Boston Red Sox AAA team to move to Worcester for 2021

After 51 years in Pawtucket, the Boston Red Sox AAA franchise will move to Worcester MA in time for the 2021 campaign.

Since 1970, the Pawtucket Red Sox have been a major part of Rhode Island. Originally an entrant in the Eastern League, the PawSox became the Boston Red Sox top minor league affiliate, as the Louisville franchise moved to Rhode Island, and the original PawSox moved to Connecticut. The city became a home for the franchise which had started in 1896, tracing its roots through Toronto, and moved to Louisville in 1964 before that move to the northeast.

And now, the franchise is on the move again. After failing to come to an agreement about who should bear the financial burden of the new stadium, the PawSox are on the move. They will be heading to Worcester, MA for the 2021 season, playing in what will be called Polar Park.

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There is a history of baseball in Worcester. For a brief time in the beginning of major league history, Worcester had a team in the National League. The Worcester Ruby Legs were brought in mainly because of the dominance of pitcher Lee Richmond, who, in 1880, became the first pitcher to throw a perfect game. Later that year, the Ruby Legs were the first team to be no hit at home, with Pud Galvin doing the honors.

However, Worcester was not large enough to remain a major league city. By 1882, the writing was on the wall, as the Ruby Legs and the Troy Trojans were forced to finish the season as lame duck teams. They ended the season facing one another, drawing a total of 31 fans in the final two games, the paid attendance of six the lowest for any game open to the fans.

While Worcester has its share of baseball history, the PawSox are leaving history behind as well. After all, Pawtucket was the site of the longest game in professional baseball history, a 33 inning marathon between the PawSox and the Rochester Red Wings. Tomo Ohka and Bronson Arroyo each threw a perfect game for the PawSox, the third and fourth perfect games in the history of the International League.

The PawSox still have a couple of years to add to their history. However, in 2021, the Boston Red Sox top affiliate will be on the move to Worcester.