Spring is Near: Red Sox Equipment Truck Arrives

Worcester Welcomes Truck Day

In a sign that spring is approaching, the Boston Red Sox Spring Training equipment truck has made its way to Polar Park on a mild Monday afternoon, with temperatures reaching 42 degrees. Milford’s Al Hartz drove the 53-foot truck full of baseball gear into a space along Madison Street, guided by mascots from the Worcester Red Sox, to the cheers of excited fans.

A Tradition for Al Hartz

Climbing down from the truck, Hartz proudly announced, “here’s your truck!” and shook hands with WooSox President Dr. Charles Steinberg. This marks Hartz’s 28th year driving the truck on the 1,480-mile journey from Fenway Park to Fort Myers, Florida. “I love this,” he expressed, appreciating the opportunity to see behind the scenes and spend winter in Florida.

What’s Inside the Truck?

The truck is loaded with an impressive amount of gear, including 20,400 baseballs, 1,100 bats, 200 pairs of batting gloves, and a variety of jerseys and pants. Despite the truck’s heavy load, Hartz keeps his cab light, opting not to stock up on food for the trip. “I hit the truck stops and have nice meals,” he shared, noting he was given plenty of sweets to enjoy during his journey.

On the Road

As Hartz travels down the highway to JetBlue Park, he receives attention from Massachusetts residents who recognize the truck, often waving and taking pictures. “I’m going to get down there Wednesday night, go to sleep, wake up Thursday morning, go to the ballpark, unload in a couple of hours, and start heading home again,” he said about his schedule.

Upcoming Season

The Red Sox are set to begin full squad workouts on February 12, followed by their first game, an exhibition match against Northeastern University, on February 21. Northeastern players from the area include several local talents. The Red Sox will kick off the regular season against Texas on March 27, with their home opener scheduled for April 4 against St. Louis.

Why This Role Matters

Hartz began this Truck Day tradition nearly 30 years ago through his employment with New England Household, the moving company associated with the Red Sox. During his short stay in Fort Myers, he has the chance to witness players up close. “It’s a thrill. I see a lot of things a lot of people don’t get to see,” he remarked about his experiences.

Tim Dumas is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. He can be reached at tdumas@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimDumas.