Worcester case scenario
Worcester celebrates as PawSox receive final approval for move
WORCESTER – Oh, what could have been.
Alas, Pawtucket’s loss is now officially Worcester’s gain.
Instead of “a grand & glorious celebration” with Slater Mill and the Blackstone River serving as the backdrop, fans of the future home of the Pawtucket Red Sox came together on Monday night to celebrate on the steps of Worcester City Hall. Past Red Sox stars lined the dais and fireworks lit up the nighttime sky as a crowd of thousands gathered at the city’s Canal District, which in 2021 will become known as the home of the Worcester Red Sox.
The gathering, which included an appearance from Red Sox legends Pe- dro Martinez, Jerry Remy and others (David Ortiz sent a video message), took place one month after the PawSox signed a letter of intent to build a 10,000-seat ballpark in Worcester.
“You have chosen wisely,” proclaimed Massachusetts congressman James P. McGovern. “Larry, you’re family now.”
McGovern’s remarks were directed to PawSox chairman Larry Lucchino, who rarely stopped smiling on Monday. Lucchino told the crowd that it’s officially a done deal for the PawSox to relocate to the second largest city in New England, after the team received endorsements from the International League, Minor League Baseball, and Major League Baseball on Monday. Each group’s approval comes on the heels of the Worcester City Council last week voting 9-1 to approve a ballpark financing plan that’s worth $100.8 million.
Raising his hands in the air, Lucchino proclaimed, “It is now official,” to loud cheers.
“It’s the end of the beginning,”
said Ben DeCastro, the public-address voice of McCoy Stadium.
But it was the beginning of the end for the team’s presence in Pawtucket, a fact that wasn’t lost on Lucchino. He said a part of him will always wonder about not being able to make things work in Pawtucket – and Providence before that.
“We bought the team in part with the intention of keeping it in Rhode Island. That was our motivation among our partners,” Lucchino said in response to a question from The Times. “We tried for three-and-ahalf years, but it takes two to tango. In Rhode Island, I guess it takes three with the city, the state, and us. We could never put a dance team together.”
Asked by The Times if he’s heard from R.I. Gov. Gina Raimondo or House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello since the Aug. 17 announcement of
the team’s deal with Worcester, Lucchino said, “I have not heard from the governor and I don’t expect to hear from the speaker in the next several years.”
Worcester and the PawSox pulled out all the stops in their welcome gala. With by PawSox president/ choreographer Dr. Charles Steinberg leading off, the guests of honor walked across a red carpet. Massachusetts political leaders wore baseball jerseys with “Worcester” stitched across the chest with the loudest ovation reserved for Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus Jr.
After Lucchino and PawSox vice chairman/Worcester native Mike Tamburro were introduced, it was then time for former Red Sox players and coaches – many of whom have ties to the PawSox – to be feted. Tommy Harper was first up, and was followed by Sam Horn, Steve
Lyons, Lenny DiNardo, Luis Tiant, Oil Can Boyd and Joe Morgan. After Morgan was Worcester native, and current PawSox hitting coach, Rich Gedman, then Dwight Evans and Jerry Remy with the energetic Martinez bringing up the rear.
Once all guests of honor were settled on the stage, five banners that were hanging from the City Hall windows were unveiled. Two of the banners featured all the business sponsors that have already aligned themselves with the PawSox. The fifth and final banner read, “Welcome to Worcester.”
“It’s a big deal for a team to move across state lines after 46 years,” said Augustus in an interview after the ceremony. “It feels right and Worcester wanted this in the worst way. Worcester is a city that gets things done.”
Dubbed a real friend of Worcester by Mayor Joseph M. Petty, Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said to the crowd, “Hey, we’re heading for the future.” Martinez raised everyone’s spirits to an even higher level when he said, “before I pitched in Fenway Park, Worcester was the first town I ever visited.”
A special assistant to the Red Sox, Martinez then turned to Lucchino and with a microphone in his hand said, “Larry, I thank you for choosing Worcester. It’s much closer to Boston. My trips are now a little bit shorter.”
“This is no longer the Commonwealth. This is the heart of New England,” Martinez added.
“A great ceremony with a lot of spirit and energy,” Lucchino said afterwards.