Annual Red Sox 'Hat Day' brings city officials, camaraderie to East Boston school

The gymnasium at the Mario Umana Academy in East Boston buzzed with excitement Thursday morning as city leaders and officials with the Boston Red Sox franchise paid a special visit to a group of elementary school students.

The visit was part of Boston Public Schools' 8th annual "Hat Day," where Red Sox team leaders traditionally hand out unique, brightly-colored baseball caps to students in kindergarten through eighth grades in the district ahead of the team's home opener.

Stamped with the Red Sox's signature "B" insignia, the multi-hued hats are white, bright blue and highlighter yellow, a color combination that will not be distributed outside of BPS. District officials said they hope the hats can build a sense of community and school pride among students.

"Whenever you see someone wearing this hat, wherever you are in the world, you probably have a connection to them," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said at a school assembly. "It's 'B' for the Boston Red Sox. It's 'B' for the city of Boston, and it's 'B' for making sure we are a city where everyone belongs."

The hats are shipped to most of the district's K-8 schools. But one school is chosen each year to get an extra special visit from team leaders and former players to celebrate the day, said BPS spokesman Chris McKinnon. The Red Sox's first home game is on April 9.

In attendance at the Umana Thursday morning were former Red Sox pitcher and Hyde Park native Manny Delcarmen, as well as team mascots, Wally and Tessie. They were a big hit, signing autographs and giving students high-fives.

Thursday's assembly served as an uplifting morale-booster after a devastating fire tore through several residential homes in the neighborhood earlier in the week, displacing 30 residents. One person was killed and several others injured, according to local news reports. Those impacted included some students who attend Umana and their families, according to principal Akua-Nia Francillon.

"Having an event like [Hat Day] so quickly after that happened has kind of revitalized people and just brought the joy back," she said.

Francillon added that while a lot of her students are soccer fans, most were still very excited to be a part of this year's Red Sox tradition with BPS.

"I think the energy was there for them," said Francillon. "It's pure joy."