Red Sox Season Unofficially Starts With Truck Day

BOSTON (CBS) -- Before one pitch is thrown, before one grounder is fielded and before any bat makes contact with a fastball, there must be Truck Day.

That day was Saturday, as the Red Sox' unofficial start to the season took place at 4 Yawkey Way.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports

Sox workers loaded up the truck, in front of a small crowd chanting "Let's Go Red Sox!"  before it left for the long trip down the East Coast to the team's spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla.

Wally The Green Monster and Fenway Ambassadors were there tossing soft baseballs to fans.

The World Series trophies from 2004, 2007 and 2013 were also on display in the Red Sox ticket office at the corner of Yawkey Way and Brookline Avenue.

For the 16th straight year, Al Hartz will drive the 53-foot truck to Florida.

Here's what he'll be carrying:

• 20,400 baseballs
• 1,100 bats
• 200 batting gloves
• 200 batting helmets
• 320 batting practice tops
• 160 white game jerseys
• 300 pairs of pants
• 400 t-shirts
• 400 pairs of socks
• 20 cases of bubble gum
• 60 cases of sunflower seeds

All of those items will be put to use shortly, as pitchers and catchers are due to report to Fort Myers next week, as the Red Sox begin their title defense.

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