WORCESTER – Larry Lucchino brought the Triple-A farm club of the Boston Red Sox to Worcester in 2021 and this week he said it’s time for him to sell the Worcester Red Sox, aka the WooS.
Lucchino, WooSox chairman and principal owner, told Bob Lobel and Mike Lynch on their podcast, “UnAnchored Boston,” that he’s enjoyed his time with the team, but added, “I’m now 78. I’ve been at this for over 40 years, so it’s time to sell this team and to move on to a blissful retirement.”
Lucchino served as president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox from 2001-2015 and then purchased the Pawtucket Red Sox for $25 million. Lucchino moved the team to Worcester in 2021 and signed a 35-year lease with the city.
Lucchino said he’s looking to find a local buyer.
WooSox president Charles Steinberg texted the Worcester Guardian on Saturday to report, “Ever since the summer of 2021, potential suitors have expressed interest in the WooSox. That interest continues.”
Steinberg also said via text, “Larry Lucchino and his partners committed to keep the team in Worcester for at least 35 years, so the WooSox are here to stay.”
Steinberg did not answer questions about when he expects the team to be sold or if he would want to remain as team president if the team is sold.
Polar Beverages in Worcester purchased the naming rights to the WooSox ballpark three years ago, but it’s not known if the company would be interested in becoming part of a new team ownership group as well.
The nearly 10,000-seat Polar Park opened in 2021 at a cost of $159 million with the city paying for more than half of it.
The opening of Polar Park has prompted major housing and business development nearby.
Lucchino also oversaw the construction of new ballparks while he served as president of the Baltimore Orioles and the San Diego Padres and major renovations of Fenway Park when he was president of the Boston Red Sox.
The Boston Globe reported in early 2022 that Endeavor, a company based in California, offered to purchase the WooSox for $50,000, but that Lucchino rejected the bid.
Last March, Lucchino told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that it would be “probably a couple more years” before he’d consider selling the team.
In their three seasons in Worcester, the WooSox have posted records of 74-54, 75-73 and 79-68. In each of the past two seasons, the WooSox have ranked sixth in attendance in Minor League Baseball, averaging 7,190 in 2022 and 7,424 this year.
Bill Doyle has been a professional journalist for 47 years, most of them as a sports writer for the Telegram & Gazette. He covered the Boston Celtics for 25 years and has written extensively about golf, boxing and local high school and college sports. He also worked for the campus newspaper when he attended UMass-Amherst. He can be reached at billdoyle1515@gmail.comBy Bill Doyle
WORCESTER – Larry Lucchino brought the Triple-A farm club of the Boston Red Sox to Worcester in 2021 and this week he said it’s time for him to sell the WooSox.
Lucchino, WooSox chairman and principal owner, told Bob Lobel and Mike Lynch on their podcast, “UnAnchored Boston,” that he’s enjoyed his time with the team, but added, “I’m now 78. I’ve been at this for over 40 years, so it’s time to sell this team and to move on to a blissful retirement.”
Lucchinos served as president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox from 2001-2015 and then purchased the Pawtucket Red Sox for $25 million. Lucchino moved the team to Worcester in 2021 and signed a 35-year lease with the city.
Lucchino said he’s looking to find a local buyer.
WooSox president Charles Steinberg texted the Worcester Guardian on Saturday to report, “Ever since the summer of 2021, potential suitors have expressed interest in the WooSox. That interest continues.”
Steinberg also said via text, “Larry Lucchino and his partners committed to keep the team in Worcester for at least 35 years, so the WooSox are here to stay.”
Steinberg did not answer questions about when he expects the team to be sold or if he would want to remain as team president if the team is sold.
Polar Beverages in Worcester purchased the naming rights to the WooSox ballpark three years ago, but it’s not known if the company would be interested in becoming part of a new team ownership group as well.
The nearly 10,000-seat Polar Park opened in 2021 at a cost of $159 million with the city paying for more than half of it.
The opening of Polar Park has prompted major housing and business development nearby.
Lucchino also oversaw the construction of new ballparks while he served as president of the Baltimore Orioles and the San Diego Padres and major renovations of Fenway Park when he was president of the Boston Red Sox.
The Boston Globe reported in early 2022 that Endeavor, a company based in California, offered to purchase the WooSox for $50,000, but that Lucchino rejected the bid.
Last March, Lucchino told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that it would be “probably a couple more years” before he’d consider selling the team.
In their three seasons in Worcester, the WooSox have posted records of 74-54, 75-73 and 79-68. In each of the past two seasons, the WooSox have ranked sixth in attendance in Minor League Baseball, averaging 7,190 in 2022 and 7,424 this year.
Bill Doyle has been a professional journalist for 47 years, most of them as a sports writer for the Telegram & Gazette. He covered the Boston Celtics for 25 years and has written extensively about golf, boxing and local high school and college sports. He also worked for the campus newspaper when he attended UMass-Amherst. He can be reached at billdoyle1515@gmail.com
