10TH ANNUAL FLEETBOSTON
OLDTIME BASEBALL GAME

Held Thursday, 14 August 2003, in Cambridge, MA


Some of Greater Boston’s finest amateur baseball players assembled at St. Peter’s Field, Sherman St., North Cambridge on Thursday, 14 August for the 10th Annual Fleet Boston Oldtime Baseball Game. This year’s game was played as a fundraiser for the Massachusetts Special Olympics.

  This year near perfect weather provided the backdrop for the local college level baseball talent that donned the uniforms of yesteryear, playing what has become well know as a great evening of hometown summer baseball.  

What makes the Oldtime Baseball Game so special is the glittering array of old-style flannel uniforms worn by the players. Used just once a year for the Oldtime Baseball Game, the uniforms represent such long-ago teams as the Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Browns and Boston Braves. Negro League teams are represented by the Kansas City Monarchs, Baltimore Elite Giants and Homestead Grays. Even long-ago minor-league teams are represented, including the San Francisco Seals, Oakland Oaks and Roswell Rockets.

Brendan Grant Tribute at the Oldtime Baseball Game

During the summer of 2001, the Greater Boston sports community was stunned by the tragic death of Belmont native Brendan Grant, a 19-year-old baseball player who had just finished his freshman season at American International College. While playing left field for his Belmont Senior Babe Ruth League team on June 27, Brendan suffered fatal injuries when he collided with his center fielder in a game against Arlington.

One of this year's players, Matt McEvoy, played baseball with Brendan at Belmont High School. Matt is a 2003 Holy Cross graduate who was playing in his fourth and  final Oldtime Baseball Game this year.  Joining him on the field as one of the umpires for this year's game was Glenn Hollowood, who is another long-time teammate from Brendan's early year's of baseball.

Though Brendan never played in the Oldtime Baseball Game, he was a posthumous selection to the 2001 game. In a pre-game ceremony in 2001, a commemorative banner was unveiled in left field, containing Brendan’s name and his uniform number from his days at Belmont High School – No. 1. The Brendan Grant banner will remain on the left-field fence for each edition of the Game.

In addition to the special ceremony that was held in Brendan's honor at the 2001 game, other honors included his picture being featured on the 2001 program cover, a short write-up within the game program,  opening ceremony remarks in 2001 by his Father, Casey Grant, and the aforementioned banner on the outfield fence that is to be displayed at each year's game.  Many were on hand to enjoy this tribute in 2001.  Details are also available from last year's 2002 event by clicking here.

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