2013 World Series Champions Jake Peavy and Jarrod Saltalamacchia Visit Fans in the Sherwood's Diner Tuesday, August 30
On a sunny evening Tuesday, August 30, 2022, fans attending the Worcester Red Sox’ game against the Buffalo Bisons (Triple-A, Toronto Blue Jays) took a trip down memory lane. Special guests Jake Peavy and Jarrod Saltalamacchia paid a trip to Polar Park and brought with them some hardware. Honored as
On a sunny evening Tuesday, August 30, 2022, fans attending the Worcester Red Sox’ game against the Buffalo Bisons (Triple-A, Toronto Blue Jays) took a trip down memory lane. Special guests Jake Peavy and Jarrod Saltalamacchia paid a trip to Polar Park and brought with them some hardware.
Honored as the “Hometown Heroes” during pre-game ceremonies, the 2013 World Series champions were introduced with a video tribute. Then, Peavy fired a perfect strike to his old batterymate, Salty. Serenaded by cheers from the fans, the duo and their 2013 World Series trophy, made their way off the field to enjoy the rest of their night at Polar Park.
Between the third and fifth innings, the duo was stationed in the Sherwood’s Diner, located on Summit Street out in right-center field. Fans flooded the diner, looking for a chance to meet the players for autographs and pictures. Who wouldn’t want a picture with two Red Sox legends?
2013 was a difficult season for Red Sox Nation. Coming off a disastrous last-place finish in 2012, the Red Sox entered 2013 with a new manager looking to turn things around. After a thrilling walk-off win on “Marathon Monday,” the City of Boston was rocked by the horrific events of the Boston Marathon Bombing. Over the summer, the team helped heal the city. The city rallied behind the Red Sox, as the team fed off the energy from the fans en route to a magical October run and the third World Series title in less than 10 years.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia was the starting catcher for the Red Sox during this magical 2013 run. In 121 games behind the dish, the then-28-year-old hit .273 with an .804 OPS, hitting 14 HR while driving in 65 runs. “Salty” was an integral part of the 2013 team, as a stud behind the plate and one of the faces of the “Fear the Beard” campaign the team dubbed in the postseason. His biggest moment from the 2013 playoffs was a walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th against the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the ALCS.
Jake Peavy was acquired on July 30, 2013. The veteran immediately had an impact, as he went 7 innings strong with 7 strikeouts in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in his Red Sox debut at home. The righthander would go 4-1 with 45 strikeouts across 64.2 IP in 10 starts down the stretch for his new team. Following the 2013 championship parade, Peavy purchased the duck boat he rode in.
The championship teammates spent some time on the NESN+ broadcast in the second inning of the WooSox game Aug. 30, 2022. When asked what they think about the new ballpark in Worcester, Peavy replied, “What’s got me is out in left-center. If anyone knows me and my love for Boston and what happened after that ’13 season, duck boats hold a special place in the Peavy family, and so to see that you guys have the Wormtown, it’s just amazing to see. I love the Boston touch of that. What a phenomenal job of everyone to deliver this right here, what more can you ask?”
On what the 2013 run meant, Peavy had a heartfelt response that encapsulated the importance of winning the World Series, “There was something larger than life happening in Boston; we were just the right men in the right spot and had this chemistry, this brotherhood that was real. When the city kind of got turned upside down there, the Bruins lost in game 6 at the Garden and we were kind of the only game left in town, and there was so much positive good energy at Fenway.”
As a fan myself, I know I felt that way about that magical season, and to see the players feel the same and recognize the atmosphere that was Fenway Park every night that summer is something very special.
Even though the WooSox didn’t get a win that Tuesday night, the fans and Red Sox Nation sure did; it's not every day that you have Red Sox royalty in the house. We want to thank Jake Peavy and Jarrod Saltalamacchia for spending some time at Polar Park. The fans of Worcester really showed out for it, as you could see by the turnout at the Sherwood’s Diner on Summit Street. 2013 will always hold a special place in our hearts, and it’s nice to experience a firsthand connection to some of the most important pieces of that championship team.