Red Sox Announce Details On “Truck Day” To Spring Training

Now that it's officially February, we're in spring training month as we inch closer to the 2024 MLB baseball season. In Boston, the Red Sox have released details about their annual "Truck Day," which will take place on Monday February 5.

If you are unfamiliar with the fan-favorite experience, here is what you need to know.

From Fenway to Florida, this is the first step to spring training kicking off. This fun tradition started in 2003. The Red Sox equipment truck will be loaded up, depart Fenway Park in Boston, and head down to Florida. According to a press release distributed by the team, the truck is filled with all the necessary equipment and gear. The loadup starts at 7 am on February 5. Five hours later, it departs down the east coast highway to head to Fort Myers. Along the way there are also some fun stops during this just under 1,500 mile trip.

Leading the way the 53-foot Red Sox truck "will be led by a flat-bed truck carrying Wally the Green Monster, his sister Tessie, and Fenway Ambassadors who will be tossing soft Red Sox baseballs to fans," the team said in a statement."

Then, it will stop about an hour later in Worcester at Polar Par. Upon arrival, WooSox mascots and fans who have gathered will give a send-off to the truck.

To start, it will be driven by Al Hartz for the 27th year in a row. Hartz is a Milford, Massachusetts native. The details of the precious cargo transported down to Fort Myers is fascinating. Here they are:

After Monday's celebration, pitchers and catchers will officially report in for spring training on February 14.

Boston Red Sox left fielder Alex Verdugo wears number 99. Closer Kenley Jansen wears number 74. At first glance, you may think these are not typical baseball uniform numbers. The organization has 11 options that are immediately unavailable. The Red Sox retired numbers include 10 players that are forever Yawkey Way legends, and one player who is forever a MLB legend.

The Red Sox first retired a uniform number in 1984. It was #4 which belonged to Joe Cronin, who spent 48 years in baseball. The nod was to honor the fact that Cronin was a player, manager, and executive with Boston. Five days later (May 29, 1984) the Red Sox retired Ted Williams' #9. It would be four years until another number was retired with Bobby Doerr.

In April of 1997 all of Major League Baseball retired #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson.

Walking into Fenway Park you will see banners draped along the outside walls of the stadium honoring each player who has their number retired. You will also see them displayed high above right field inside the park, complimenting the Pesky pole.

So, if you are catching a game this year and wondering why a starting pitcher like Nick Pivetta is sporting #37, it's important to know what his options were to select from. Here are the Red Sox retired numbers.