The new Red Sox season hasn’t even gotten underway, and already the newly restored Pesky Pole at Fenway Park was defaced by a local fan. Of course, it was amid an array of cameras. And the fan is also the Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh.

On Thursday morning, as the mayor toured Fenway prior to the Red Sox’ season opener (scheduled for Monday), he took time to sign the recently renovated right field foul pole. With team president Sam Kennedy offering him a pen, Walsh was the first to sign the freshly painted Fenway landmark.

Pesky Pole, named after team legend Johnny Pesky, was temporarily dismantled after the 2016 season ended. It was taken to “an undisclosed location” for repairs and new coat of paint.


And the famous foul pole is back and ready to go for the 2017 season. The Red Sox open at home on Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 2:05 p.m.

Here’s a picture of the Pesky Pole from 2011 before it was renovated: