The Red Sox celebrated their 1986 team during pregame ceremonies at Fenway Park on Friday afternoon, marking the 40th anniversary of its American League championship.
Before the current Sox played the Padres in the home opener, two dozen players from the ’86 club emerged from the Green Monster and walked to the infield to steady applause. Wade Boggs, Dwight Evans, and Jim Rice in particular drew loud cheers.
Marty Barrett and Bruce Hurst threw out ceremonial first pitches (caught by Connor Wong and Garrett Crochet, respectively).
Also in attendance: Tony Armas, Oil Can Boyd, Mike Brown, Steve Crawford, Pat Dodson, Rich Gedman, Rene Lachemann, Tim Lollar, Spike Owen, Ed Romero, Joe Sambito, Dave Sax, Calvin Schiraldi, Jeff Sellers, Bob Stanley, Mike Stenhouse, Marc Sullivan, Mike Trujillo, Rob Woodward.
Walpole native Joe Morgan, 95, the bullpen coach in 1986 and manager from 1988-91, was on the field for the goings-on.
Other parts of the traditional game one hoopla included a video about the 250th anniversary of the United States, plus base line introductions for both teams (during which people walked out of the dugout and down a literal red carpet).
Among those drawing hearty cheers: Roman Anthony, Jason Varitek, Wilyer Abreu, Crochet, and Aroldis Chapman — plus the Padres’ Xander Bogaerts, who was playing at Fenway for the first time since leaving the Sox after the 2022 season.
A moment of silence tribute video honored Wilbur Wood, Dave Morehead, and Mike Greenwell, all of whom died since the Sox last played.
Members of the Vermont Army National Guard, Massachusetts Army, and Air Force National Guard from Hanscom Air Force Base presented the colors.
Boston native and Broadway actor Nik Walker sang the national anthem, during which an American flag was draped down the Green Monster.
Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey.