LAWRENCE — The Boston Red Sox brought some of their big boppers to Lawrence yesterday.
Included in their loaded travel bus was World Series champion manager Alex Cora, three-time champion player and coach Jason Varitek, new ace of the pitching staff Garrett Crochet and, of course, team mascot Wally The Green Monster.
Lawrence High and the South Lawrence Educational Complex were among the two locations in the city that the Red Sox stopped at as part of their weekend Fenway Fest which continues on Saturday morning (10:15 a.m.) with a full day of interaction with fans at Fenway Park.
Similar to last year, the Red Sox caravan stopped at a Boston school, this time East Boston High. This year, Lawrence was added to the docket.
Cora was part of a panel in the high school gym that included Varitek, Gold Glove winner Wilyer Abreu, a native of Venezuela, reliever Luis Guerrero, of the Dominican Republic and Australian-born reliever Liam Hendriks talking about their careers before taking questions from students in the packed bleachers.
Hendricks, 35, has made 11 appearances at Fenway Park over his 13 years as an opponent. The newly-acquired right-hander said he already has chills thinking about being on the mound wearing a Red Sox uniform.
“One of the great experiences I had was playing for Aguilas (of the Dominican Winter League),” he said, hearing cheers from the many Dominicans in attendance. “The best part was Manny Ramirez was one of my teammates. He’s amazing.”
Several other Red Sox players visited the South Lawrence East Complex and Spark Academy, stopping in classes to chat with students as well as participating in a short clinic in the gymnasium.
“This is awesome,” said Cora, a native of Puerto Rico, looking around the LHS gym. “This school and facility is amazing. I wish there was a school like this in Caguas (Puerto Rico).”
Wally The Green Monster did his “thing,” with the aid of a loud music in the background, dancing with a few Lawrence High students amid cheering before the Red Sox entourage arrived.
Three Lawrence High baseball players caught up with Cora after the panel discussion to pose for photos. He autographed their baseballs.
“This was a great opportunity to talk to Cora and players, doing what we hope to do some day,” said Lawrence sophomore Angel Gonzalez, 16. “We loved it.”
Cora was all smiles answering questions in English and Spanish.
“Ultimately, we are judged by wins and losses,” said Cora. “But in the end we are regular people like everyone else. This is great seeing the kids and talking a little baseball.”
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.