A Fitting Farewell: PawSox Say Goodbye To Rhode Island, McCoy

PAWTUCKET, RI — After a half a century in Rhode Island, the Pawtucket Red Sox bade farewell to McCoy stadium and the Ocean State over the weekend, celebrating its home city and reliving favorite memories.

The four-day celebration included an all-day farewell event, a boy scout sleepover on the field, batting practice, three days of the popular Dining on the Diamond seatings and Unity Fest, a collaboration with Black Lives Matter Rhode Island. Throughout the weekend, the team paid tribute to The Longest Game: the 33-inning marathon that made professional baseball history. The online registration quickly filled up, and thousands of people signed up for the Dining on the Diamond waiting list.

In true 2020 fashion, the weekend kicked off with a cancellation. Heavy, cold rain made Friday night's Dining on the Diamond seating impossible, though the team was able to offer rained out guests the chance to come back on Sunday.

But Saturday dawned bright and sunny, kicking off a weekend full of nostalgia and fun for fans and McCoy employees alike. As the sun started to set, fans lined up for one last chance to enjoy classic ballpark fare in the shadow of the big screen.

"I have never seen a team or a fan base care so much about a team or a stadium," said Hannah Butler, the team's director of special events. "It shows how upset we all are that we're leaving."

Dining on the Diamond has been offered at McCoy Stadium throughout the summer, helping keep the park connected with the community amid coronavirus cancellations and closures. Fans are able to enjoy a socially distant meal in the outfield, giving them the opportunity to pay catch and spend time with mascots Paws and Sox.

Dan Rea, the general manager, said the near-weekly event has been an unexpected success after the pandemic caused the unexpected cancellation of the team's farewell and 50th anniversary season.

"We're grateful we were even able to do diamond dining," Rea said. "I think it's a testament to the ballpark's resonance."

"It's been awesome, everyone loves this event," said Jackson Piantedosi, an intern working as a diamond dining server. "Seeing everyone show up with such a good attitude ... everyone is so happy to be here."

2020 marks the golden anniversary of the Triple-A Red Sox affiliate, which has played at McCoy Stadium since 1970. It also marks the end of the era: the last season set to be played in Rhode Island before the team relocates to Worcester, Massachusetts to become the "WooSox."

Although the Massachusetts team will have a new mascot, the smiley ball, fans worried about the fate of Paws and Sox, the beloved polar bear mascots at McCoy, can rest assured that the pair won't be left out in the cold.

"Everyone is welcome in Worcester," said Bill Wanless, who has been with the team since 1985. "Since it's Polar Park, and they're polar bears, I don't think fans have seen the last of them."

Wanless said he thinks the fans are McCoy's greatest legacy, and he has enjoyed watching generations come to experience games with their families. Season after season, Rhode Islanders kept coming back, watching Hall of Famers on their rise to stardom and celebrating the team they loved so well.

"I can't say enough about the fans," he said. "We have great fans, a great team, and an awesome ballpark."

While it might be the end of the road for the PawSox and, for now, for McCoy Stadium, Wanless reminded fans that the team will live on just a short ride away.

"We're leaving, but we're not going too far," he said. "We're saying goodbye to Rhode Island and McCoy, but everyone is welcome to come see us in our new home."

PawSox farewell: Read more

• PawSox Plan 4-Day Farewell Celebration
• 'We Just Don't Know': Final RI PawSox Season Unknown
• Final PawSox Season In RI Canceled
• Worcester Red Sox Unveil Their Mascot: Smiley Ball
• It's The WooSox: Worcester Red Sox Nickname Revealed
• PawSox Offers 'Diamond Dining' At McCoy