WOOSOX

Milford's Al Hartz marks 25th year driving Red Sox equipment truck to Spring Training

Joe McDonald
Telegram & Gazette
The Boston Red Sox equipment truck, driven by Milford's Al Hartz, makes a stop Friday at Polar Park on its way to Florida.

WORCESTER — The Arctic-like weather Friday couldn’t keep WooSox fans away from Polar Park.

The Red Sox spring training truck made its annual departure from Fenway Park earlier in the day, and then made its first-ever stop in Worcester. Fans stood in the freezing cold to welcome the 53-foot truck as it arrived in the Canal District.

Al Hartz, of Milford, started driving the truck for the Red Sox in 1998. He has made the 1,480-mile trip from Fenway to Fort Myers, Florida — where it was 75 and sunny Friday — for 25 years.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s always nice to go to Florida in February,” he said. “I get to see behind the scenes at Fenway Park, plus at the ballpark in Fort Myers. I enjoy it a lot.”

Truck driver Al Hartz of Milford arrives at Polar Park with the Boston Red Sox equipment truck Friday on his way to Fort Myers, Florida.

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In the past, the truck stopped at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, which was the former home of the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate. Since this was the truck’s first stop in Worcester, Hartz did a dry run last weekend to learn how to navigate the area.

“I know there are a lot of small streets in Worcester, and the truck’s a little bit on the big side,” he said with a laugh.

Hartz also found Kelley Square to be an interesting challenge with the rig.

“I took up all the lanes,” he said with a laugh.

Worcester Red Sox President Dr. Charles Steinberg, left, greets Boston Red Sox equipment truck driver Al Hartz outside Polar Park Friday.

Several drivers honked their horns as the drove past the truck that was parked on Madison Street in front of Polar Park. Hartz said he used to the fan fair.

“I get a couple of one-fingered waves as I go through the Bronx, but that’s part of the fun, too.”

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Before he continued on his way, the WooSox presented Hartz with some specialty items from the Heart of the Commonwealth, including Coney Island hot dogs, Table Talk Pies, chocolate-dipped Oreos from Creative Cakes, shortbread cookie snack packs from The Market Pantry, Polar Water bottles, and one large mocha coffee from Creative Cakes.

Hartz described the drive as basic and easy. He takes Route 95 south all the way. Due to federal regulations, he’s only allowed to drive 11 hours, and then he’s required to sleep for 10 hours. He has his go-to stops on the way, and they all include a Golden Corral.

Milford's Al Hartz has driving the Boston Red Sox equipment truck to Florida to kick off Spring Training for the past 25 years.

The truck carries 20,400 baseballs, 1,100 bats, 200 pairs of batting gloves and helmets, 320 batting practice tops, 160 white game jerseys, 300 pairs of pants, 400 T-shirts, 400 pair of socks, 20 cases of bubble gum, and 60 cases of sunflower seeds.

Since many of the players’ families are also in Fort Myers during spring training, the truck also transports bicycles, baby carriages and playpens.

When asked what’s the most precious cargo on board, Hartz answered: “The driver, of course.”

The truck is scheduled to arrive 6 a.m. Monday at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. Crews will start to unpack it around 7 a.m., and it should be empty by noon.

Then Hartz is back in the driver’s seat for the immediate trip home. He does, however, return to Fort Myers during the Grapefruit League season and gets to enjoy a few days in the sun.

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.