While the Celtics’ 18th NBA championship commanded the Boston sports spotlight in 2024, it was far from the only game in town.
Boston Globe photographers were on assignment at sports events just about every day of the year, from high school complexes to Fenway Park, TD Garden, Gillette Stadium, and all kinds of venues in between.
Here’s a look at the year in sports through the lens of the Globe’s sports photographers.
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Montreal’s Jordan Harris and Boston’s Brad Marchand tangled in the first period of a clash between the rival franchises on Jan. 20. The Bruins won, 9-4.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
In the Division 5 high school football Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium, Shawsheen Valley Tech’s Brayton Carbone can only see what might have been as he stares down a long pass he was not able to catch. Despite that, Shawsheen defeated Foxborough for the championship.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had his No. 12 retired in June, at a ceremony honoring his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Bishop Feehan girls’ basketball players celebrate with the MIAA championship trophy after they defeated Wachusett in the Division 1 state championship game in Lowell in March.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Boston Latin boys’ hockey player Joplin Murphy absorbed the moment after the Wolfpack defeated Tewksbury in the MIAA Division 2 championship game at TD Garden in March. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers learned firsthand how good the Celtics were in February, when Kristaps Porzingis (right) and Derrick White (left) helped Boston to a 117-99 victory at TD Garden. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
The action in Game 4 of the NBA Finals from Dallas brought fans out of their seats at a watch party at TD Garden. Erin Clark/Globe Staff
Al Horford and the Celtics defeated the Mavericks in five games in the NBA Finals, celebrating on June 17.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Boston College High football players lined up for the pledge of allegiance before their Thanksgiving game at Catholic Memorial. BC High lost, 31-19.Andrew Burke-Stevenson for The Boston Globe
In October, cheerleaders huddled during Lewiston High varsity football game against Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
In June, diver Oleksiy Prygorov competed in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Boston. Athletes leaped from a platform tower attached to the roof of the Institute of Contemporary Art. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Boston College receiver Lewis Bond was upended after a long reception for a first down during the first quarter of a November game against Pittsburgh. BC won, 34-23.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Red Sox pitcher Chris Martin was left on his back after he caught a line drive for the third out in the eighth inning of a May game against the Rays. The Red Sox won, 5-4.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Gage Anastasio posed for a photo that was included in a collection of fan portraits during the NBA Finals in June. Erin Clark/Globe Staff
Sebastian Cantoni and Romina Cornejo shared a kiss after crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon in April.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
A puck flipped over the boards by Bruins captain Brad Marchand toward a group of children was all the rage before a game in October at TD Garden.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw an incomplete pass as he was brought down by Maliek Collins (bottom) and Leonard Floyd (top) during the 49ers’ victory in September.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
In June, Jarren Duran hit a double to give the Red Sox a walk-off victory over the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Figure skater Skylar Lautowa-Peguero performed at the Skating Club of Boston’s “Summer Sizzler” event in August. The event capped a training camp held by US Figure Skating at the facility in Norwood.Andrew Burke-Stevenson for The Boston Globe
The 45th Pan-Mass Challenge in August saw bicyclists leave before sunrise to beat the heat for the 77-mile leg from Bourne to Provincetown. Behind them is the Cape Cod Railroad Bridge.Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff
Jessica Digirolamo and Kaleigh Fratkin celebrated after Boston’s PWHL team scored late in the third period to defeat Montreal in its final regular-season home game, ultimately earning the team — rechristened the Fleet — a playoff berth.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown was called for an offensive foul against Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (left) on this drive in Game 4 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics won, 105-102, and swept the Pacers out of the playoffs.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Fans cheer as Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla’s duck boat drives by during the parade to celebrate Boston’s 18th NBA championship in June.Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe
Jayson Tatum held the Larry O’Brien Trophy for fans to see during the duck boat parade to celebrate the Celtics’ NBA championship in June.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock used a training tool during spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., in February.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Tennis players wore clothes and used rackets from the 1920s at a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first tennis game in America at the Nahant Tennis Club in July.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Joseph Case High School quarterback Lucas Beaulieu throws against West Bridgewater’s defense during an October game.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
In the 140th edition of “The Game,” in November, Yale’s sideline erupted after receiver David Pantelis caught a long pass for a first down in the second half. Yale defeated Harvard, 34-29.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley celebrated after his team defeated Illinois at TD Garden to win the NCAA East Regional in March. UConn went on to win a second straight national championship in April.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
The Savanah Bananas’ national tour included a stop at Fenway Park in June.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Quarterback Drake Maye walks off the field at halftime of the Patriots’ game in October against the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. Jacksonville won, 32-16. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Forward Jayson Tatum held the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the locker room after the Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship in June.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
As we reckon with summer’s departure, there are a variety of fun-filled events to welcome the first signs of fall. Visit two “carnivals,” each with its own twist: huzzah and hurrah with medieval jest at the Brighton Bazaar’s Knight Carnival or tinker and test interactive exhibits at the Cambridge Science Carnival. Also, Somerville celebrates its prized, local invention, Marshmallow Fluff, with the 20th annual Fluff Festival, complete with sticky games and extra sugary challenges.
