Red Sox legend Jim Rice part of ownership group reviving Brockton Rox

The Brockton Rox are set to make their return to professional baseball in 2025, with Red Sox legend Jim Rice joining the ownership group leading the team's revival. Previously known as the Brockton Knockouts in 2024, the Rox will be playing at Campanelli Stadium and are promoting the upcoming season as a "revival season."

The team will compete in the Frontier League, recognized as an MLB Partner League, a move that enhances its player development opportunities and attracts emerging talents. Rice aims to leverage his extensive experience from his Hall of Fame career with the Red Sox to support players aspiring to reach Major League Baseball. He emphasized the importance of players seizing their chances while in Brockton, stating, "If you listen, you may get there faster."

Brockton's Mayor, Robert Sullivan, expressed his excitement about Rice's involvement, highlighting the star player's fit within the city's proud sports heritage. In honor of his contributions, the mayor proclaimed January 29, 2025, as Jim Rice Day in Brockton, to which Rice humorously noted his planned celebration would involve completing his wife's to-do list.

Rice also believes that the Rox will serve as an accessible option for baseball fans who prefer not to pay high prices to see the Red Sox, fostering a love for the game among younger generations. He hopes that by attending Rox games, fans can envision their dream of playing for either the Rox or the Red Sox in the future.

The Rox will kick off their revival season on May 16, 2025, facing off against the New York Boulders. Founded in 2002, the team has undergone various transitions, including a period in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League and will now return to independent professional baseball under Rice and the new ownership group.