Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s first celebrity softball game a big hit, and ‘a fun time’
WORCESTER — Almost two hours before the festivities were scheduled to begin Sunday afternoon, fans started lining up outside of Polar Park in hopes of securing a good seat for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s inaugural celebrity softball game.
“I love these fans, I love playing for them, and I love getting to meet them,” Maye said. “Fortunately, we got a great turnout.”
The event, which was organized by the recently formed MayeDay Family Foundation, drew a sellout crowd of nearly 10,000. There was plenty of fanfare to go along with the home run derby, “golden arm competition,” and seven-inning game.
Maye joked about how to correctly pronounce Worcester and quipped his batting average was .000. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and wide receiver DeMario Douglas debated who boasted the better bat, even though neither participated in the home run derby. Players accused Maye of stacking his roster. Coach Mike Vrabel got his usual jabs in.
“We have each other’s backs on and off the field, simple as that,” Stevenson said. “Any time we can all get together outside of football, it’s always a fun time.”
According to Maye, he texted “anyone [he] could get a hold of” to invite them to participate in the game. Patriots players ended up comprising the majority of the rosters, with special appearances also from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, comedian Matt Rife, San Jose Sharks forward (and Lexington native) Will Smith, Seattle Kraken center (and Hingham native) Matty Beniers, Maye’s three brothers, former Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, Boston Fleet players Megan Keller and Jill Saulnier, and former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman.
Douglas, Stevenson, left tackle Will Campbell, right guard Michael Onwenu, tight end Hunter Henry, and wide receiver Romeo Doubs joined Maye on Team Patriots, while cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones, special teamer Brenden Schooler, center Jared Wilson, linebacker Robert Spillane, wide receiver Mack Hollins (who, of course, played barefoot), quarterback Tommy DeVito, and fullback Jack Westover represented Team Sox.
Gonzalez’s presence felt notable, given the fact that he was not present at Wednesday’s organized team activity practice amid negotiations for a potentially record-setting contract extension. Although Gonzalez didn’t speak to the media, Jones, who signed an extension last October, offered his perspective on the situation.
“I know he’s always one of those guys, no matter where he’s at, he’s always working,” Jones said. “It’s a day-by-day thing. I’ve been in one of those situations, learning how the contract negotiations stuff goes about. At the end of the day, they want what’s best for them and he wants what’s best for him as well. We’re not rushing it when it comes down to it. At the end of the day, we know his value on our team.”
But Sunday was less about football and more about the camaraderie that helped fuel the Patriots to the Super Bowl last season.
The event was also for a great cause. A patient from Boston Children’s threw out the first pitch. Maye’s wife, Ann Michael, who emerged as a social media sensation last season for her baking, organized a suite full of baked goods for a group of patients as well. Before the game, the couple also presented a check for $80,000 to Boston Children’s Hospital. They donated an additional $1,000 for every home run during the derby (for a total of $54,000) and another $2,500 for every homer during the game for a total of $174,000.
“This is for the kids,” Maye said. “That’s what we wanted to do. It means a lot to us.”
As for the actual softball, Maye, his brother Cole, Campbell, Gonzalez, Hollins, Edelman, Portnoy, Chara, and Smith gave their best efforts during the home run derby. Each player had one minute to hit as many homers as he could (on a shortened field). Chara was the only participant to not knock one out, while Maye, Campbell, and Smith advanced to the final. Maye and Smith ended up tying, with nine, but Maye gave Smith the trophy.
Despite a little rain, most of the crowd stayed in their seats to watch Team Patriots and Team Sox hit plenty of home runs and engage in a little trash talk. In a dramatic finish, Maye had a chance to hit a walk-off but ended up flying out. Team Sox, the underdogs as Jones called them, celebrated their 17-16 victory.
The evening sure felt like a success for Maye, who continues to raise his profile as one of the most popular Boston athletes.
“I’m looking forward to trying to expand it maybe down the road,” Maye said. “But I think we got a great crowd and team of players this year.”
Read more Trump is facing a new inflation warning from the bond market, adding to his midterm challenges
Post Comment