Fenway Park is renowned for its unique home run records, and Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story added a new chapter during Monday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Remarkable Play
In the sixth inning, Story hit a fly ball down the right-field line that initially appeared to be heading foul. Guardians right fielder Jhonkensy Noel reached for the ball near the foul pole, which looked as if it slipped off his glove and bounced onto the outfield wall. The play was misjudged as foul, and Noel casually tossed the ball back to the infield, complying with the on-field call.
Replay Review
However, the situation took a turn when the Red Sox challenged the foul call. Upon review, it was determined that the ball had actually hit off Noel’s glove and flew directly into the foul pole, affectionately known as the Pesky Pole, honoring former Red Sox shortstop Johnny Pesky.
This revelation transformed what was viewed as a foul ball into a solo home run, allowing the Red Sox to increase their lead to 6-3, thrilling the Fenway crowd. Boston ultimately triumphed over the Guardians with a final score of 6-4.
Record-Breaking Moment
The Pesky Pole is uniquely positioned just 302 feet from home plate, making it the shortest distance for a home run in Major League Baseball. It has witnessed some of the shortest home runs during the Statcast era, and Story’s hit on Monday has now secured a place in that lineup.
According to MLB’s Sarah Langs, this home run stands as the shortest in the 2025 season and ranks as the second-shortest recorded since the introduction of Statcast in 2015. Story’s fly ball may not have traveled far, but it certainly found its mark, earning him a notable spot in the history of the Pesky Pole.
