Russ Moore: Raimondo’s First Test, Keep The Pawsox in RI
Monday, January 12, 2015
Just mere days into the Governorship of Gina Raimondo and she’s already tasked with a tall order—find a way to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox where they belong—in Pawtucket.
Like so many issues faced by new governors, the issue is one that was never even mentioned during last year’s highly contentious gubernatorial campaign. The potential sale of the Pawtucket Red Sox wasn’t on anyone’s radar screen. Instead, we were busy talking about the route 195 land, the minimum wage, abortion, and scores of other issues.
First Test
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDuring Raimondo’s inaugural speech last week, she called for patience in her quest to improve the Rhode Island economy. While we never heard her say that it was going to take a long time to fix the state’s economy during her campaign, she is undoubtedly correct that real reforms take time to bear fruit.
But the news of the potential sale and moving of the Pawtucket Red Sox gives her an opportunity to showcase her considerable talents of persuasion, marketing, and business acumen. Raimondo needs to make the case to the new Pawtucket Red Sox ownership that Pawtucket remains an ideal place to keep the major league clubs minor league affiliate. That may require some well-thought-out incentives.
If Raimondo, and Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien can convince the potential new owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox to stay in Pawtucket, they will save scores of season jobs as well as a bunch of yearlong full-time jobs that are needed to keep the operation up and running. That’s very important for a city like Pawtucket and the state of Rhode Island, both of which need all the jobs they can get (and keep).
A Challenging Opportunity
To his credit, Grebien’s staff told the Providence Journal last week that the mayor’s vision includes transforming the Pawtucket Red Sox surrounding area into a mini Patriot Place, with clothing stores and restaurants surrounding the stadium. That would be a terrific idea that would represent a great deal of economic development for Pawtucket.
It’s a good sign that Raimondo appears willing to work on saving the Pawtucket Red Sox. Should she succeed, it would represent her first victory as the state’s governor.
The issue is about more than just jobs and economic development, though that issue is clearly tantamount right now. The issue is also about culture and the Pawtucket Red Sox are an important aspect of Rhode Island’s cultural scene.
When Mondor died in late 2010, nobody really considered the fact that his successors would consider selling the team. But perhaps it should’ve been considered. Ben Mondor, the highly charismatic and beloved owner of the Pawtucket Red Sox, who saved the team from bankruptcy in 1977, kept the team located in Pawtucket, renovated the stadium several times and making it one of the most beautiful and fan friendly minor league ballparks in the nation. Without Mondor’s vision, energy, and passion for the ballclub in Pawtucket, something has been missing.
Pawsox are Integral Part of RI culture
That’s bad news. Unlike their counterparts up in Boston, the Pawtucket Red Sox owners have put their target customers ahead of their own greed. Pawtucket Red Sox fans don’t need to take out a loan or visit their local pawn shop in order to buy four tickets to the game (it would cost under $30) and buy a few sodas and hot dogs and popcorns for the kids. Even the souvenirs are reasonably priced.
Further, the stadium also features super convenient parking. Paid parking, as of last year, cost a mere two dollars, and if you’re too cheap to fork that over (like your humble correspondent) than there’s an abundance of on-street parking available.
As every baseball fan knows, the Boston Red Sox are the exact opposite. The Boston Red Sox ownership tries, not unsuccessfully, to squeeze every last dollar out of their fans. Unlike the Pawtucket Red Sox ownership, which viewed their fans as a resource to protect, the Boston Red Sox ownership takes a more predatory view of their fans—charging obscene prices for souvenirs and snacks at ball games. Feel like have an ice cold beer and a hot dog? Better have a $20 bill in your pocket!
Is She Up To The Task?
That’s the other reason why it’s so important for the Pawtucket Red Sox to stay here. Families, especially during difficult economic times, need an outlet like the Pawtucket Red Sox to entertain their children and introduce them to the great game of baseball without breaking their budgets in the process. The Pawtucket Red sox have been that place for literally decades, and to lose that treasure would be a nightmare.
That’s something Gina Raimondo doesn’t need on her record or her watch. Thankfully, Raimondo is extremely talented, intelligent, and understands business. Here’s hoping she can handle this situation as brilliantly as she handled her gubernatorial campaign. There’s a lot at stake.
And Rhode Island will be watching.
Russell Moore has worked on both sides of the desk of RI media, for both political campaigns and newspapers. Follow him on twitter @russmoore713 or send him email at [email protected]
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