SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – It’s Red Sox Winter Weekend, where thousands of fans and team legends in Springfield get a taste of what’s to come ahead of the 2024 season. Western Mass News was on scene.
The banners were hung and homeplate was in place. Not at Fenway Park, but at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.
Players, team leaders, and thousands of fans are expected to come from near and far for all things Red Sox ahead of preseason.
A big conversation on Friday night for management and fans was the future of the team.
We asked local resident Logan Lane what he thought the Sox need to do to succeed. He said, “Just pitching, 2-3 starters and then we should be set and build on from there.”
Red Sox President Sam Kennedy told us, “It’s always great to turn the page, especially when you have a disappointing year and a disappointing couple years.”
After placing last in the American League East three times in the past four years, and surviving a 2023 season filled with more losses than wins, team chairperson Tom Werner said that they’re hoping for a better season.
Chairperson Tom Werner of the Boston Red Sox told us, “Two words, for me personally, f’ull throttle’ is how I approach every year, expecting for us to be competitive using all the levers at Craig’s disposal. That could be acquiring talent through trades, free agency, building a core, having a stronger pitching staff, having a stronger coaching staff. We weren’t good enough defensively last year. So, when I said full throttle, and I even admitted it probably wasn’t the most hurtful words. That also played to my own life, and we are accountable to our fans. We’re not happy as Sam said with our performance last year and we expect to be better this year.”
However, past victories and team legends will not be left out of the celebrations. With big names like Big Papi (David Ortiz) planning to make an appearance in autograph and photo opportunities.
Longtime fan David Molloy told us, “I’m hoping I get to see some of the alumni. I’ve been a Red Sox fan since August of 1966, and it’s great to see some of the old players here.”
Western Mass News also learned of commemorations that will take place this year, with 2024 marking 20 years since the team swept the St. Louis Cardinals. The team will also honor the life of pitcher Tim Wakefield, who died in October shortly after he revealed his battle with brain cancer.
Sam Kennedy told us, “Wake was an incredible teammate and colleague. World Series champion, Red Sox Hall of Famer, very close personal friend of both of ours, honorary chairman of the Red Sox foundation. “We’ll be honoring him at Fenway, and certainly be honoring the 20th anniversary of the championship.”
