'It was a lot': WooSox welcome Holliday to Polar Park, score most runs in game since 2000
WORCESTER — As Jackson Holliday walked up to home plate to make his Polar Park debut Tuesday night, the song “Happy Holiday” by Andy Williams played over the sound system.
Three pitches later, the top prospect in all of baseball walked back to the visiting dugout following a strikeout in his first at-bat.
While the merry bells keep ringing ...
Happy holiday to you.
“That one made us giggle a little bit,” Worcester Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said. “I didn’t expect it, it’s clearly one that’s probably in the plans for the first at-bat but, yeah, it was creative.
“It was funny. We noticed it.”
Holliday, a Norfolk Tides infielder and No. 1 prospect according to MLB.com, wasn’t the only one making their Worcester debut on Tuesday.
The WooSox introduced their newest mascot — Clara, the Heart of the Commonwealth — to the Canal District ahead of their six-game home series with the Norfolk Tides. Clara embarked on a tour of Worcester Tuesday by visiting the Gates Lane School, Froelich School of Nursing at Assumption University, Veterans Inc. and the American Red Cross on the UMass Memorial Health campus.
The heart-shaped mascot — a tribute to first responders in Worcester and named after Clara Barton — will make her Polar Park debut Saturday during “Oxford Day.” Barton, a teacher, nurse, army medic and the founder of the American Red Cross on May 21, 1881, was from Oxford.
“Having the heart of the commonwealth fits in the theme of a ballpark that looks and feels and smells and tastes like Worcester,” WooSox president Dr. Charles Steinberg said.
The Worcester Red Sox entered their series opener with the Tides after a successful home set against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders last week. Worcester won four of six games, and after a 20-4 win over Norfolk, the WooSox sit at 23-23.
Worcester teammates Eddy Alvarez and Enmanuel Valdez each smacked two home runs Tuesday as the club scored the most runs in a game by a Red Sox Triple-A affiliate since 2000. The 16-run differential was the largest margin of victory in WooSox history.
“It was a lot,” Tracy said.
Right-handed pitcher Josh Winckowski, who made his first start for the WooSox since being optioned from Boston on May 14, pitched four innings, allowing five hits, two runs (one earned) and striking out four. Holliday, meanwhile, went 0 for 4 with a walk and three strikeouts.
“I thought overall (Winckowski) threw the ball pretty well,” Tracy said.
As for the rest of the action this week, here’s the schedule for the WooSox homestand at Polar Park:
The top prospect in all of baseball, Jackson Holliday, is here at Polar Park today taking batting practice.
Holliday, 20, will hit leadoff and play second base for the Norfolk Tides (Orioles Triple-A affiliate) in a game against the Worcester Red Sox. pic.twitter.com/HcDIQrzDlw— Tommy Cassell (@tommycassell44) May 21, 2024
Wednesday (6:05 p.m.)
First Responders Wednesday, presented by National Grid; Berlin & Maynard Town Takeover.
Thursday (12:15 p.m.)
Throwback Thursday featuring Red Sox Hall of Famer and 1967 Cy Young Award winner Jim Lonborg, who will sign for fans in the Sherwood’s Diner during the third through sixth innings.
Friday (6:05 p.m.)
UniBank Fireworks set to the music of a '70s Serenade; Uxbridge Town Takeover.
Saturday (4:05 p.m.)
The Great Polar Park Writers Series featuring former T&G sportswriter Bill Ballou from 1-2 p.m. in DCU Club presented by “The McDonough Family Fund;” Faith & Family Day; Oxford Town Takeover; Sunset Catch on the Field after the game; Girl Scout Sleepover.
Sunday (1:05 p.m.)
Brain Tumor Awareness Day; Fallon Health Sunday Funday; Kids Run the Bases presented by Fallon Health.
—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Red Sox welcome Jackson Holliday to Polar Park
