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Iggy Suarez Describes Shock of Sudden Promotion During Polar Park Game

by Hank Stolz | May 7, 2026 | This Weeks Top Stories, WORCESTER RED SOX, WORCESTER SPORTS

New WooSox Manager Iggy Suarez Describes Shock of Sudden Promotion During Polar Park Game

New Skipper Opens Up About Leadership and Player Development

By-Radio Worcester

Photo of Iggy Suarez-Worcester Red Sox

Worcester, MA- Iggy Suarez is still processing the whirlwind series of events that unexpectedly made him the new manager of the Worcester Red Sox.

Speaking with Hank Stolz alongside Charles Steinberg and Bill Wanless, Suarez described the chaotic and emotional scene unfolding inside Polar Park as he realized his career had changed in a matter of minutes.

The moment began when WooSox manager Chad Tracy unexpectedly left the dugout during the fourth inning and did not return.

Suarez recalled trying to track him down to understand what was happening.

“Trace told me, ‘Everybody got fired. I’m the manager of the Red Sox.’ And I was just shocked.”

Within moments, Suarez learned he would immediately take over managerial duties in Worcester.

Despite years of preparation for leadership roles throughout the Red Sox organization, he admitted the sudden transition was overwhelming.

“I’m very organized and very detail oriented. So I’ve always been prepared to be a manager. Now within the span of 10 minutes… I am the manager and I’m not prepared at all admin wise for what I do on a daily basis.”

The abrupt promotion came amid larger organizational changes within the Boston Red Sox system, instantly thrusting Suarez into one of the organization’s most visible player development roles.

Still, Suarez emphasized that his core philosophy remains unchanged: keep the focus on helping players succeed and reach the major leagues.

“We want to be able to keep the focus on the players, make sure that they’re getting their work in, making sure they’re prepared to get to the big leagues, get back to the big leagues and contribute to our team…”

The interview also explored Suarez’s journey through the Red Sox organization, first as a player and later as a coach and manager.

Before arriving in Worcester, Suarez spent years managing the Greenville Drive, leading the team to a championship in 2023 and building a reputation as a respected player-development leader.

As a player, Suarez was drafted by the Red Sox organization and climbed to the Triple-A level before injuries helped redirect his path toward coaching and management.

He also shared his appreciation for Worcester’s baseball culture, praising both the atmosphere at Polar Park and the passion of local fans.

According to Suarez, Worcester supporters stand out because of how deeply they understand the game and follow player development throughout the Red Sox system.

The conversation also touched on one of the most rewarding parts of his job: informing players they’ve been promoted to the major leagues, moments he described as deeply emotional and unforgettable.

For Suarez, the rapid promotion may have come unexpectedly, but his focus remains firmly on preparing players for their opportunity when the call eventually comes.

What Is the Role of a Triple-A Manager?

A Triple-A manager serves a unique role in professional baseball, balancing winning games with preparing players for the major leagues.

Unlike Major League Baseball managers, Triple-A managers often work closely with player development staff, medical teams, and the front office to help players refine skills, recover from injuries, and transition between levels of the organization.

For teams like the Worcester Red Sox, the manager also plays an important role in helping prospects mentally prepare for the pressure and expectations of Major League Baseball.

Because Triple-A is the final step before the majors, roster movement can happen quickly and unexpectedly throughout the season.

Sources

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Why Most Golfers Get Injured (And How to Fix It Before the Season Starts)

by Hank Stolz | Apr 29, 2026 | Health Reports, HEALTH REPORTS, WORCESTER SPORTS

Why Most Golfers Get Injured (And How to Fix It Before the Season Starts)

Get Golf-Ready: Physical Therapist Robert Pano Shares Injury Prevention Tips in Northborough

By-Hank Stolz

Photo-Radio Worcester

Northborough, MA- Robert Pano of Saint Vincent Physical Therapy is helping local golfers rethink how they prepare for the season, shifting the focus from swing mechanics to physical readiness.

Speaking about the demands of the sport, Pano emphasized that golf is far more physically taxing than many players realize.

“My passion is to get people to understand how important fitness is because it’s helped me, and I think it’ll always help them as well.”

According to Pano, the golf swing places a high rotational load on the body, particularly the spine. Without proper conditioning, that repeated stress often leads to injury.

The most common issue he sees is lower back pain.

The root cause is rarely the swing alone. Instead, it comes down to physical limitations:

Lack of hip mobility
Poor core and lower body stability
Compensatory movement patterns

When those weaknesses are present, the body finds ways to complete the motion, often at the expense of long-term health.

