Taxi Squad and Dining on the Diamond!
By: Rick Medeiros
Tags: Sports, Red Sox, Baseball

Greetings PawSox Fans!

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly created a truckload of Firsts during 2020! Its the first time I ever used the words, “Social Distancing.” First time I had to wear a mask for most of the day and night, and the first I was ever part of a Taxi Squad.

The best way to describe Taxi Squad: A taxi squad is an informal name for the group of substitute players who shuffle between the major league team and its AAA affiliate depending on short-term needs.

The next question is, “Why is it called a Taxi Squad?” A little research explained: The term actually was coined by the Cleveland Browns in the 1940s. Coach Paul Brown invented it when he wanted to keep a group of promising players who didn’t make the roster. He didn’t want to get rid of them completely, so owner Arthur McBride put them on the payroll of the taxi company that he owned.

The Red Sox Taxi Squad consisted of about 34 players who spent time at McCoy. Some of the best prospects as well as some major league players were part of the squad. The players would practice, workout, and play simulation games that were streamed on the PawSox social media platforms.

A couple of the players were pitcher, Nick Pivetta…

18 year old, Nick Yorke…(Batter)

Due to COVID-19 there were strict guidelines for everyone involved with the squad. Upon arrival, all players and coaches were screened at a table outside the clubhouse entrance. Their temp was taken, and a long list of questions about symptoms had to be answered. They were tested often at the ballpark.

The clubhouse was off-limits to everyone except players and the clubhouse crew. Clubhouse Manager Josh Liebenow. Super Mario and Scraps Wagner handled the clubhouse, with 13 hour days being the norm and extremely rare day off. They were all subject to the strict guidelines of the players and coaching staff.

Part of the precaution used to keep everyone with the Taxi Squad safe was barricading 95% of the asphalt lot that was off-limits to all vehicles and foot traffic. This area had to be monitored at all times…

The PawSox front office staff was very limited, and only those with credentials were allowed in the barricaded area.

Perhaps one of the most unusual aspects of the Taxi Squad was instead of the players/coaches taking showers inside the clubhouse, there was a shower truck set up outside for them…

Another first was the idea of turning the ballpark into an outside dining experience. The PawSox check on the state guidelines for outdoor dining, to ensure we could adhere to all guidelines. Next, the PawSox recruited Jason Emmett who is very successful in the restaurant business in Florida.

The PawSox advertised for the first time ever on July 5th Dining on the Diamond on our social media platforms, and within 88 minutes, we were sold out of the maximum allowed by the state guidelines.

Since it began, the Dining on the Diamond has been a tremendous success. The experience of the atmosphere, food, and service is spectacular.

The drone shows a birds-eye view…

The menu has regular ballpark food, as well as BBQ dinner, steak tips, chicken, and the very popular lobster roll. Also a special Grand Slam Hot Dog! This special dog is a bacon-wrapped hot dog, topped with pulled pork, and topped again with mac and cheese! And the sunsets are majestic!

Currently, we have over 34,000 families on a waiting list. Visit pawsox.com to make a reservation and to check out all the upcoming special events at the ballpark!

As always, we are, “Here for You!”

Thanks for reading and love hearing from you rickm@pawsox.com

Yours in Baseball,

Rick Medeiros