Red Sox Equipment Truck Departs For Fort Myers
BOSTON (CBS) -- Snow is on the ground, but spring is in the air in Boston.
Wednesday was "Truck Day" at Fenway Park, a sure sign that warmer times are just around the corner.
The Red Sox equipment truck is off to Fort Myers, Florida, beginning its 1,480-mile trip to the Red Sox' spring training facilities around noon on Wednesday. Team staff and Wally the Green Monster were there to see the truck off, tossing stress baseballs to the many fans gathered outside the park.
Crews began loading up the gear around 7 a.m., and some of the equipment being brought to Florida includes:
- 20,400 baseballs
- 1,100 bats
- 200 batting gloves
- 200 batting helmets
- 320 Batting Practice tops
- 160 white game jerseys
- 300 pairs of pants
- 400 t-shirts
- 400 pairs of socks
- 20 cases of bubble gum
- 60 cases of sunflower seeds
For the 18th consecutive year, Milford native Al Hartz is behind the wheel for the journey.
Dan Roche's "Truck Day" Poem (at 8:30 mark):
"Truck Day," the unofficial start of spring training, has been a Red Sox tradition since 2003. Red Sox pitchers and catchers are due to report on February 18, while position players have to arrive by February 23. The team's first full-squad workout will be held on February 24.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mike Macklin reports
