Minor League Baseball honors WooSox for outreach and initiative programs with CommUNITY Champion Award

Joe McDonald, Telegram & Gazette
·2 min read
From left, Dan Rea, WooSox Executive vice president and general manager, team president Dr. Charles Steinberg, and Brooke Cooper, vice president marketing pose with awards after the WooSox received Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY Champion Award during the Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando.
From left, Dan Rea, WooSox Executive vice president and general manager, team president Dr. Charles Steinberg, and Brooke Cooper, vice president marketing pose with awards after the WooSox received Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY Champion Award during the Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando.

WORCESTER — It didn’t take long for the Worcester Red Sox to become leaders in the community.

Minor League Baseball announced Monday the WooSox have been named as the 2021 CommUNITY Champion Award winner. The Boston Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate continued many of its community efforts and traditions from its days in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and brought those to Worcester for the inaugural season.

“We are so happy, so proud, and so grateful to so many for recognizing the special bond between the Worcester Red Sox and the Greater Worcester community,” said WooSox team president Dr. Charles Steinberg. “Larry Lucchino has established charitable foundations with every franchise he has led, and he has committed that we would be active participants in the community. We are thrilled to honor that commitment.

“In particular, our thanks go to the leaders and residents of The Heart of the Commonwealth. Their compassion and excitement inspire these synergistic collaborations. May this year, our rookie year, only be the beginning.”

The WooSox held an impressive, and heartfelt pregame ceremony prior to every home game at Polar Park. The team honored hometown heroes with their “Heart of Worcester” program. Every Wednesday the team recognized “Woman of Worcester” and honored those who have made in impact in the community.

The team’s most popular promotion is “Debt to a Vet” which recognizes military men and women every home game. The WooSox also made it a point to find and honor many World War II veterans.

“I’m incredibly proud of the program,” said Joe Bradlee, the WooSox’ vice president of baseball operations and community relations last summer. “I’m incredibly proud of the organization. The one thing we’ve continually found from so many of these families is that they end up thanking us when in reality it’s really us who should be thanking them. We have to remind them how grateful we are for them and their service to our country.”

The WooSox also focused on diverse identities and cultures in the City of Worcester. The team introduced Los Wepas de Worcester and numerous times during the season they wore special uniforms to honor the Spanish-speaking cultures.

The WooSox’ reach was felt throughout New England during the season. The team held Autism Acceptance Night, Peanut Allergy-Friendly Nights and Deaf Awareness Night. The team also recognized September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The WooSox Foundation also donated over $50,000 to UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center. The team also held Boy Scout Sleepover nights during the season.

The WooSox Foundation also launched the WooSox Scholars program to provide college scholarships to local students. In the team’s first season, it has already invested $40,000 into the college funds.

The WooSox also created the Book Nook at Worcester Public Library, which provides young readers a chance to learn the history of baseball and the power of sports in the community, while developing reading skills.

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Minor League Baseball honors WooSox for outreach and initiative programs with CommUNITY Champion Award