McCoy Stadium Sunset. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey.
Since the relocation of the Pawtucket Red Sox to Worcester, MA, baseball fans have wondered what was to become of beloved McCoy Stadium. Rumors circulated about an independent baseball team moving to the old ballpark or of a plan to convert the facility into a soccer stadium, but nothing came to fruition. The answer finally came this past November, when Pawtucket voters approved a measure to demolish the stadium and build a $300 million high school on the site.
The Pawsox had planned to close out their time in the Ocean State with a final season in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the entire season. Many fans felt that they never had a chance to say goodbye to their team or the ballpark.
Before McCoy Stadium comes down, the administration of Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien wants to give fans one last chance chance to enjoy the stadium.
PawSox Celebrate a walk-off home run in McCoy Stadium's final game. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey.
Barry Richard of 1420 WBSM reports that there are plans for a final celebration at McCoy.
"We are planning on having it around this coming Fourth of July and hoping to make it a multi-day celebration," stated Pawtucket Administration Spokesperson Grace Voll.
For many years, a highlight of every PawSox season were the fireworks held on and around the Foruth of July. "The goal is to tie it into the fireworks display, but I don't have anything confirmed, and that could change," Voll said.
Voll said nothing is definite yet regarding the ultimate demolition of McCoy Stadium. "We still don't have a timeline on demolition. I would say it is more likely to happen after the summer," she said.
McCoy Stadium closed with a whimper. Sending it out with a bang seems a much more appropriate way to say goodbye to this Rhode Island landmark.
McCoy Stadium Grandstand. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey.
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