SPORTS FRONT
Salem’s 2023 manager: Not from these parts Upon learning the background of new Salem Red Sox manager Liam Carroll, players might have wondered if they should have prepared for their new boss' British accent. Carroll, who is in his first season in Salem, has been involved in baseball in some capacity since 2004 and has been in the Red Sox organization since 2004. He played some minor league ball as an infielder early on. When he spoke to the Roanoke Valley Sports Club in early April, Carroll was easy to understand, no issues with his dialect. "I think that was probably because of baseball," he said. "If I was talking to some English mates in a pub, it would revolve around [English] football. Here, in the states, it tends to revolve around baseball." “I’d point to several things," he said at the Sports Club gathering about our National Pastime translating overseas. For starters, "the British baseball community is so passionate." Who knew? "In addition to major league baseball's efforts to grow the game globally over the last 20-30 years, we've been very fortunate to have some American coaches work for MLB in the UK who shaped my existence.” Shorter schedules in the United Kingdom is a challenge said Carroll. "Coaching them was just as good as anyone in the U.S. would get. They just didn't get to play as
league team and we're a Red Sox affiliate. That checks two of the boxes right there.' "I was beginning to connect the dots that we may be a possibility for them." The average Salem baseball fan wouldn't know the difference. "If we didn't make the announcement that we were just purchased, no one would ever know the difference," Lawrence continued. "We're still the Salem Red Sox. We still have the same people working here." The Sox
Salem Red Sox
Liam Carroll
many games. You're going to play a 20-30 game schedule in Britain, even in the top league. Maybe 30 games plus playoffs. Hopefully. "There's a few travel-ball style outfits that have gotten the kids to play way more games domestically and also travel around Europe and get as many games as possible. I think it will take a number of years before we see [Europeans] anything remotely close to 70 or 80 games." Carroll’s background: His dad was born in Chicago and grew up in New York City. His “mum” is from England. His parents live in the UK – across the pond as they say. "Dad's older now," Carroll said. "I would love it if he and my mother could come over next season, perhaps, [if I’m] due to be back here in Salem for a second season. Would love to [see them] but it won't be the easiest trip."
are still the Carolina League, Low-A affiliate of Boston. "The prices are still the same," Lawrence said. "From a fan standpoint, there is not one difference." Salem has been affiliated with Boston's major league team since 2007 after being acquired by Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox as well as NHL Pittsburgh Penguins, Liverpool F.C., and NASCAR’s RFK Racing. "Fenway Sports was awesome," Lawrence continued. "I owe a lot to them." We're the only [team] they enjoyed a majority vbFRONT.com / AUGUST 2023 u
59
