Curt Flood, Who Set the Stage for Free Agency
Curt Flood's legacy of fighting for and eventually winning free agency rights for players was his greatest contribution to the game of baseball. He entered the world in Houston, TX in 1938, and he died at the start of 1997 in Los Angeles, CA. Some may remember Flood’s seven-year streak
Curt Flood's legacy of fighting for and eventually winning free agency rights for players was his greatest contribution to the game of baseball. He entered the world in Houston, TX in 1938, and he died at the start of 1997 in Los Angeles, CA.
Some may remember Flood’s seven-year streak of success with the St. Louis Cardinals kicking off in 1963. During that period, Flood captured six Gold Glove awards, six MVP recognitions, and consistently batted over .300.
Beyond the diamond, Flood was an unlikely artist. His creative eye led him to paint, write poems, and participate in theater before the majors. As a professional, he balanced the pressures of the game with the peace of painting. He even opened Curt Flood Photography studio in the late 1960s while still playing.
On January 16, 1970, Flood filed a $1 million lawsuit against Major League Baseball, alleging violation of federal antitrust laws. It was argued before the Supreme Court in 1972, and in 1975, the reserve clause was finally struck down, improving free agency rights for players for decades to come.
Flood served as Senior Professional Baseball Commissioner in 1989 and built the Curt Flood Youth Foundation shortly after. His foundation served children in foster care and greatly improved the lives of those with immunodeficiency.
“He’s Just a Complete Player”: From Jeopardy! to Futures Game, Garcia’s Rise and Recognition of No Surprise in Worcester
WORCESTER, MA — “It's something many use every day to unlock things online & the nickname of Red Sox prospect Jhostynxon Garcia," read one of the clues on the May 26 episode of Jeopardy!, the popular trivia TV show. One of the contestants answered the prompt in the show’s trademark
"Something Cheesy" Provides New Grilled Cheese, Mac and Cheese, and Juice at Family Prices to Lead WooSox' 2nd-Half Initiatives
WORCESTER, MA — Grilled Cheese for $4.75, Mac & Cheese for $5, popular “Hoodsie Cups” for $3, and Capri Sun Juice Pouches for $2.50 lead a list of family-friendly culinary innovations in the WooSox’ fifth straight edition of “Second-Half Initiatives.” Red Sox Hall of Famer Fred Lynn helps celebrate the
Eight Extra-Base Hits Power WooSox to 11-5 Win in Rochester
ROCHESTER, NY — Thanks to a prolific offensive performance, the Worcester Red Sox (4-9, 45-42) topped the Rochester Red Wings (4-9, 31-54) on Tuesday night at Innovative Field by an 11-5 final for their second-consecutive victory. Vaughn Grissom led the charge offensively, going 4-for-4 with two singles, two doubles, two
Zavala Homers, WooSox Fall 3-1 in Syracuse
SYRACUSE, NY — Despite four scoreless innings from their bullpen, the Worcester Red Sox (2-9, 43-42) dropped the penultimate game of their six-game, home-and-home series with the Syracuse Mets (9-2, 40-46) by a 3-1 final on Saturday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Francisco Alvarez opened the scoring with a two-run
Ballou on Baseball - July 2, 2025
By Bill Ballou, Durability, reliability and consistency are old-fashioned concepts in this baseball era of the infinite Injured List. There is a lot to be said for just showing up, though. The Cy Young Award is, after all, named after the pitcher who holds the record for most career losses.
WooSox Held to Two Hits in Loss to RailRiders
MOOSIC, PA — The Worcester Red Sox (1-5, 42-38) dropped the series finale to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (5-1, 43-35) by a 6-1 final on Sunday afternoon at PNC Field. The WooSox scored the game’s first run in the top of the fourth. With two outs and the bases empty, Vaughn
WooSox Bats Quiet in Loss to RailRiders
MOOSIC, PA — Despite a strong start from Robert Stock, the Worcester Red Sox (0-2, 41-35) dropped game two of their six-game series with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (2-0, 40-34) on Wednesday night at PNC Field to by a 4-0 final. The WooSox offense was held in check by RailRiders starter
“Ballparks are living organisms”: Janet Marie Smith reflects on storied career in ballpark design
To headline this year’s UniBank Women in Sports Day on Saturday, June 7 in a packed DCU Club at Polar Park, renowned ballpark designer and 2025 WooSox Hall of Famer Janet Marie Smith spoke about how she, alongside the late WooSox Chairman and Principal Owner Larry Lucchino, revolutionized downtowns nationwide
Mark “Pathfinder” Epstein talks “Cape Dreams” to launch 2025 Great Polar Park Writers Series
After attracting multiple standing-room crowds last year, the 2025 season of the Great Polar Park Writers Series began on Saturday, May 24. Mark “Pathfinder” Epstein, a Worcester native and award-winning author, spoke about his love for baseball and his newest book, Cape Dreams: A Season with the Brewster Whitecaps. “I
“Everything But the Game”: WooSox to Present First-Ever 4th of July Family Fest
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox, who for the first time play on the road on Independence Day, will present a first-ever 4th of July Family Fest at Polar Park from 4-9 p.m. A glorious, traditional UniBank Fireworks display will cap a series of events that include a screening
Jordan Triples, Drives in Three as WooSox Win 7-1
WORCESTER, M.A. – The Worcester Red Sox (40-32) won their third in four games this week against the Buffalo Bisons (29-42), a 7-1 win on Friday night at Polar Park in front of a season-high 8,602. Down 1-0 after one, the WooSox began their comeback effort in the bottom of
Ballou on Baseball - June 18, 2025
By Bill Ballou, Player development is about the Kristian Campbells, Roman Anthonys, Marcelo Mayers and Chase Meidroths of the world, but that is not all it is about. It’s about the Brian Van Belles, also. The WooSox’ best pitcher in 2025, so far, is gone to Cincinnati (AAA-Louisville) in a
The Second Edition of the Great Polar Park Writer Series - Saturday, June 21
A homegrown analysis of the 2025 Red Sox season and more The second edition of the Great Polar Park Writer Series will be held on Saturday, June 21st in the DCU Club at Polar Park. Gates open at 12:30 pm and the program will run from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.
Criswell Tosses Four Scoreless, WooSox Drop Series Finale to IronPigs
ALLENTOWN, PA — Despite a strong start from Cooper Criswell, the Worcester Red Sox (37-31) dropped the series finale on Sunday at Coca-Cola Park to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (46-23) by a 4-1 final. The WooSox are now 4-4-4 in their first 12 series of the season: four wins, four
Jordan Drives Home Winning Run in Tenth, WooSox Win 5-3 in Extras
ALLENTOWN, P.A. – The Worcester Red Sox (37-30) scored twice in the tenth to beat the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (45-23) on Saturday night, a 5-3 win at Coca-Cola Park. For the second straight night, the WooSox went to extra innings on the road. In a 3-3 game, they put runners
De Leon Hurls Five Strong Innings, WooSox Fall to IronPigs In Extras
ALLENTOWN, PA — Despite a strong start from Jose De Leon, the Worcester Red Sox (36-30) fell in extra innings on Friday night at Coca-Cola Park, losing 4-3 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (45-22) in 10 innings. With the WooSox leading 3-2 in the bottom of the tenth, Payton Henry