L.L.Bean and Fenway Park Celebrate 100 Years with Partnership and a Love of America's Favorite Pastime

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L.L.Bean

Mar 29, 2012, 09:00 ET

FREEPORT, Maine, March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of their 100th anniversaries this year, outdoor retailer L.L.Bean and Fenway Park are teaming up to celebrate a century of America's favorite outdoor pastime. With events and initiatives throughout 2012, fans will have the opportunity to join in as both L.L.Bean and Fenway Park celebrate this milestone, engaging in activities that pay tribute to "America's Most Beloved Ballpark" and L.L.Bean's 100-year passion and commitment to the outdoors.

To kick things off, the L.L.Bean Bootmobile will visit Boston and Kenmore Square for the first stop of the company's 2012 Bootmobile Tour on April 13th, celebrating with fans as they gather for opening day festivities. Red Sox fans will have the opportunity to take photos with the larger-than-life version of L.L.Bean's most iconic product, learn more about the company's 100th Anniversary initiatives, including those with Fenway Park, and receive fun giveaways for wearing L.L.Bean apparel.

Beginning in mid-April, a unique collection of baseball memorabilia from L.L.Bean's little-seen company archive in Freeport, ME will be on display in memorabilia cases within Fenway Park. L.L.Bean's founder, Leon Leonwood Bean, was an avid baseball fan, which is reflected in the vast collection of baseball memorabilia in the company's archive. Dating back 100 years, the baseball-related archival items reveal L.L.Bean's connection to a few of baseball's most unforgettable players. Baseball aficionados will discover photographs, illustration, and pieces of ephemera including personal correspondence to Leon from Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.

L.L.Bean and Fenway Park will jointly celebrate their 100th anniversaries with activities including:

The opportunity to win "The Ultimate Outdoor Experience", including participation in an outdoor activity with a current Red Sox player in Fenway Park, followed by a tour of the Park and tickets to the game that night.
"Red Sox Days" at select L.L.Bean retail locations in Massachusetts this June, including Red Sox ticket giveaways and special appearances from the L.L.Bean Bootmobile, Wally the Green Monster, and the Red Sox championship trophies.
L.L.Bean will continue to sponsor Red Sox home game rain delays in 2012, but with a new, 100th Anniversary-inspired signature tarp. The old rain delay tarp will be repurposed as limited edition L.L.Bean Boat & Totes, available for purchase this summer.

"An appreciation of the outdoors is part of our heritage, as is our strong connection to all things New England – including baseball, " said Steve Fuller, L.L.Bean Chief Marketing Officer. "In our 100th Anniversary year, we hope to inspire people to get outdoors and encourage a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts. We look forward to working with the Red Sox and Fenway Park to provide unique opportunities for New Englanders to engage in outdoor activities while feeding their passion for all things baseball."

"We're excited to team up with L.L.Bean, a long-time partner, as we both celebrate our 100th anniversaries in 2012," said Red Sox Executive Vice President/COO Sam Kennedy. "Fenway Park and L.L.Bean are two 'institutions' committed to helping to create meaningful experiences for fans, whether it be for those attending a ball game, or by providing the gear or instruction to pursue an outdoor activity. Our collaboration in 2012 will provide a unique opportunity to reflect on our histories – highlighting the moments and memorabilia connecting baseball and Fenway Park with the outdoors and L.L.Bean."

For more information about L.L.Bean and Fenway Park's 100th Anniversary initiatives and how you can get involved visit llbean.com or fenwaypark100.com.

About L.L.Bean, Inc.

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean still upholds the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. L.L.Bean products are rigorously tested, guaranteed to last and always shipped free. In the past five years, L.L.Bean has donated over $6 million toward conservation and land stewardship. The 200,000 sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, L.L.Bean Facebook, L.L.Bean Twitter and L.L.Bean YouTube.