It's not every day you see Tom Brady make a tackle, never mind take down a teammate ... on a baseball field. But sometimes truth is stranger than fiction because that is exactly what happened on Monday afternoon.
The Patriots were invited to Fenway Park to celebrate their Super Bowl LI victory and throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Red Sox season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the guys, quite simply, had a fun day at the ballpark.
With the sun shining down, Tom, Robert Kraft, Rob Gronkowski, James White and Dion Lewis emerged from the outfield, Lombardi trophies in hand, and the crowd gave the Patriots a standing ovation as they made their way to the pitcher's mound. While Rob, James and Dion rocked their navy jerseys, Tom wore his white Super Bowl LI jersey, which Mr. Kraft returned to him earlier that day.
Tom hoisted the jersey in the air, but the glory of the moment only lasted a few seconds, as Gronk leapt up to snatch it out of his hands. Gronk took off running throughout the infield until Tom was able to bring him down. Luckily for Gronk, Tom let him off with just a laugh.
Tom was given first pitch honors, and Dustin Pedroia made the catch behind home plate. To the tune of a classic "Brady" chant, Tom went high over the plate for a solid return to his baseball days. Tom, Gronk, James, Dion and Mr. Kraft then kicked off what would be a winning day for the Red Sox with the two words baseball fans have been waiting all winter to hear: "Play ball."
For photos from Red Sox Opening Day, check out the gallery below.
FULL GALLERY
The New England Patriots were honored on the field at Fenway Park prior to the Rex Sox season opener on Monday, April 3, 2017.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and players Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady, James White and Dion Lewis display the team's five Super Bowl trophies before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots, from left, owner Robert Kraft, and players Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Dion Lewis and James White carry the team's five Super Bowl trophies during Boston Red Sox Home Opening Day ceremonies at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. The Red Sox face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the baseball game. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady displays his recovered jersey, which was stolen from the locker room after the Patriots' February Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Houston, during pregame ceremonies before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight End Rob Gronkowski jumps to take quarterback Tom Brady's recovered Super Bowl jersey as he jokes around during baseball Boston Red Sox Home Opening Day ceremonies at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. The Red Sox face the Pittsburgh Pirates. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola).
New England Patriots tight End Rob Gronkowski, right, grabs from quarterback Tom Brady the recovered jersey, which was stolen from the locker room after the Patriots' February Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Houston, before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight End Rob Gronkowski, front, grabs from quarterback Tom Brady the recovered jersey, which was stolen from the locker room after the Patriots' February Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Houston, before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. At rear is Patriots owner Robert Kraft. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs with quarterback Tom Brady's, far left, recovered Super Bowl jersey as they joke around during Boston Red Sox home opening day ceremonies at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. The Red Sox face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the baseball game. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight End Rob Gronkowski, right, runs from quarterback Tom Brady with Brady's recovered jersey, which was stolen from the locker room after the Patriots' February Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Houston, before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, chases tight End Rob Gronkowski, right, who had grabbed Brady's recovered jersey, which was stolen from the locker room after the Patriots' February Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Houston, during pregame ceremonies before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, tackles tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, who had grabbed Brady's recovered jersey, which was stolen from the locker room after the Patriots' February Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Houston, during pregame ceremonies before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, top, tackles teammate Rob Gronkowski after he ran with Brady's recovered Super Bowl jersey as they joke around during Boston Red Sox Home Opening Day ceremonies at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. The Red Sox face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the baseball game. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, displays his recovered jersey, which tight End Rob Gronkowski had grabbed during pregame ceremonies, before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. The jersey had been stolen from the locker room after the Patriots' February Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Houston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws the ceremonial first pitch during Boston Red Sox Home Opening Day ceremonies at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. The Red Sox face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the baseball game. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, greets Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell in the dugout after Red Sox Home Opening Day ceremonies at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. The Red Sox face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the baseball game. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, greets Boston Red Sox players in the dugout as manager John Farrell, left, looks on after Red Sox Home Opening Day ceremonies at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. The Red Sox face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the baseball game. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
