Nathan Hickey is this season’s Worcester Red Sox MVP.
At least in terms of being the team’s Most Versatile Player, which makes him valuable as well, although he does not get the WooSox’ nod as the traditional MVP.
Hickey has, heading into the final week of the regular season, played games as the Designated Hitter, first baseman, catcher and has pitched. He has also been a pinch hitter and defensive replacement. A slugger with limited speed, Hickey has evolved into the classic DH-first baseman.
That’s why he is on the roster.
Hickey is a natural catcher but he was not expected to do that for Worcester in 2026. However, he played two games there when the team briefly ran out of receivers in late August.
It is the pitching thing that has installed Hickey as part of WooSox history, as part of Boston Triple-A history beyond that. He has, to date, made 13 appearances as a relief pitcher (Shohei Ohtani has pitched in 14 games this season, by the way).
That is by far the most by any position player in WooSox history, the most by any position player in Boston Triple-A history, going back at least into the 1970s. Since position players were very rarely used as pitchers until the 1990s, Hickey probably has an organizational record in that category.
Along the way in 2026, Hickey has become the first Boston Triple-A player to pitch and catch in the same season since Pawtucket’s Trent Durrington in 2005. Durrington was mostly an infielder. He was also the first Australian to play in the Boston organization.
Steve Lyons also pitched and caught in 1993 for the PawSox.
Hickey is the first player to hit a home run and be credited with a win in the same year since 2012. Andy LaRoche and Jonathan Hee both did it for Pawtucket in 2012. Hee also tripled in 2012. Hickey has two triples in 2026, joining Hee in that distinction.
Hickey is near the top of many WooSox career lists. His 276 games played are second to Nick Sogard; he is third in runs scored behind Sogard and Bobby Dalbec with 127; second in home runs (37) behind Dalbec; tied for second with Dalbec in hits (205) behind Sogard (399); and second in RBIs with 156, again behind Sogard, who has 183.
While not a speed guy, Hickey is 6 for 6 in stolen bases. His 1.000 percentage is fourth in that category. Greg Allen has the best perfect record stealing at 23 for 23 in ’23, his only season in Worcester. Blake Sabol and Matthew Lugo were both 7 for 7 during their time with the WooSox.
Both the WooSox and Hickey conclude the Season of ’26 at Polar Park this week. The schedule is per usual. Games start at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Saturday is a 4:05 start. Sunday’s first pitch is 1:05 in the afternoon.
The final homestand features a Polar Park appearance by Rich Hill, whose long career included a game with the Worcester Red Sox. He will do a Sherwood Diner autograph session Thursday night.
Ron Darling’s visit for the Larry Lucchino Writers Series before Saturday’s game has been canceled.
Instead, WooSox team president Dr. Charles Steinberg will do a Music of Baseball presentation.
Tuesday’s promotions include Taco & Tequila, Tail Waggin’, AARP Tickets and Los Wepas de Worcester; Wednesday is WWE Night with an appearance from Carmelo Hayes; Thursday is Deuces Wild with $2 hot dogs, beers and waters as well as the WooSox playing as the Kelley Squares.
The weekend includes Friday fireworks; Saturday is a Sunset Catch; Sunday’s finale features a pre-game team autograph session; Worcester Railers Day, including autographs at Sherwood Diner during the game; and Kids Run the Bases after the game.
The WooSox will be playing the Durham Bulls during the final homestand. It will be the only games between the teams in 2026. They have played 24 times in the past, 18 of those games at Polar Park. The WooSox have a 14-10 edge in the series.
The last home series of the year is generally one of the best-attended of the season for the WooSox. Through the years crowds have averaged 8,464 for the final set of home games.
It will be fans’ last chance to see many of this season’s WooSox players, some of whom will return in 2027, some not again in a Worcester uniform.
