Members of the business community and lawmakers share the excitement of the Pawtucket Red Sox organization with plans to bring the Triple-A baseball all star game to McCoy Stadium in 2004. They agree that it will be a wonderful opportunity to show off the area and the stadium to visitors from across the country. The 17th annual all-star game pits the best of the International League against the best of the Pacific Coast League.
"We could not be more excited," Senate Majority Leader Bill Irons said at a Jan. 25 press conference. Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce participated in the press conference-luncheon celebration.
Pawtucket last hosted an All-Star Game in 1977 when the International League all-stars beat the Boston Red Sox at McCoy Stadium 1-0.
PawSox President Mike Tamburro said the stadium, renovated several years ago, is the perfect setting for the all-star game.
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"Our outstanding fans deserve this marquee event and we are delighted to showcase McCoy Stadium to players and fans throughout the U.S. and Canada and to a nationally televised audience," he said.
When the teams come to Pawtucket in 2004, a three-day celebration will lead up to the game. Skills competitions at the stadium, a gala for players, baseball executives and fans, and an all-star lunch which is open to the public, will be held prior to the Wednesday night all-star game. The game will be played the night after the Major League All-Star game.
Branch Rickey, president of the Pacific Coast League, said McCoy Stadium was a unanimous choice for the game.
"Beyond competition, this event serves another important role for our clubs," he said. "It allows us to focus the limelight on one of our highly successful members, one of our best stadiums and one of our terrific cities…This game has become a great event and everyone involved in Triple-A baseball is already looking forward to having Pawtucket as the 2004 host."
This year’s all-star game will be played in Oklahoma City in July. In 2003,
the players will travel to Memphis for the competition.
