Wally the Green Monster
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Wally the Green Monster is the official mascot for the Boston Red Sox Major League Baseball team. The etymology of his name is derived from the Green Monster nickname of the 37-foot wall in left field at Fenway Park. Wally debuted in 1997 to the chagrin of many older Red Sox fans. Although he was a hit with children, the older fans did not immediately adopt him as part of the franchise. As of 2006, Wally has become a popular mascot for fans of all ages, largely due to broadcaster Jerry Remy creating stories about him and sharing them during televised games.
[edit] Biography
According to the Red Sox promotions department, Wally was a huge Red Sox fan who decided to move inside the left field wall of Fenway Park since it "eats up" hits that would easily be home runs at other parks in 1947. Apparently, he was very shy and lived the life of a hermit for 50 years. On the 50th anniversary of the Green Monster in 1997, he came out of the manual scoreboard and has been interacting with players and fans ever since.[1]
[edit] Use of Wally in public relations
- On Kid's Opening Day in 1997, Wally appeared on the field to greet younger fans at Fenway Park. He also threw the ceremonial first pitch and was lustily booed by many fans.
- Wally plush toys have been given out to young fans at numerous home games.
- Jerry Remy has been discussing Wally's fictitious adventures during almost every televised Red Sox broadcast since 2002. During that time, Remy has had a miniature Wally doll sitting in a miniature white Adirondack chair in front of him in the booth, which has been known to sit upside down during rallies. Remy has also written a book about Wally's adventures published by Mascot Publications in 2006.
- Wally makes appearances at many of the charities and organizations in which the Red Sox are involved, particularly the Jimmy Fund and the Boys and Girls Club of America.
- Wally's Build-A-Bear Workshop make-your-own-mascot shop isn't at Fenway Park, but rather at the Build-A-Bear store in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which is the only mascot to have a year-round store.
