Jennifer Russo

In the 20^th anniversary year of the legendary 2004 World Series Red Sox win, the Worcester Red Sox (aka WooSox) are excited about their upcoming season. Fans are in for lots of surprises this year, with themed games and events, Major League veteran appearances, and other things happening right out of the gate!

Under the new ownership of Diamond Baseball Holdings (majority owners of a number of minor league teams), CEO Peter Freund had said late last year that he was impressed with the WooSox and cited that the team was a notable example of positive impacts to our local community. 

In addition to this operational change, the WooSox also welcomed a new EVP/General Manager this year with Brooke Cooper stepping into the role. She is the first woman to hold the position in the history of the franchise, after ten years with the baseball club – starting her career with the organization as an intern back in 2015 and quickly rising through the ranks as a VP and SVP.

“It’s a privilege to continue working with the dedicated and talented individuals at Polar Park who inspire me daily. Having enjoyed the past three seasons in Worcester, the passion for both baseball and community in this city and the surrounding region is truly remarkable, and something I am proud to be a part of,” Cooper shared in a recent interview.

Opening day is quickly coming up on Tuesday April 2^nd, and to help commemorate the 2004 Red Sox World Series win, champion and 2024 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductee Trot Nixon will be meeting with fans during the 3^rd – 6^th innings. 

“We are really looking to build and enhance the fan experience this season any way that we can,” says Assistant GM and SVP of Community and Player Relations, Joseph Bradlee. “There will be a lot more player and fan interaction, more youth clinics, Autograph Wednesdays, Throwback Thursdays – it will be a central theme of the season.”

Jonny Gomes, John Trautwein, Oil Can Boyd, and Hall of Famers Bob Stanley, Jim Rice and Dennis Eckersley are all scheduled to make appearances this season, with more players to be announced.

Fans can also expect promotional days with bobbleheads and tumblers, and UniBank Friday Fireworks nights are back with a variety of musical themes. Other favorite promotional nights, like the popular Town Takeovers and Heritage Nights, Taco & Tequila Tuesdays, Social Awareness games (such as military appreciation, ALS awareness, Pride, and nurse appreciation to name a few), and more can all be found on their website.

Bradlee attended and played baseball at Union College in NY, then interned for public relations at Fenway Park in 2012 and went to Pawtucket shortly after the AAA club was acquired. Now going into his 12^th season working with the Red Sox organization, he is looking forward to the upcoming season.

“We are coming off a couple years where we have led AAA baseball in fan attendance, and we definitely want to keep that going,” says Bradlee. “But I think even bigger than that, Polar Park has really been a part of the momentum of so many other things developing around Worcester, which is exciting. We are looking forward to continuing to be good community partners and helping to make this community a better place for many years to come.”

In addition to all the fun of game days, the WooSox Foundation will continue to do community outreach, with a focus around their four pillars – Education, Social Justice, Conquering Cancer, and Diamond Sports recreation programs. The Foundation also offers four scholarships a year to children in the Worcester Public School system and works with food local food pantries to combat hunger.

To view the upcoming game schedule and promotions, buy tickets, and check out more about the WooSox, visit their website at www.woosox.com. You can follow them on Instagram and Facebook at @GoWooSox, on X/Twitter at @WooSox, and on LinkedIn at Worcester Red Sox.