85-Year-old Pawtucket Slaters BatBoy Takes a Walk Down Memory Lane at McCoy Stadium

This year the PawSox brought "Throwback Thursdays" to McCoy Stadium in an effort to preserve and celebrate the rich baseball history that is deep rooted in Rhode Island. Joining us on Thursday, June 30, was 85-year-old Gerald Czarn of Warwick, RI, who served as the visiting team's batboy for the Pawtucket Slaters from 1945-1950.   

Czarn wrote the PawSox a letter back in April, explaining his desire to attend a game and relive some of his precious memories as a batboy, which prompted the PawSox to invite him as a special honoree to throw out a first pitch before Thursday's game against Columbus.

Prior to the game, Czarn was able to sit in the visitor's dugout where he so fondly remembered running the bats, interacting with opposing players, and feeling as if he was part of the team. "It really hasn't changed much," Czarn explained. "They didn't have all those billboards in the outfield, and I think it was closer to 500 feet in straight-away Center Field, but the entire setup in both of the dugouts brings me right back to the 1940s."

Czarn was also taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of the ballpark, where he stopped and took a look at a jersey hanging on the wall--- The very Pawtucket Slaters jersey that the PawSox have modeled their new 2016 throwback uniforms off.

"It was a true pleasure hosting Gerald here at the ballpark," said PawSox Vice Chairman Mike Tamburro. "We enjoyed listening to his stories and learning more about what McCoy Stadium was like when it was home to the Pawtucket Slaters."

McCoy Stadium was erected in 1942 and was named after the late Mayor of Pawtucket, Thomas P. McCoy, who according to Czarn would take in many Slaters games directly behind home plate. "When I threw out my first pitch, I felt like he was watching me from the front row!"  

"The whole night was a dream come true for me… I can't thank the PawSox enough for bringing me back to a place where I still have so many memories," Czarn reflected.

The PawSox will continue to host throwback nights during every Thursday home game, where a different piece of Rhode Island baseball history will be celebrated.