Hello PawSox Fans!

Unfortunately, the PawSox season ended quicker then I would’ve liked. I was hoping to go all the way and win the Governors Cup. But like Sox fans always say, “Wait’ll Next Year!”

As expected, it was a fun and exciting season and we would like to thank every fan that attended a game during the season. A very special thank you to our season ticket and flex ticket fans for the support throughout the season. Thanks to the fans and the organizations that had an outing during the season in one of the suites, a BBQ or a block of tickets. The PawSox can only succeed with the fans support.

We  now get ready for the 2012 season. Look for areas that can be improved upon and any new ideas for promotions and/or events. One of our more popular promotions is the bobblehead giveaway night. During the season, Clay Buchholz was the featured player for the bobblehead. The bobblehead giveaway has been sponsored by Bristol County Savings Bank for the last 10 years. 4,000 of the bobbleheads are given to fans. Each year, Bristol County also purchase a couple of extra cases that are autographed by the featured player. The featured player receives a case for himself. Also, the PawSox make a nice donation to the players charity of choice. On Friday, the 16th it was up to Fenway to have them signed.

It was agreed that we would arrive after batting practice to have Clay autograph the bobbleheads. Bill Wanless, the PawSox VP and Public Relations was to meet me at Fenway at 4:30. A expected, the Friday traffic going into Boston was horrendus. I arrive just a bit before Bill and meet with Paulie as I do every year for the signing. Paulie is one of the Red Sox staff that handles the parking of the players vehicles and other guests. With the very limited parking, finding spots for all the vehicles is quite a task. Paulie, however, always seems to be smiling.

Paulie uses the sidewalks on either side, the inside of the building and any other available space for the vehicles to fit. It’s like a giant puzzle or a game of Tetris! The road is shut down for pedestrians and thru-traffic. You have to leave your keys in the vehicle, at any time it can be moved. It is quite impressive to just watch all the vehicles being park. Early on, both sides of the sidewalks are filled with vehicles.

At the clubhouse entrance Bear Brian is on guard. Like legendary Coach Bear Bryant, this bear has the same intesity as he guards the door. Rumor has if any attempt is made to sneak by him, your flesh is clawed from the bones. It’s always nice to see him, and he’s always in a good mood, as long as you dont try and get by without authorization.

Bill and I head into the family room and set up the bobbleheads for Clay to sign. The plan is to have them ready to go and run like an assembly line. After one is signed, its put back in the box and another unsigned bobblehead is placed on the table. They lined up and ready to go!

Clay arrives right on time and starts the task of signing each one.

When done, Clay takes a moment to pose with the little statue of him. Mission accomplished!

After thanking Clay for his time, and wishing him the best in the future, I’m feeling hunger pangs. We head over to Game On but there’s about a one hour wait for food. After downing a bottle of water, I head to the press box to eat. Bill and I have passes that allow entrance to the press box. They always have great food there. After paying the small fee, I indulge in a hot dog, a couple of slices of pizza, some chicken fingers and fries. I grab a soda and have a seat with umpiring supervisor/evaluator Kevin O’Connor. Lou Merloni is at the next table and we chat a bit. Being it’s a rather important series with the Rays, the media is well represented. The place is pretty crowded and baseball talk fills the room.

It’s quite a view from the press box.

All the media folks take their spots.

After getting a full belly I figure I will watch a few innings. I sit in the State Street Pavilion area. I love this area for many reasons. You can watch “The Shift” and you  can watch the play develope. I get there just after the National Anthem was finished and it was time to Play Ball! On the first pitch the batter bunts….Becket sprints in, bare hands the ball and makes some type of attempt to roll the ball to first base. The ball drifts away from the first baseman and heads down the right field line while the runner heads into second base standing up. Not really a good start. After a pop-up, Evan Longoria step up to the plate and blasted a shot into the Green Monster. From where I was sitting, it appeared to clearly be a homerun. The umpires jogged into the Rays dugout to review the play. The video board lets us all know…

Josh Reddick and teammates await the umpires decision. All they needed to do was yell up to me…I would have saved everyone time and tell them it was “Outta Here!”

     A short while later the fans are advised. Just as I suspected.

     The Red Sox pull out a win. I wish in my heart that the PawSox were in Alberqueqe, New Mexico to play for the Governors Cup tomorrow (Tuesday the 20th)  PawSox Fans are by far the most passionate, loyal and knowledgable fans in the world. The fans make it very enjoyable to come to work. Thank you once again for the 2011 season. Please stay tuned throughout the off-season to see what’s going on. The PawSox love their fans which make it very easy to be…………..”Here For You!”

 

     Yours in Baseball,

      Rick Medeiros

rickm@pawsox.com

Hello PawSox Fans!

      Time sure does fly by. It seems like only a few weeks ago we were getting ready for opening day and now here we are playing the second game in the playoffs against the Iron Pigs in Lehigh Valley. The PawSox lost their first game, down by a run in the second game, but you gotta have faith! Our Team, Our Time!

    A lot has happened since the last blog post. The PawSox played at Fenway Park as part of the Futures at Fenway Day on August 20th. It was an awesome day, and although the PawSox lost, a great time was had by all. I had a visit from a very good friend and PawSox fan. Toby and his mom and dad came to Fenway to watch the game, visiting from the other side of the pond, England. Toby brought me a card that he made himself, and I still have it on my desk.

  

    We also had a visit from Good Old Irene who brought strong winds and driving rain. The surf at Island Park in Portsmouth was really kicking up and crashing over the wall.

        Once the power was back up and running, the PawSox clinched the North Division Championship at McCoy. It was quite a celebration on the field after the game. This is such a great photo by Jillian Souza of Team President Mike Tamburro about to be drenched with champagne from PawSox Manager Arnie Beyeler. The fluid is caught in mid-air flight!

     Pitcher Tony Pena hugs his teammate amid all the flying champagne.

       Needless to say, the season has been fun, and it’s not over yet!  Head out to McCoy to cheer your PawSox on the first Governors Cup Title since 1984. Saturday the 2004 and 2007 World Series Trophies will be on hand and the first 3,000 fans will get a full color Arnie’s Army Poster. The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs have adopted the slogan, “Bring Home the Bacon!” I say, lets fry up the bacon and stick a fork in the pork! Lets go all the way….Even during the post season.the whole PawSox staff will be………..”Here For You!”

     Yours in Baseball,

      Rick Medeiros