This being Big Papi’s final season in a Red Sox uniform, Monday’s home opener was an especially emotional affair, starting with the stirring rendition of the national anthem delivered by David Ortiz’s daughter.

In an attempt to honor Ortiz in a new and unusual way, the Sox surprised the slugger by having his 15-year-old daughtersing the national anthem. And she did not disappoint. Much as her dad has done over the course of his career, Alexandra Ortiz belted it out of the park, bringing the Fenway faithful to their feet — and her father nearly to tears.

Papi looked surprised — and perhaps a little worried — when his girl, wearing a No. 34 jersey, stepped to the microphone. In a GIF retweeted dozens of times Monday, Ortiz can be seen mouthing the words: “Oh, [expletive].’’ But when the anthem was over, a proud Papi wrapped his arms around his daughter.

To help Ortiz throw out the ceremonial first pitch, the Sox enlisted Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA titles with the Celtics, Bobby Orr, winner of two Stanley Cups with the Bruins, and Ty Law, a three-time Super Bowl champ with the Patriots. With varying degrees of velocity and accuracy, they all tossed a baseball toward home plate. Where was Tom Brady? We don’t know, but some fans were grumbling about his absence.

The outcome aside, it was a special day at the ballpark, and the crowd was buzzing.

Dick Flavin, the 79-year-old poet laureate of the Red Sox, has been coming to opening day at Fenway for several decades. His first was with his father in 1945. Despite a raw day better suited for a rugby match, Flavin was feeling upbeat.

“A year ago today I was brimming with confidence about this team,’’ said Flavin. “And it’s the same this year.’’

Fashion designer Joseph Abboud, wearing a good-looking shearling jacket of his own making, was at the game with his daughter, Ari, a senior at Boston College. Abboud said dressing for early-season games can be tricky.

“You want to stay warm, but also look good,’’ he said.

Also making the scene was promoter Don Law, who was talking a little business between bites of shrimp cocktail. (Law, who runs the Opera House, the Orpheum, the House of Blues, the Paradise, and Brighton Music Hall, is working on a plan to transform the historic Union Square Post Office in Somerville into yet another club.)

Let’s be thankful the Sox aren’t counting on Steve DiFillippo to play defense this year. The Davio’s owner had a chance to catch a foul ball, but booted it and then fell down. The crowd was not impressed, but former WCVB-TV anchor Natalie Jacobson had a laugh.

Also taking a seat at Monday’s opener were developers Ron Druker and Steve Weiner, restaurateurs Ed Kane, Patrick Lyons, and Anthony Athanas, WGBH’s Emily Rooney, former American Skiing Company CEO Les Otten, Sox president and CEO emeritusLarry Lucchino, Reebok’s Paul Foster, “Dining Playbook’’ host Jenny Johnson, Letters to Cleo manager Michael Creamer, Union Oyster House owner Joe Milano, Friendly’s CEO John Maguire, Giant Glass president Dennis Drinkwater, and publicist George Regan.