Pano draws a clear distinction between instruction and physical preparation.

“Golf pros teach the swing. We teach the body how to do the swing that the golf professional wants.”

That difference matters.

Without the ability to rotate properly or stabilize through the movement, even technically sound swings can break down over time.

Traditional weightlifting alone is not enough for golfers.

Instead, Pano recommends golf-specific training that focuses on:

Rotational strength
Core stability
Controlled mobility

This type of conditioning not only reduces the risk of injury, it also directly improves performance. Golfers who move better generate more power and consistency, often leading to increased distance off the tee.

One of the biggest misconceptions Pano addresses is how injuries occur.

“It’s never just one wrong swing, Hank. It is several of the swings that you do repeatedly with just improper mechanics and conditioning of those muscles.”

That repetition, combined with poor physical preparation, is what leads to breakdown.

Golf Strong Session with Robert Pano, PT

Date: Wednesday, May 13
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Saint Vincent Physical Therapy at Northborough Crossing

Why Golf Injuries Are Rising

Golf has long been seen as a low-risk sport, but the data tells a different story.

Over the past decade, golf-related injuries have steadily increased, driven largely by more people playing the game and more frequent participation.

Golf participation in the U.S. has grown significantly, rising from roughly 32 million players in 2016 to over 41 million in recent years
As participation has increased, injury rates have followed the same trend
Studies show a statistically significant increase in golf-related injuries from 2013 to 2022, particularly in lower body and overuse injuries
Today, 15% to 40% of amateur golfers report injuries each year, with even higher rates among frequent players

What’s Driving the Increase?

More players entering the sport
Older athletes staying active longer
Repetitive swing mechanics without proper conditioning
Limited mobility, especially in hips and core

Source

National Golf Foundation, NEISS (U.S. CPSC), PubMed Central, HSS, AAOS

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Sean Grande on Celtics’ “Fever Dream” Season: Why This Playoff Run Is Different

by Hank Stolz | Apr 15, 2026 | This Weeks Top Stories, WORCESTER SPORTS

Even Sean Grande Didn’t See This Celtics Season Coming

“This team has forced me to say the words ‘I was wrong’ more than any other time in my life,” he said. “And I’ve been married twice.” – Sean Grande

By-Hank Stolz

Photo-Linkedin

Boston, MA- Even the most seasoned voices around the Boston Celtics didn’t see this coming.

Sean Grande, the longtime radio voice of the Celtics, described the team’s 2026 season as nothing short of a “fever dream” as Boston heads into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Grande was candid about how wrong he,and many others were heading into the year.

“This team has forced me to say the words ‘I was wrong’ more than any other time in my life,” he said. “And I’ve been married twice.”

Expectations were modest at best. Many analysts projected a middle-of-the-pack team hovering around a .500 record. Instead, the Celtics delivered one of the most surprising and complete seasons in recent memory.

Grande pointed to a few key factors behind the turnaround.

First, health.

In a league where injuries often dictate outcomes, Boston has benefited from remarkable consistency and availability among its core players.

Second, what Grande described as “championship DNA.”

The Celtics’ foundation players who understand the demands of winning at the highest level has shown up throughout the season in big moments and tight games.

And finally, coaching.

Grande made a strong case for head coach Joe Mazzulla to be recognized as Coach of the Year, citing his ability to guide the team through expectations, adversity, and growth.

Looking ahead, Grande made it clear that the playoff path may matter less than the mindset.

“The first-round opponent doesn’t matter,” he said. “Enjoy this run and stop pretending that you’re the favorites.”

Instead, he urged fans to embrace the moment.

“This is all house money,” Grande said. “You’re not going to get a season like this again because all the pressure will be back in October.”

For now, the message is simple: appreciate what’s happening while it’s happening.

Because even those closest to the team didn’t see it coming.

Celtics Playoff History & Championships

The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful franchises in professional sports history, with a postseason legacy that spans generations. Since their founding in 1946, the Celtics have reached the NBA Playoffs nearly 60 times, making them a consistent presence in the league’s championship chase.

Of those appearances, 17 seasons ended with an NBA Championship, tying them for the most titles in league history. Their championship years are:

1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, and 2008.

The most dominant stretch came during the Bill Russell era, when Boston won 11 titles in 13 seasons between 1957 and 1969, a run that still defines excellence in team sports.

More recently, the Celtics returned to the top in 2008 and have remained a frequent playoff contender in the modern era, continuing a tradition where postseason basketball is not the exception in Boston, it’s the expectation.

