McCoy Stadium

A grass berm in the outfield is a popular seating option for families.
A grass berm in the outfield is a popular seating option for families.

If you’re a fan of the Boston Red Sox, no baseball road trip that takes you to Fenway Park is complete without a jaunt to Pawtucket, which is less than 50 miles away. The Pawtucket Red Sox roster is packed with players who will one day appear at Fenway, as well as others who’ve had stints in the majors with the BoSox or other clubs.

McCoy Stadium is the oldest park in the International League and one of the smallest. And, let’s just say you won’t soon find another park like it. The design is unique and the amenities are basic, but if you enjoy baseball, you can’t go wrong with the charm of the park that opened back in 1942 – just don’t expect the same experience you’d find at a modern ballpark.

The Pawtucket Red Sox, or PawSox, as they’re more commonly known, have called McCoy home since 1970. If you’ve been a fan of a player on the MLB’s Red Sox over the last 40 years, there’s a good chance he once suited up in Pawtucket. The PawSox do a great job of honoring past stars with a number of banners and displays outside and inside the park. The park isn’t only notable for its age and ties to history; it’s also the site of the longest game in professional baseball history. In 1981, the Red Sox needed 33 innings to top the Rochester Red Wings. The game featured future stars Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken, Jr.