Pawtucket McCoy Stadium Holds Cherished Memories

Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, I don't care if I never get back.

Well, I guess that's a good thing because there's no going back to Pawtucket's McCoy Stadium.

The state announced the former home of the Pawtucket Red Sox will be demolished in mid-March. The beloved ballpark will be knocked down to make space for a new high school.

READ MORE: Last Chance to See Pawtucket's McCoy Stadium Before Demolition

This isn't the first time we say goodbye to the Pawtucket icon. Back in 2018 the team announced it would be moving to Worcester. The WooSox had their first Opening Day in 2021, bringing fans to Massachusetts and some staff too.

WooSox (and former PawSox) public address announcer Ben DeCastro spoke with The MGM Show about his role, his time with the team and memories of growing up going to McCoy Stadium.

"My memories go all the way back before I was announcing. I grew up less than a mile from the stadium in Pawtucket," DeCastro said. "It was not out of the ordinary for my grandfather or my dad say 'hey, let's go run down, let's catch a few innings at the PawSox.'"

DeCastro recalled seeing some of the legends who get their start in Pawtucket before making it big.

"I saw everybody there from Jackie Bradley Jr., I saw Roger Clemens pitch there one time, you had Big Papi. I got to announce Big Papi a couple of occasions, Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogarts," he said. "It was great, it was fun."

Aside from the top-tier talent, fans would flock to McCoy to get an experience unlike anything else. "Cutting a milk jug to fish for autographs over the rail" is something significant DeCastro remembered.

He and others have shared many a nostalgia conversation over the years.

"There's 75 games there, but there's a whole crew that works there all year long so there's many, many memories and it's cool to go back to that nostalgia and remember those little things," DeCastro said.

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I have some great memories of the ballpark as well.

The countless times spent walking that winding ramp out to the parking lot, getting a giant freeze pop for 50 cents, starting a "Let's Go, Mo" chant when Mo Vaughn would step up to the plate, playing catch with my dad on the field, watching fireworks and many,, many more.

My time hosting The Rhode Show on WPRI 12 also gave me some incredible moments at the park.

I once threw out the first pitch, was able to get a behind-the-scenes look at the locker room and field as it was prepped for Opening Day.

I even played in a charity softball game with the likes of Magic Johnson, Smokey Robinson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

It was hard enough hearing the news of the PawSox departure in 2018, not mention having a baby the next year and realizing he wouldn't be able to experience the magic of McCoy. While it took some time to accept the fate, there's something about this recent news that's hitting my heart again, even harder.

Thank you, McCoy. Thank you for the fun. Thank you for being home to some of the best players who went on to wear the Red Sox uniform. Thank you for being part of my childhood. Thank you for the memories that will be cherished forever.