It's been talked about for years now, but Thursday, multiple sources confirm to Worcester News Tonight that the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, will be making a major announcement regarding the Pawtucket Red Sox.
While many are sworn to secrecy, they say the idea of a Triple-A baseball team coming to Worcester is huge.
People in Worcester were excited Thursday night at the idea of a relocation.
"[PawSox Chairman Larry] Lucchino has been up here a few times looking and talking," said Worcester resident Joe Bailey. "It's a very good thing. It's an awesome thing. It's bringing everything back to Massachusetts where it belongs."
Former Medford Mayor Mike McGlynn even came to Worcester to find out more information.
"I heard the exciting news that Pawtucket may be moving to Worcester and we're all excited and we think it would be great for the community, help expand the economic base," he said. "People love baseball, the Red Sox are on a roll."
The vacant Wyman Gordon lot off of Kelley Square has been pitched as a stadium site, according to Masslive.com.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area.
Alex Guardiola, director of government affairs and public policy at the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce said it would "create new jobs and spark of excitement, and it would help with local businesses to attract people to local restaurants and bars and shopping." He added, however, that the Chamber of Commerce hadn't heard anything so far.
"There are a limited number of places in the country with Triple-A baseball teams, so this is significant," agreed Michael Angelini, chairman of the Bowditch and Dewey law firm. "Emotionally, physically, the energy, it would just be a great thing for Worcester."
Angelini says this moment would make history in the city.
"I was thinking about September of 1982, when Sinatra came to Worcester and the Centrum opened, and that was a huge event," he said. "And if that happens, it will be another huge event. It's a time for the city to say, 'We're pretty significant.'"
Joe O'Grady is opening a multi-purpose smoke shop next week in the area of the proposed new ballpark. And while the timing may not be great, he says he supports the city's hard work in the proposal.
"I bought this building two years ago because it was in a redevelopment area in Worcester and I saw an opportunity. That was before any talk of the PawSox," O'Grady said. "I'm open to working with the city and anyone else to reach a mutually beneficial outcome."
Thursday evening, the Pawtucket mayor's office said in a statement, "At no time has there been any indication of a PawSox plan to move to Worcester or a suggestion of an announcement."
"We remain confident that the Ballpark at Slater Mill, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and the superior Greater Providence metro area, is the only home for the PawSox future. We are excited to get to work building this world-class destination with our partners, the Pawtucket Red Sox," the statement added.
The team has a lease to play in Pawtucket until 2020, but Angelini says another name would suit the PawSox well.
"I hope it happens, and I hope the PawSox become the WooSox," he said.
