Sports stats



IL Worcester Red Sox

Polar Park the Center for Worcester's 300th

June 28, 2022 - International League (IL)
Worcester Red Sox News Release


Polar Park played host to multiple celebratory events for the City of Worcester in the days leading up to the Heart of the Commonwealth's tercentennial on Tuesday, June 14.

Worcester citizens enjoyed a weekend of festivities to celebrate the city's milestone birthday. Although the Worcester Red Sox were on the road Friday Night battling the first-place Bison in Buffalo, NY, Polar Park resembled a home game as fans bustled through Kelley Square ahead of UniBank's Tercentennial fireworks show.

"The Voice" Season 17 Finalist and Worcester native Ricky Duran performed the Star-Spangled Banner before Worcester residents were treated to a free fireworks display as the official kick-off event of Worcester's birthday weekend. The show was set to the theme of 'Motown and more,' foreshadowing Juneteenth celebrations to come.

WooSox mascots Smiley Ball and Woofster the WonderDog walked alongside Saturday's parade procession and were available for photos with fans at the Tercentennial Festival on Worcester Common.

The WooSox returned home Tuesday for a six-game series with the Toldeo Mud Hens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Before Connor Seabold's (5-1, 1.95) first pitch at 6:45, the Worcester flag was raised over centerfield to complement Tuesday's 'take two' promotion, giving out miniature Worcester flags to fans.

Devon "Pretty Boy" Kurtz, who dressed in his 1880s-era Worcester Worcesters uniform from the Woo's ex-National League team, threw a Ceremonial First Pitch. "Mistah Wistah" later returned to say "Play Ball."

Worcester Historical Museum Executive Director Bill Wallace received Heart of Worcester honors and was presented a baseball autographed by the WooSox '22 roster. The ball will be entered into a time capsule, set to be opened on Worcester's 400th, June 14, 2122.

Polar Park honored multiple groups integral to Worcester during pre-game ceremonies. In tribute to the many front-line heroes who guided the city through the COVID-19 Pandemic, operating nurses Merlyn Gonzales and Marie Francis were recognized on the field.

Mayor Joseph Petty presented keys to the city to Worcester Tercentennial Committee members Kate McEvoy, Kim Salmon, Yaffia Fain, Mary Mackenzie, Amy Peterson, and Julie Bowditch for their efforts to celebrate Worcester's 300th. Petty threw one of Tuesday's Ceremonial First Pitches.

To present the colors, Polar Park welcomed Chief of Police Steven Sargent, Fire Deputy Chief John Powers, Fire Deputy Chief Adam Roche, and firefighter Jay O'Brien. The stadium held moments of silence for fallen police officer, Manny Familia, the Worcester 6, and the three firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice since then.

Also remembered during pre-game with a moment of silence was Polar Park security guard Scott Gauvin, who passed unexpectedly June 6, 2022.

In connection with those who protect Worcester, Polar Park announced the return of the annual police v. firefighter charity softball game. The game will be played at Polar on September 26. 14-year-old Jovan Familia and 13-year-old Ava Roy were named honorary captains of the softball teams, and threw out Ceremonial First Pitches. Familia's father, Manny, passed trying to save a child from drowning in 2021 and Roy's father, Christopher, passed fighting a blaze in 2018.

Former Red Sox pitcher Jose Santiago threw out Tuesday's final Ceremonial First Pitch. Santiago pitched for the Impossible Dream Red Sox team of 1967 and was on hand to meet fans in the Sherwood's Diner on Summit Street during the game.

During the fourth inning, a Purple Heart recipient and Worcester native, Staff Sergeant Joseph Paul Genduso, was honored during Polar Park's In-Debt-To-A-Vet program.

The WooSox beat the Mud Hens 4-0 on the back of Seabold's scoreless five-inning performance, and a two-home run game from Jaylin Davis.

Check out the Worcester Red Sox Statistics

• Discuss this story on the International League message board...

International League Stories from June 28, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central