From Worcester With Love: WooSox Host PawSox Heritage Night

WORCESTER, MA — The PawSox will make a return this weekend, but, unfortunately, not to their former Pawtucket home.

The Worcester Red Sox will pay tribute to their PawSox history and Rhode Island roots on “PawSox Heritage Day” Saturday at Polar Park. The WooSox will wear PawSox hats and jerseys against the New York Yankees’ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, with first pitch scheduled at 4:05 p.m.

The WooSox Team Store will stock shirts commemorating “The Longest Game in Baseball History,” when the PawSox and Rochester Red Wings battled for 33 innings on April 18, 19, and June 23, 1981. The finale of the game, which lasted 8 hours and 25 minutes, was a national event.

The game featured Worcester native, WooSox Hitting Coach, and Red Sox Hall of Famer Rich Gedman, along with Baseball Hall of Famers Cal Ripken, Jr. and Wade Boggs. Joe Morgan, who managed the PawSox at the time, will begin the PawSox Tribute Game by saying, “Play Ball.”

Rhode Island’s Bob Fabiano and his Barber Shop Quartet, “Private Label,” will play live music on Summit Street beginning at 2 p.m. In addition, they will perform the National Anthem.

PawSox mascots Paws and Sox will come visit WooSox mascots Smiley Ball and Woofster the WonderDog. Pawtucket native Ken Ryan, who pitched for the PawSox, Boston Red Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies, will also greet fans.

During pre-game ceremonies, the WooSox will recognize the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket. For nearly 30 years, the PawSox Foundation teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club to annually provide two children with a pair of tickets to attend Major League Baseball’s World Series. The tradition was started in 1950 by Pawtucket native and American League umpire Hank Soar. The PawSox, and now the WooSox, have continued the 72-year tradition.

The club will also recognize the Rhode Island Foundation, represented by President and CEO Neil Steinberg, as their “Hometown Hero.” As part of this honor, Steinberg will deliver a Ceremonial First Pitch.

Representatives of the Tomorrow Fund, a longtime community partner of the PawSox in the fight against childhood cancer, will present the Game Ball to the Mound.

During the In Debt to a Vet program following the fourth inning, the WooSox will honor Victor Butler, Rhode Island’s last surviving Tuskegee Airman, who turned 100 years old on May 21.

The Triple Decker Garden in right field will be reserved for PawSox Season Ticket Members, McCoy Stadium ushers, and other longtime PawSox employees, who will all enjoy their visit as guests of the WooSox. The club will also provide free round-trip transportation for these guests from McCoy Stadium to Polar Park.

“So many of our longtime staff members are deeply rooted in Pawtucket,” said WooSox President Dr. Charles Steinberg, who shared an office at McCoy with Vice Chairman Mike Tamburro, a member of the organization for well over 40 years.

“Mike T’s stories range from touching to hilarious, as do the reminiscences of Michael ‘Gwynnie’ Gwynn, Mike Lyons, Bill Wanless, Sammy Saccoia-Beggs, and of course, Rick Medeiros. All are eager to welcome these friends, fans, and colleagues.”