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The One Red Seat at Fenway (Yes, You Can Sit There)
If you’ve ever looked out over the sea of green at Fenway Park and wondered why there’s one lone red seat way out in the right-field bleachers… welcome to one of Boston’s favorite inside jokes. That splash of red, Section 42, Row 37, Seat 21, marks where a Ted Williams moonshot famously landed on June 9, 1946. The Sox later painted it red to commemorate the longest homer in Fenway history.
So… did Ted really hit it 502 feet?
The number you’ve heard forever is 502 feet. Modern re-measuring with ballpark lidar puts the physical spot of that seat at ~496 feet from home plate, but today’s standard projects a ball’s full flight “back to the ground.” By that method, analysts conclude Williams almost certainly hit it farther than 502, something like 525–530 feet. Translation: it’s epic no matter how you measure it.
There’s even a legendary add-on to the story: the ball drilled a visiting fan’s straw hat, leaving a perfect hole and sending him to the park infirmary (he reportedly declined to keep the souvenir). Boston folklore at its finest.
Can you buy the red seat?
Yes, if it’s available. The red seat is a normal, ticketed bleacher seat. If you snag Section 42, Row 37, Seat 21 for your game, it’s yours. Expect fellow fans to swing by for photos; it’s a landmark. Be cool, snap a pic, enjoy the view.
Quick how-to
- Look for Right Field Bleachers when you shop.
- Filter to Section 42 and check Row 37, Seat 21.
- Arrive early, people love to visit the seat even if they’re not sitting there.
Where to buy Red Sox tickets (without headaches)
- Official channels: Buy through MLB.com / the MLB Ballpark app. Resale through SeatGeek is fully integrated and guaranteed, which keeps transfers seamless on game day.
- Secondary option: TickPick is known for upfront pricing with no hidden fees shown at checkout, what you see is what you pay. Always compare final prices across sites.
Smart-fan tips
- Weekday games and less-marquee opponents are often cheaper.
- Last-minute can drop prices if the game isn’t hot.
- Standing Room is the budget play, Fenway sometimes offers SRO passes and deals; check the Sox site for specials.
How the red seat stacks up
Williams’ blast is the longest recognized at Fenway. Around the league, other titanic homers have been estimated longer (think Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle) but measuring methods and ballpark quirks vary wildly across eras, another reason modern re-projections make the Ted tale even more impressive.
Ted Williams, in a nutshell
Before he was a legend in red, the San Diego-born Williams became the gold standard for pure hitting: last MLB player to bat over .400 in a season (1941), 19-time All-Star, two MVPs, six batting titles, two Triple Crowns, and he lost prime seasons to serve as a Navy/Marine Corps aviator in WWII and Korea. After the war, he returned in ’46, won MVP, and launched that homer that still has its own seat.
Heading to Fenway from Newbury Guest House
One reason our guests love staying with us: Fenway is an easy 15–20-minute walk from our front door, close enough to feel the buzz, far enough for a quiet night’s sleep. Prefer wheels? It’s a quick ride. Either way, you’re game-day-ready in minutes.
Plan your “red seat” pilgrimage
- Check ticket listings for Section 42 • Row 37 • Seat 21.
- Get to the park early to soak in the view (and the lore).
- Snap the photo. Tell the story. You’re part of Fenway history now.
Stay with us at Newbury Guest House and make a true Boston day of it, coffee on Newbury, a stroll to the park, and a celebratory nightcap back on the block. That’s a home run.