Announcement could come today on PawSox move
PAWTUCKET – At long last, Worcester appears ready to show its cards and make its public proposal to lure the Pawtucket Red Sox to the second largest city in New England.
According to multiple sources, Worcester’s political leaders are holding a press conference regarding the financial terms of their PawSox ballpark plan on Friday that begins at 2 p.m., to be held at Worcester City Hall. It’s being hailed as the first step for the PawSox to relocate to the Bay State.
Plus, there’s also the ongoing saga surrounding the Apex land, which the city of Pawtucket to date has yet to formally obtain.
A member of the PawSox front office is expected to meet with the players and coaches inside the home clubhouse at 3 p.m. on Friday. The news to the team won’t be delivered by PawSox chairman Larry Lucchino, who is planning to attend the Worcester announcement.
One source who is familiar with R.I.’s political efforts to
keep the PawSox in Rhode Island believes that “it’s highly doubtful” that Friday’s Worcester-based ballpark proposal news will be accompanied by an announcement that the PawSox are crossing state lines.
“I believe a decision is coming soon, but not as soon as Friday,” a source told The Times. “Worcester has been able to avoid the press for a long time. Now when they put it out there, we’ll see how it compares to Pawtucket’s deal and see how their taxpayers react.”
This past Monday morning, Lucchino met with Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien in a closed door meeting at McCoy Stadium. Later that same day, Lucchino was in Worcester along with PawSox president Dr. Charles Steinberg and general manager Dan Rea.
Lucchino was back at McCoy for Wednesday’s noontime game. He spent much of the day huddled with club officials. The Times recently reported that Lucchino was seen at the Massachusetts Statehouse, meeting with the state’s economic development officials.
In a statement released Thursday night while meeting with PawSox officials at McCoy Stadium, Grebien stated, “City officials and consultants have been in regular contact with PawSox leadership and consultants, as recently as last night and today, discussing the finer points of the financing and ballpark plans here in Rhode Island. At no time has there been any indication of a plan to move to Worcester or a suggestion of an announcement.
“The PawSox leadership is currently weighing their options and the City of Pawtucket is as committed today to our partnership as we have ever been throughout this franchise’s storied 42-year history in Pawtucket.
“We remain confident that the Ballpark at Slater Mill, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and the superior Greater Providence metro area, is the only home for the PawSox future. We are excited to get to work building this world class destination with our partners, the Pawtucket Red Sox.”
The next scheduled meeting for the Worcester City Council is next Tuesday, August 21. The PawSox have a lease at McCoy Stadium that doesn’t expire until the conclusion of the 2020 season.