Red Sox reveal players, alumni attending Winter Weekend 2019
By Sean Penney
The list of players past and present attending the 2019 Boston Red Sox Winter Weekend has been revealed but a few big names are missing.
Before the Boston Red Sox head to Fort Myers to begin spring training, they’ll be making a pitstop at Foxwoods Resort Casino for the 5th annual Winter Weekend.
The event includes a variety of attractions, including a Town Hall meeting where fans can ask ownership and Senior Management questions, panels from baseball insiders, plus kid-friendly games and activities. The real draw though is the opportunity to meet the players. Red Sox stars from the past and present will attend the event to greet the fans, sign autographs and take pictures.
The official Red Sox website has been updated with the names of those attending the Winter Weekend. As far as the current players, half the 40-man roster is confirmed to be there. That list includes:
Matt Barnes, Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, Ryan Brasier, Rafael Devers, Brock Holt, Brian Johnson, Sandy Leon, Mitch Moreland, Eduardo Nunez, Steve Pearce, Rick Porcello, Bobby Poyner, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale, Blake Swihart, Tyler Thornburg, Sam Travis, Marcus Walden, Christian Vazquez.
Not a bad list. We have the staff ace, a former Cy Young winner, a World Series MVP, plus several emerging young stars. Fans certainly can’t complain about the star power in attendance but there are a few notable names missing.
Reigning MVP Mookie Betts is absent from the list, as is star slugger J.D. Martinez. Playoff heroes Nathan Eovaldi and Jackie Bradley Jr. aren’t scheduled to attend. David Price is apparently too busy playing video games to make it. Dustin Pedroia is another surprise omission. This would have been an opportunity for Pedroia to remind the fans, “Hey, I’m still here and I’m healthy now!”
A few of these guys are expected to be the leaders of this team so it’s a bit perplexing that they aren’t involved in this event. Granted, they may have good reasons for skipping it. Betts became a father two months ago so he can be forgiven for staying home. It’s also possible that there will be a few surprise appearances or last-minute additions.
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In addition to this group of 2018 World Series champions, there will also be about two dozen alumni in attendance:
Wade Boggs, Boof Bonser, Billy Conigliaro, Jim Corsi, Dennis Eckersley, Alan Embree, Dwight Evans, Carlton Fisk, Keith Foulke, Craig Hansen, Tommy Harper, Sam Horn, Chris Howard, Jim Lonborg, Mike Lowell, Fred Lynn, Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, Jeff Plympton, Jim Rice, Brian Rose, Ken Ryan, Luis Tiant, Jason Varitek.
There are several Hall of Famers on that list, plus a few others who were integral parts of past World Series teams.
The Red Sox coaching staff will also be at the event, led by manager Alex Cora, who also counts as alumni.
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The Winter Weekend provides fans with a unique opportunity to meet some of their heroes. Take a selfie with Big Papi to throw up on your Instagram or have Chris Sale sign a baseball that you can display on your mantle. The event has been a success the past few years and this time will be no different.