Red Sox’ equipment truck heads to Florida, marking the unofficial start of spring training

BOSTON — Monday is Truck Day for Red Sox Nation, when the Sox’ equipment truck travels 1,480 miles to Fort Myers, Florida, for spring training at JetBlue Park.

This has been a Red Sox tradition since 2003, marking the unofficial start of spring training. The truck, driven by Milford native Al Hartz for the 24th straight year, will be loaded at 7 a.m. and leave around noon with 20,400 baseballs, 1,100 bats, 200 batting gloves and 60 cases of sunflower seeds, among hundreds of helmets, jerseys, pants and cases of gum.

Welcome to #TRUCKDAY 2020! pic.twitter.com/YBTme4xubb
— Red Sox (@RedSox) February 3, 2020

Here’s a look at the truck that will be taking thousands of baseballs and hundreds of bats and gloves, among other things down to Fort Myers for @RedSox spring training. #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/hzm4sz48Ha
— Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) February 3, 2020

The truck will be led by a flat-bed truck carrying Wally the Green Monster, his sister Tessie, and Fenway Ambassadors who will be tossing soft Red Sox baseballs to fans.

However, it won’t be transporting a manager, as the Sox and Alex Cora parted ways on Jan. 14 after the sign-stealing investigation revealed last month that he was the mastermind behind the operation while with the Houston Astros. There hasn’t been any sign from the Red Sox as to who they are looking to hire as a manager.

The Sox might also need to find another outfielder. Despite signing Mookie Betts to a one-year, $27 million deal on Jan. 10, there are many reports that the Sox are looking to trade the former American League MVP. Veteran analyst Peter Gammons tweeted that three different National League folks are calling a trade to the LA Dodgers “inevitable.”

Three different NL folks today predicted Betts-to-L.A. is "inevitable." Consensus deal:Alex Verdugo, Inf Jeter Downs, pitcher, maybe A prospect. Think P is LH Caleb Ferguson, 95 MPH FB/CB guy, 113-39 K-BB in 93.1 IP, eventual starter. Got brushed off Gray
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) February 2, 2020

A lot will have to be figured out soon as pitchers and catchers report next Wednesday.

Truck Day: Red Sox equipment truck readied to roll to Fort Myers The truck will begin its 1,480-mile journey to spring training as it leaves Fenway Park Monday afternoon. The truck is loaded with over 20,000 baseballs, 20 cases of bubblegum, 1,100 bats and a whopping 60 cases of sunflower seeds.