans arrive at their seats, they will find a grape juice drink and cups beneath their seats or in cup holders.  The crowd will be invited to participate in the toast at the end of the pre-game ceremonies, in an attempt to set a world record for the largest toast in a single venue. Fans are asked to be in their seats by 2 p.m. to enjoy the pre-game ceremony and to participate in the toast.

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