It's hard for any current player to fully grasp the magnitude of the Red Sox opening a season as World Series champions for the first time since 1918. But nobody has a better understanding of the situation than knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, the longest-tenured member of the 2005 Sox.

Wakefield, who first arrived in Boston in 1995 and has been going strong ever since, will take the ball in what figures to be the most special opener in the history of Fenway Park.

The highlight of the day figures to occur roughly 45 minutes before the first pitch, when the Red Sox officially receive their rings. A few minutes later, the World Series banner will be raised.

"When we were doing the rings, picking out what we wanted our rings to look like, they gave me a call and asked me what I thought," said Sox center fielder Johnny Damon. "You know what? I said let Wake do it. Wake is what Boston is about. He's been here through the good times and the bad times. He has the longest tenure. I think he's going to do well."

The Yankees have a pretty good veteran pitcher of their own taking the mound in Mike Mussina.

As for Wakefield, it's hard to remember the years when he wasn't around.

Fittingly, he will achieve another part of Red Sox history during Monday's start, when he becomes just the second pitcher to make 200 appearances at Fenway Park, surpassing Roger Clemens and moving in to sole possession of second place behind Bob Stanley (321 Fenway appearances) in that category.

"That's going to be awesome for him," said Sox first baseman Kevin Millar. "He's been here for 11 years, he deserves that. We're excited for him. Plus he throws well against the Yankees, so we're going to try and go out there and get a 'W'."

The Sox could use one of those after struggling to a 2-4 start in the season-opening road trip through New York and Toronto.

Aside from the ring ceremony and the banner presentation, musicians from the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops will perform the national anthem. After the anthem, there will be a flyover with four F-16 jets flown by the Green Mountain Boys of the Vermont Air National guard.

Then, there will be yet another game in the heated rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees.

Wakefield will try and make the Sox victorious in their home opener for the first time since 2001, when Manny Ramirez made his introduction to Boston by belting a three-run homer in his first at-bat with the team.

Pitching matchup
NYY: RHP Mike Mussina
• 0-0, 3.00 ERA in 2005
• 0-0, 3.00 ERA vs. BOS in 2005

BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield
• 0-0, 2.70 ERA in 2005
• 0-0, 2.70 ERA vs. NYY in 2005

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• NYY: YES
• BOS: NESN

On radio
• BOS: WEEI-850 AM
• NYY: WCBS-880 AM

On deck
• Wednesday: vs. Yankees, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: vs. Yankees, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: vs. Devil Rays, 7:05 p.m. ET