When the erstwhile Pawtucket Red Sox moved from Rhode Island to their current home in Worcester, Massachusetts, one of the names the team considered adopting was the Worcester Ruby Legs. The nickname is loosely associated with a short-lived National League team called the Worcester Worcesters, who played from 1880 to 1882.
The Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, or WooSox, will pay tribute to that team and wonder what might have been when they play as the Ruby Legs next week. The team first introduced the old-timey alternate brand last season, and they will reprise the look this season.
While the nickname WooSox was the clear favorite from wire to wire in the franchise’s name-the-team contest before their 2021 debut, Ruby Legs got some attention in the process. While Ruby Legs was never officially the nickname of the 19th-century Worcester Worcesters, there’s anecdotal evidence that ties it to the team.
The alternate uniform evokes the style of baseball in the 1800s, complete with a pillbox hat and a design meant to emulate a collar and bowtie.
The Ruby Legs will next take to the field June 9.