Here are six no-cost activities and events for the week of Sept. 15-21, as well as two ways to save on the arts this season.
BOOK LOVERS UNITE If a book club had a silent disco equivalent, it might be the Boston Figurative Art Center’s BYOBook event. Unlike a traditional book club, everyone brings whatever book they’re currently reading to a guided discussion with fellow readers from 7-7:30 p.m. After, attendees are welcomed to read as they please on the studio’s couches or lounge area. Snacks and beverages from the studio will be available. Sept. 17, 7-9 p.m. Boston Figurative Art Center, 285 Washington St., Somerville. bostonfac.com
Medieval Merriment founder Elsa the Fool poses with her puppet, Fish Sticks, who will be featured at the Knight Market.Elsa the Fool
KNIGHT MARKET The Brighton Bazaar, in collaboration with roving merchant curators Medieval Merriment, will transform into the first-ever Knight Carnival for a night of Middle Ages-themed mischief. Immerse yourself in a live sword fight between armored knights from local melee club North Horde, a creature puppet show, fantasy-inspired musicians, a site-wide scavenger hunt, and a costume contest for attendees dressed in their Ren Faire best. If you have gold in your inventory to spend, vendors will be selling trinkets all night. Sept. 18, 5-10 p.m. Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton. facebook.com/thebrightonbazaar
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AUTUMN LEAVES The Boston Landing Fall Crawl celebrates the arrival of the season with a reptile show with snakes and lizards, pony rides, and pumpkin decorating. DJ Dukes will play a live set from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and country singer Louis Bello will pick up from 2-4 p.m. Meanwhile, from noon-2 p.m., attendees can join a line dancing lesson. Churros are on the house (while supplies last), and barbecue eats and other Southern staples will be available for purchase. Sept. 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Boston Landing, 92 Guest St. bostonlanding.co
Attendees at Fluff Festival engage in a game of Fluff jousting.Fluff Festival
MARSHMALLOW MADNESS Don’t expect to come out of this one clean: Somerville, the birthplace of Marshmallow Fluff, celebrates this sticky-sweet legacy with the 20th annual Fluff Festival. In addition to live music and entertainment, the event will host unique games for prizes, including Fluff jousting, where participants use pool noodles with Fluff to knock others off a balance beam, and a Fluff hair-styling contest, where Fluff and Teddy peanut butter are provided for contestants to style the best ’do. .Attendees who arrive by cycle can access two free bike valets — one in front of Gracie’s Ice Cream and another by the intersection of Somerville Avenue and School Street. The fest is free to attend, but marshmallow-y foods and drinks will be available for purchase. Sept. 20, 2-6 p.m. 366 Somerville Ave., Somerville. flufffestival.com
UP, UP, AND AWAY The City of Quincy celebrates its 400th birthday with a Hot Air Balloon and Laser Light Show at Merrymount Park. On Pageant Field, attendees can play lawn games or journey 60 feet in the air in tethered hot air balloons. Meanwhile, roving costumed performers and food trucks can be found on Adams Field. At 9 p.m., the laser show begins, projecting streams and beams onto the overhead balloons and trees. Sept. 20, 4-10 p.m. Merrymount Park, Quincy. Reserve free balloon ride vouchers on the event’s website. quincy400.com
Many robotics demonstrations can be found at the Cambridge Science Carnival.Michael J Clarke/Cambridge Science Carnival