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Railers Preview Women in Sports Night, Pink in the Rink, and WooSox Day Weekend

by Hank Stolz | Feb 13, 2026 | RAILERS, WORCESTER SPORTS

Pink Ice Returns as Railers Host Major Fundraising Weekend

“Pink in the Rink is always a highly emotional and interactive fundraiser for fans and families.”

By-Hank Stolz

Photo-Submitted

Worcester, MA- Kim Golinski, President of the Worcester Railers, stopped by the Talk of the Commonwealth to highlight this weekend’s events, including Women in Sports Night on Friday, the annual Pink in the Rink fundraiser for breast cancer awareness on Saturday, and WooSox Day on Sunday. “Pink in the Rink” is always a highly emotional and interactive fundraiser, featuring pink ice, special jerseys for auction, and opportunities for fans to donate and honor loved ones who have battled cancer.

Golinski emphasized the organization’s philosophy of creating an experience that goes beyond a hockey game, citing initiatives like Trades and Tech Night. She also spoke about Worcester’s growth as a supportive sports city, the strong collaboration between local teams, and the Railers’ positive on-ice performance and playoff aspirations. “The guys are working really, really hard. They want it more than we do. So there’s a lot to be said about that.”

John Deaton Criticizes Markey-Moulton Debate, Calls for Term Limits and Healthcare Reform

Aug 5, 2026

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton joined Hank Stolz on Radio Worcester to discuss the Markey-Moulton Democratic primary debate, congressional term limits, nuclear energy, healthcare reform, and why he believes Massachusetts needs independent leadership focused on practical solutions instead of partisan politics.

Radio Roundtable: ShotSpotter, Youth Vaping, Open Primaries and Preserving Worcester’s History

Aug 4, 2026

Hank Stolz, Ben White, George Russell and Randy Feldman debate public safety technology, youth vaping, election reform and Worcester’s historic preservation efforts.

Ron Waddell Outlines Priorities in Campaign for Worcester’s 15th District State Representative Seat

Aug 3, 2026

Democratic candidate Ron Waddell discusses affordability, education, homelessness, public safety, and why he’s challenging incumbent State Rep. Mary Keefe in the 15th Worcester District.

Community Harvest Project Brings Volunteer Farming to Worcester

Jul 31, 2026

Downtown Worcester BID and Community Harvest Project are connecting local residents with hands-on volunteer opportunities that help provide fresh produce to families across Central Massachusetts.

Radio Roundtable: Worcester Civilian Review Board Debate, Police Oversight & City Council Politics

Jul 29, 2026

Should Worcester establish a civilian review board to oversee police conduct? The Radio Roundtable examines City Manager Eric Batista’s decision, the political realities at City Hall, recent police misconduct settlements, and the continuing debate over police accountability.

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Curious About Curling? Petersham Club Says Now’s the Time

by Hank Stolz | Feb 12, 2026 | This Weeks Top Stories, WORCESTER SPORTS

“Every Olympic cycle brings new interest, but this year’s response has been extraordinary.”

Curling Interest Surges After Olympics as Petersham Curling Club Welcomes New Members

By-Hank Stolz

Photo-Joe Santa Maria-Kill the Ball Media

Worcester, MA-Hank speaks with Scott Ennis, the president of the Petersham Curling Club, about the surge of interest in curling due to the Winter Olympics. Ennis discussed how he and his daughter became involved in the sport during a previous Olympic cycle and detailed the club’s efforts to welcome new people through “Learn to Curl” events and open houses. He explained that the response had been overwhelming, with many events already full. Ennis also described the friendly, social, and self-governed nature of the sport, the history of the Petersham club, and the practical steps for beginners to get involved, assuring them that equipment was provided and they would be placed on teams with experienced players.

Explainer: How Curling Works

Curling is a team sport played on ice where players slide heavy granite stones toward a circular target called the “house.”

The Goal

Score points by placing your team’s stones closer to the center of the house than your opponent’s.

Team Structure

Each team has four players who take turns sliding stones down the ice.

Why Do Players Sweep?

Teammates sweep the ice in front of a moving stone to control its speed and direction. Sweeping slightly melts the surface, helping the stone travel farther and straighter.

The Stone

Each curling stone weighs about 40 pounds and is made of polished granite. It’s designed to glide and gently curve as it travels.

Strategy Matters

Curling is often called “chess on ice” because players must plan shots, block opponents, and carefully control placement.

Easy for Beginners

Most clubs provide equipment and instruction. New players are typically placed with experienced teammates who help them learn the game.

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