Heritage Day at Polar Park is the latest reason to show PawSox loyalists that franchise is in good hands with WooSox

Joe McDonald, Telegram & Gazette
·3 min read
Ryan Fitzgerald basks in memorabilia from the Pawtucket Red Sox, while donning a PawSox shirt and cap.
Ryan Fitzgerald basks in memorabilia from the Pawtucket Red Sox, while donning a PawSox shirt and cap.

WORCESTER — The PawSox are back. Well, at least for one day.

After the Boston Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate relocated from Pawtucket, Rhode Island to Worcester, WooSox ownership promised it would not forget the organization’s Ocean State roots that survived and flourished for 50 years.

Larry Lucchino is keeping his word.

The WooSox will host PawSox Heritage Day July 9 at Polar Park. The team will wear PawSox uniforms and host the New York Yankees’ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at 4:05 p.m.

Most Rhode Islanders were furious when the PawSox relocated north on Route 146 to the Canal District. I was among those who were outraged at local politicians for allowing the team to leave. I voiced my opinion in a column I wrote for a former employer that gained national attention.

I told many people that I would never step foot in Worcester, or attend a WooSox game because of my allegiance to the PawSox, McCoy Stadium and Rhode Island.

I was wrong.

Yolmer Sanchez gives Ryan Fitzgerald a ride along the wall mural depicting the scoreboard commemorating the longest game between the PawSox and Rochester Red Wings in 1981.
Yolmer Sanchez gives Ryan Fitzgerald a ride along the wall mural depicting the scoreboard commemorating the longest game between the PawSox and Rochester Red Wings in 1981.

The T&G hired me in January 2021 to cover the WooSox. Since my time here, I have learned to respect the deep history of Worcester and its passion for baseball. Polar Park has become a destination, and the ballpark is a phenomenal place to watch a game.

People ask me all the time about Polar Park and the WooSox. At first, many fans had the same negative feelings about the move as I once did. I tell people all the time that it’s worth a short trip to Worcester to experience everything about the WooSox and Polar Park. Many have made the trek north and walk away excited and satisfied.

If you’re a PawSox fan and haven’t attended a WooSox game, this is the perfect opportunity to remember how special Pawtucket was for five decades, but also a chance to enjoy the present and future of the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate.

Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

The entire day will honor Pawtucket’s rich baseball history. Former PawSox players and personnel will participate in the festivities. The WooSox will recognize the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, the Rhode Island Foundation, the Tomorrow Fund, and Victor Butler, 100, who is Rhode Island’s last surviving Tuskegee Airman.

Yolmer Sanchez dons a PawSox jersey and cap, while sitting on a McCoy Stadium chair.
Yolmer Sanchez dons a PawSox jersey and cap, while sitting on a McCoy Stadium chair.

The WooSox also will commemorate baseball’s longest game, a 33-inning game between the PawSox and Rochester Red Wings on April 18-19 and June 23, 1981. Pawtucket native, and fan favorite, Ken Ryan, who pitched for the PawSox and Red Sox will be in attendance.

The WooSox will reserve spots at Polar Park for PawSox season ticket members, McCoy Stadium ushers and other longtime PawSox employees. The WooSox also will provide free round-trip transportation for these guests from McCoy Stadium to Polar Park.

Following the game all fans can enjoy the tradition of a Sunset Catch on the field. Another longstanding PawSox tradition will continue when the WooSox host a Scout Sleepover on the field. More than 200 Boy Scouts from the Narragansett Council will camp out in the outfield at Polar Park.

The Worcester Red Sox have plans to celebrate the team's history in Pawtucket.
The Worcester Red Sox have plans to celebrate the team's history in Pawtucket.

McCoy Stadium was a special place. Families spent what seemed like countless nights and summers enjoying the French fries and PawSox games. Kids fished for autographs using string and buckets above the dugouts. There are new amenities for families at Polar Park, and it’s worth the experience.

The WooSox plan on making this an annual event to honor the history of the PawSox, and even though it’ll be only one day each summer, for those true PawSox fans those memories will never disappear.

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: PawSox loyalists can enjoy Heritage Day July 9, when uniforms from McCoy shall shine at Polar Park