SCIENTIFIC WONDERS More than 150 booths showcasing STEAM’s finest (and most fun) will occupy the 17th annual Cambridge Science Carnival. Visit a robot petting zoo — featuring robots of the underwater, basketball, and gummy bear varieties — check out hands-on booths to make stomp rockets, sugar glass, or bath bombs. Members of the MIT Physics Department will perform demonstrations at 1 and 3:15 p.m., and the hosts of the “Tumble Science” children’s podcast will perform interactive songs at 1:45 p.m. Sept. 21, noon-4 p.m. Kendall/MIT Open Space, 292 Main St., Cambridge. cambridgesciencecarnival.org
Deals and Steals
FINE FOR FIVE Starting Sept. 18, the Museum of Fine Arts kicks off its $5 Third Thursdays programming. On the third Thursday of each month, from 5-10 p.m., general admission is pay-as-you-wish with a $5 minimum. A crisp Lincoln grants access to the main galleries, as well as special after dark programming exclusive to each event — this month is Latinx Heritage Night featuring drop-in art sessions to make Puerto Rican beaded bracelets and Ex-Votos paintings, live sets by the Rafa Moreno Band and DJ Montro, and special spotlight talks and guided tours. mfa.org
SYMPHONY SEASON PASS Full-time Boston students with a valid college ID can take study breaks with an (award-winning) symphony when they purchase a $20 H+H Masterpass. The exclusive pass can be redeemed to access up to eight Handel and Haydn Society performances through the 2025-26 season. (Some exclusions apply.) handelandhaydn.org/concerts-tickets/masterpass
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Check individual event websites for the most up-to-date information.
Send info on free events and special offers at least 10 days in advance to ryan.yau@globe.com.
Walker Buehler’s Red Sox tenure came to an unceremonious end on August 29 when he was released to clear a roster spot for top prospect Payton Tolle to make his major league debut. His Phillies tenure, however, got off to a pretty good start Friday night.
Buehler, who signed a minor league deal with Philadelphia within a couple days of Boston cutting him, got the start at Citizens Bank Park against the Royals and delivered, holding Kansas City to one run on five hits while striking out three batters and walking just one in five innings. Philadelphia, won, 8-2, and Buehler got the win, marking his first such result since August 8, when he turned in one of his best performances in a Red Sox uniform and tossed six shutout innings in San Diego.
For Buehler, who owned a 5.45 ERA in 112 ⅓ innings for Boston, it was the third outing since July 1 in which he didn’t issue multiple walks. In 23 games (22 starts) for Boston, he issued free passes at a rate of 4.4 per nine innings. He also allowed 22 home runs.
The Phillies added Buehler to the mix in an effort to give their top starters — Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, Jesús Luzardo and Aaron Nola — some extra chances to rest down the stretch. For now, he’s slotting into Philadelphia’s rotation as a sixth option, but he could serve a bullpen role come October if he’s pitching well and manager Rob Thomson wants to try to tap into the playoff magic Buehler has provided throughout his career. The 31-year-old, who recorded the final out of the World Series last fall at Yankee Stadium, has a career 3.04 postseason ERA in 19 appearances and has pitched three times in the World Series.
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“He fits right into that mold of being a Philadelphia baseball player,” Buehler’s new teammate, Bryce Harper said, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb. “Just a lot of fun to be around him. Obviously, he’s pitched in big moments, deep into the postseason. So getting a guy like that in our clubhouse is huge for us. And he went out there and did a great job tonight.”
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