WooSox sell out inaugural game at Polar Park

Photo | Courtesy of Worcester Red Sox WooSox players (from left) Jarren Duran and Jeter Downs at the team's first game at Polar Park.

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By Brad Kane

In an event in the works since 2018 that likely would have been a sellout regardless of capacity, the Worcester Red Sox first home game Tuesday at their $160-million public stadium in the Canal District sold out.

All 2,377 available seats were spoken for in advance of the first game at the 9,508-capacity Polar Park stadium. Attendance at the minor league baseball game against the Syracuse Mets had to be capped at 25% of the stadium's limit due to the state's regulations aimed at curtailing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Among the high-profile attendees were Pedro Martinez, the Hall of Fame pitcher from the Boston Red Sox; Jim Rice, the Hall of Fame outfielder from the Boston Red Sox; Bob Cousy, the Boston Celtics Hall of Famer; and Joe Torre, the chief baseball officer for Major League Baseball. Grammy-winning singer James Taylor and his son Henry sang the national anthem.

The three men most responsible for the WooSox relocating from Pawtucket, R.I. to the Canal District -- Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus, WooSox Chairman Larry Lucchino, and developer Denis Dowdle -- were among the honorees at the game on Tuesday, along with Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, and architect Janet Marie Smith.

The WooSox won the game 8-5, which was their third win of the season. The game featured six home runs. The team's second game at Polar Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, also sold out at 2,377.