Sports stats



IL Worcester Red Sox

WooSox Launch Ryan Fitzgerald Merchandise Line

August 23, 2022 - International League (IL)
Worcester Red Sox News Release


Player-inspired line is first in Minor League Baseball

The Worcester Red Sox announced the debut of the 'WooSox X Ryan Fitzgerald' player line on Friday, August 19. The five-item collection is available for purchase online and in the WooSox Team Store beginning Saturday, August 20, at noon.

Each item in the collection was inspired by WooSox infielder Ryan Fitzgerald, and designed by WooSox Director of Graphic and Web Design Courtney Cowsill. The line is the first of its kind in Minor League Baseball, a fact that is not lost on the current WooSox leader in games played for the 2022 season.

"Having my face and hair on there, that's the coolest part," Fitzgerald said.

Cowsill, Fitzgerald, and WooSox Senior Director of Merchandise Katarina Burns worked together to produce the collection. Burns said the team chose Fitzgerald because of his outgoing personality and popularity among fans.

"It was just turning his personality into items," Cowsill said. "I would ask myself while designing, 'Would Fitzy wear this?' This line is truly a piece of him for the fans."

The line pulls influences from Fitzgerald's love for camouflage, the Star-Spangled Banner, as well as his nickname, 'Fitzy,' and his signature mulleted look.

"I thought 'why not draw him?'" Cowsill said. "Portraits are fun for the fans to wear, so instead of a realistic rendering, I did a duotone illustration, and I love how it turned out."

Although Fitzgerald is a professional baseball player, his love for hockey shined through to complement his cartooned face.

"It's the hair, it's always the hair," Fitzgerald said. "Hair and hockey have always been the two biggest things in my life."

The first 300 fans to purchase a 'WooSox X Ryan Fitzgerald' item will receive a free, special-edition "Fitzy Fan Club" sticker.

"The energy in this ballpark and this city-it's something else," Cowsill said. "I hope fans feel like we're bringing them more into the fold with this collaboration. It's more personal. They can wear these designs and feel like they're a part of something special: The Fitzy Fan Club."

Fitzgerald is excited to see fans wearing his merchandise and was on hand for Saturday's launch in the team store at 12 p.m.

"Ryan was absolutely amazing to work with, and I cannot thank him enough for being so flexible and patient as we worked to bring this from paper to apparel," Burns said. "Courtney [Cowsill] also crushed the designs and captured exactly what we wanted in the apparel. We are lucky to have someone as talented as Courtney on our staff who listens to my crazy merch ideas."

The 'WooSox X Fitzgerald' player line follows the 'WooSox What If?' collection in the Team Store. Cowsill designed the logos for the Worcester Ruby Legs and the Wicked Worms of Worcester, two fan-suggested names the Triple-A affiliate could have been dubbed when moving to Worcester in 2021.

"At the end of the day, we're entertainers," Fitzgerald said. "Entertainment both on and off the field, I think it's a big piece of the game, and [in] growing the game. Hopefully, some kids start growing out their hair like mine, and maybe they'll have a line like mine someday."

The line will be sold through the end of the season, while supplies last.

Check out the Worcester Red Sox Statistics



International League Stories from August 23, 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.

Other Recent Worcester Red Sox Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central