Red Sox to commemorate anniversary of marathon bombings

Maureen Mullen | Boston.com Correspondent

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox will pay tribute to last year’s marathon tragedy in a ceremony before their 7:05 p.m. game this Sunday, April 20, at Fenway Park. The brief tribute is set to begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. ESPN is scheduled to televise the game.

The club intends to acknowledge the support that has come to Boston from across the nation in the aftermath of the tragedy, illustrate how far some of the wounded have come in the past year, and salute the heroes who saved lives and have helped the city heal.

The ceremonies will include a remembrance of Krystle Campbell, Martin Richard, Lingzi Lu, and Officer Sean Collier.

The University of Massachusetts Marching Band and the Boston Pipers Society will perform a piece called “Highland Cathedral,” and they will also perform the national anthem as the crowd sings along together. Members of the Boston Police Department, Watertown Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police will carry the colors.

A series of canvases bearing inscriptions of good will from all 50 United States, along with all Major League Baseball teams and members of Congress, will line the outfield warning track.

Sunday’s Ceremonial First Pitch will honor civic and business leaders who quickly and successfully started the One Fund Boston. John Hancock Financial Services, which was instrumental in its creation, is a presenting sponsor of this weekend’s games.

On Patriots Day, the Red Sox will present a traditional 11:05 a.m. game, inaugurating a new tradition, with “Boston” appearing on the front of the Red Sox home jerseys, as it did for the first time on last year’s Marathon tribute at Fenway Park on April 20, 2013.

Gates open 1 ½ hours before the games. The four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles begins Friday evening at 7:10 p.m. and continues Saturday afternoon at 1:35 p.m.

As always, and especially during Patriots Day weekend, the Red Sox encourage fans to take the T and use the new Commuter Rail options. In addition to the Kenmore and Fenway stops on the MBTA’s Green Line, the new Yawkey Station on the Commuter Rail’s Framingham/Worcester line now offers 40 regularly scheduled stops per day.