A piece of Rhode Island history has been unearthed.
Construction crews demolishing the former McCoy Stadium discovered an 85-year-old time capsule hidden in the ballpark’s original cornerstone. The unexpected find was made by Shawmut Design and Construction, the firm overseeing the demolition and new development.
The capsule, sealed in 1940 when the stadium was first built, is scheduled to be unveiled on June 23, 2025. That date marks the 44th anniversary of the end of the longest professional baseball game ever played, a 33-inning marathon between the Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings that began on April 18, 1981, and concluded more than two months later on June 23.
The discovery has sparked further investigation. Demolition crews are now searching for a rumored second time capsule believed to be tied to that record-setting 1981 game, which featured future Major League stars Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken Jr.
“I’m pleased that this time capsule has been found and preserved so it can be shared with future generations of Pawtucket residents as a reminder of the stadium’s proud history,” Pawtucket City Council President Terrence Mercer said.
Demolition of the stadium is expected to be done by the end of May.
Officials say the public will be invited to the time capsule unveiling in June.
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