Former Patriots QB makes his Polar Park debut by throwing out first pitch at WooSox game

WORCESTER — Scott Zolak has thrown more footballs in his lifetime than baseballs.

But for the first time ever on Thursday, the former New England Patriots quarterback and current analyst on the Patriots radio network threw out a ceremonial pitch at a baseball game.

Zolak was invited to toss the first pitch on “Throwback Thursday” at Polar Park before the WooSox’ 7-3 loss to the IronPigs.

“First time for everything,” Zolak, 55, said. “It’s a great invite by these guys, and I'll definitely be back with my son (Brody). I’ll bring him back here and check it out.”

Zolak delivers a high strike for first pitch at Polar Park

Before making his way to Worcester on Thursday, Zolak received advice on his impending first pitch from the co-host of his popular radio telecast “Zolak and Bertrand,” which airs weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub.  

“Don’t get angry if you bounce it,” Marc Bertrand said over the air. “Over the plate. Just don’t bounce it.”

“I’m not going to overthink it; I’m not going to smoke one,” Zolak said. “I’m going to deliver a strike right down the pike. Nice and easy right down the middle.”

After Polar Park public announcer Ben DeCastro introduced Zolak to the crowd (and Zolak gave a mini-speech) pregame, the sunglass-wearing right-hander wound his arm once and delivered a high strike to WooSox bat boy Aaron Buckley.

“I’m a high-energy guy, so I fired that sucker; it was a nice catch by that kid,” Zolak said. “I didn’t know he made that big catch (in the Monster seats at Fenway Park recently).”

‘Nothing better than a hot dog and beer at the ballpark’

From the third to sixth inning, Zolak met with fans inside Sherwood’s Diner on Summit Street to chat, sign autographs and take photos.

For Knox Trail Middle Schooler Calen Sauvageau, meeting Zolak was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Patriots fan.

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“It was cool to meet someone famous,” said Sauvageau, who lives in Spencer.

As for friends Jack and Landon of Littleton, getting to take a picture and talk with a former NFL player was a pleasant surprise at the ballpark on Thursday.

“You wouldn’t expect to see a Patriots player right here at the WooSox park,” Landon, 10, said. “It’s insane. He’s super tall. He was like double our size; he was massive.”

“It was very crazy just experiencing just seeing an old Patriots player just randomly there,” Jack, 9, said. “Very big hands.”

And Zolak’s right hand, which has thrown thousands of footballs over five decades, tossed its first baseball for a ceremonial pitch on Thursday at Polar Park.

There’s a first time for everything.

“High heat, I practiced it,” Zolak said. “... It’s one (heck) of a ballpark. It’s a great spot to bring the kids, bring the family, great environment, it makes it fun. Nothing better than a hot dog and beer at the ballpark.”

— Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Former Patriots player Scott Zolak tosses first pitch at WooSox game