WooSox fan favorite Ryan Fitzgerald makes minor league history with line of merchandise
WORCESTER — Ryan Fitzgerald is considered among the top echelon of players when it comes to fan favorites of the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
Former PawSox players Mo Vaughn, Nomar Garciaparra, Trot Nixon, David Eckstein, Dustin Pedroia, Jackie Bradley Jr., along with WooSox players Franchy Cordero and Fitzgerald all top the list.
Well, Fitzgerald and the WooSox went above and beyond and created the first-ever Minor League Baseball player brand with the “Fitzy Fan Club” line of merchandise. The WooSox launched the brand at the team’s pro shop Saturday afternoon at Polar Park.
It was evident that Fitzgerald is a fan favorite because the line snaked around the pro shop and out the door onto Madison Street. He signed autographs, took pictures and even signed his name on a baby.
Fitzgerald is known not only for his all-out style of play, but also for his impressive hockey-style mullet. In fact, that’s the logo on the T-shirts. When the WooSox first thought about creating such a brand, it was a no-brainer to go with Fitzgerald.
“Some Major League Baseball teams have collaborated with players, and we are proud to offer the first in Minor League Baseball,” said Katrina Burns, the WooSox’ senior director of merchandise. “Collaborations are big in the fashion industry right now, and we chose Ryan Fitzgerald because he’s loved by fans and has a big personality. We wanted to capture his personality in this line.”
The joke around the clubhouse is Fitzgerald can’t cut his hair now that he has his own brand. “Hopefully I never go to the Yankees,” he said with a laugh. “That would be tough.”
The New York Yankees have a club rule that players can’t have facial, or long hair. Fortunately, he’s a homegrown talent of the Red Sox.
Knowing Fitzgerald is a fan favorite the WooSox asked him if he would consider his own brand. He worked with a graphic designer Courtney Cowsill, and the collaboration has been successful. Even the WooSox players have been sporting the T-shirts.
“It is kind of interesting to see my face on all these shirts,” he said with a smile. “It’s cool to see guys I came up with wearing it. It’s fun.”
When he learned that he’s the first minor league player to have his own brand, he was pretty excited about it.
“I had no idea,” he said. “I’m surprised I’m the first one, especially since I don’t have prospect status.”
Fitzgerald, 27, isn’t considered your normal prospect, but the undrafted free agent has developed well since the Red Sox signed him in 2018. He actually finds it funny that he’s become a fan favorite in Worcester.
“I think it means I’ve got good hair,” he said with a laugh. “It’s cool to see and hopefully people like me more for the person I am rather than the player on the field, or even the hair. Hopefully they follow and support me more for my character.”
While fans were on hand to purchase the Fitzy brand Saturday afternoon, online orders came in from around the country. He’s no doubt become a baseball celebrity.
“Worcester is incredible,” he said. “The city, when you first hear of it you can’t pronounce it, but getting here and seeing the park last year, and the staff we have is incredible. I’ve never been in the big leagues, but I’ve heard from guys who have, and they say the experience here is better than most big-league clubs. Hopefully I’ll have this to compare it to once I get to the big leagues, but my time here has been great.”
On the field, the WooSox have sent 21 players to Boston this season, and Fitzgerald hopes to be the next in line. No doubt Red Sox fans would appreciate his work ethic, contributions and mullet.
“I have zero expectations of anyone else. I only have expectations of myself,” he said. “I’m not happy. I’m not sad. I stay level headed. I try not to ride the roller coaster. I just keep playing, and that’s all I can do.”
Along with signing his autographs on babies.
—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: WooSox fan favorite Ryan Fitzgerald makes minor league history with line of merchandise
