Democrat Leaders Booed at Red Sox Home Opener

Massachusetts governor and Boston mayor faced jeers from packed Fenway Park crowd.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:23am

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A dynamic, fragmented painting depicting the blurred figures of two politicians on a baseball field, surrounded by an agitated crowd in a riot of overlapping geometric shapes and vibrant colors, conveying the chaotic energy and partisan divisions of the moment.Partisan tensions boil over as Massachusetts' Democratic leaders face a chorus of boos from a packed Fenway Park crowd.Boston Today

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu were booed by over 36,000 fans at the Red Sox home opener on Friday. The two Democratic politicians were on the field for a pregame ceremony when the crowd showered them with relentless boos, with footage of the incident going viral on social media.

Why it matters

The booing of the state's Democratic leaders at a major sporting event highlights the ongoing political tensions and partisan divides in Massachusetts, where Republican gubernatorial candidates have seized on the incident as a political opportunity.

The details

Healey and Wu were on the field at Fenway Park before the Red Sox game against the San Diego Padres when the crowd began loudly booing them. Republican gubernatorial candidates Brian Shortsleeve and Mike Minogue both posted videos and comments on social media celebrating the jeers directed at the Democratic politicians.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, April 4, 2026 at the Red Sox home opener.

The players

Maura Healey

The Democratic governor of Massachusetts.

Michelle Wu

The Democratic mayor of Boston.

Brian Shortsleeve

A Republican candidate for Massachusetts governor.

Mike Minogue

Another Republican candidate for Massachusetts governor.

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What they’re saying

“Hey, everybody, coming to you from Fenway Park. Here's a quick update: It's a beautiful afternoon. The Red Sox are up by one. Maura Healey and Michelle Wu just got booed very loudly.”

— Brian Shortsleeve, Republican gubernatorial candidate

“Looks like fans want someone else up to bat.”

— Mike Minogue, Republican gubernatorial candidate

The takeaway

The booing of Healey and Wu at Fenway Park underscores the deep political divisions in Massachusetts, where Republican candidates have sought to capitalize on the incident to rally their base and criticize the state's Democratic leadership.