The Second Annual WooSox Foundation Honors Gala Celebrates Community Heroes at Polar Park
It was a memorable evening at Polar Park on December 2, 2023, where the Worcester Red Sox hosted the second annual WooSox Foundation Honors Gala. This exciting night in Worcester featured special guest appearances, a behind-the-scenes look into the WooSox Foundation, an exquisite dinner, community honors, and even an afterparty
It was a memorable evening at Polar Park on December 2, 2023, where the Worcester Red Sox hosted the second annual WooSox Foundation Honors Gala. This exciting night in Worcester featured special guest appearances, a behind-the-scenes look into the WooSox Foundation, an exquisite dinner, community honors, and even an afterparty in the WooSox Clubhouse.
The event showcased champions of the Worcester community within the Foundation’s four areas of focus—Education, Social Justice, Conquering Cancer, and Diamond Sports.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Boston 25 News anchor Vanessa Welch, who served as the emcee of the event alongside Red Sox Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Castiglione.
“It’s always wonderful to be back here and see the way this team celebrates the community,” Castiglione said.
The WooSox Foundation paid tribute to the late Meghan Milonopoulos, North High School's assistant principal, for her profound impact on the students and community of the Worcester Public Schools and beyond. Meghan’s family and friends were welcomed on stage to receive the honor on her behalf.
A familiar face at Polar Park, Judi Kirk, was recognized for her constant dedication to various community organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club, YWCA, Girl Scouts, Girls, Inc., and YouthConnect Worcester, and received the “Social Justice Award.” Outside of her contributions to the Worcester community, Kirk is also a loyal WooSox season ticket member, and can be seen visiting the WooSox Foundation table and bidding on autographed memorabilia during games.
Dr. Jonathan Gerber, head of oncology at UMass Memorial Hospital, was honored with the “Conquering Cancer Award” for his relentless efforts in the fight against cancer. The audience learned about Dr. Gerber's impactful work. From weathering the pandemic to saving the lives of children and adults, his pioneering contributions make him a hero in the effort to conquer cancer.
City Councilor Sean Rose received the second annual “Diamond Sports Award” for his significant contributions to youth sports in Worcester with an emphasis on softball and baseball. His initiatives, such as the Worcester Union Sports League, have not only enriched the lives of young athletes, but also promoted inclusivity in sports. Red Sox Hall of Famer and WooSox Hitting Coach Rich Gedman, the first ever recipient of this award, was also in attendance and joined the celebration.
Generous sponsors, including Country Bank, UMass Memorial, 2-Twelve Consulting, and Anna Maria College, were also acknowledged for their crucial support, emphasizing their commitment to the community and the success of the WooSox Foundation's initiatives.
The Foundation also welcomed a Boston Red Sox 2013 World Series Champion and newly-minted Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow to Polar Park for the first time.
Gala attendees got to experience an intimate Q&A session with Breslow, who shared insights into his community service endeavors, notably with the Strike Three Foundation, emphasizing the importance of giving back.
The Foundation also welcomed to the stage the WooSox Scholars Class of 2023: Marrie Brenner, Diego Segura, Anayah Ortiz, and Jeremiah Mlay. Each year, the Foundation awards four Worcester Public Schools 8th graders with a $10,000 college scholarship to show them that their dreams are valid and funded.
“I want to thank this organization,” Worcester Mayor Joe Petty said. “This organization committed to the city of Worcester several years ago, and that commitment has gone a long way, and they are still committed going forward.”
The evening concluded with an exciting live auction that offered unique experiences and prizes to support the WooSox Foundation's programs. In a night filled with gratitude and generosity, Worcester came together to celebrate not only the achievements of the honorees, but also the spirit of community that makes Polar Park more than just a ballpark.
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
'Hungry' Alcántara hoping to pounce on big league prey in '25
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry. So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice. “His
Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Prospect Santos 'electric' in Spring Breakout start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch. In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more
Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.