By Scott Mitchell JohnsonStaff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Maine potatoes not only have nutritional value, but – if enough people eat them – could help lead the Boston Red Sox to their second World Series championship in four years.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
SPUD GLOVE – Byron Winslow, 9, of Presque Isle, demonstrates his catcher’s stance while holding a 3-pound Russet potato – that grew in the shape of an old-fashioned catcher’s mitt – on Guerrette Farms in Caribou. Interestingly, Guerrette Farms is located just minutes from the farm where Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski used to grow potatoes with his uncle. County Red Sox fans are now encouraging people to eat Maine potatoes and support the Red Sox.
Last Wednesday, which happened to be opening day of the American League Division Series between the Bosox and the Los Angeles Angels, line workers at Guerrette Farms in Caribou found a one-of-a-kind potato on the packing line. The spud is in the shape of a catcher’s mitt.
“My Dad [Victor Winslow] was over there and went in just to visit them,” said Lynwood Winslow, general manager at MPG Truck & Tractor. “He saw it sitting on the table and they gave it to him. He brought it over here thinking there could be some farm traffic … people who would want to see it.
“Everybody whose seen it started tying it to Wednesday night’s game saying, ‘We’ve unearthed a hidden message here. Eat Maine potatoes and support the Red Sox,’” Winslow said. “It’s kind of neat, and you know how superstitious Red Sox fans are.”
Interestingly, Guerrette Farms is located just minutes from the farm where Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski used to grow potatoes with his uncle.
The catcher’s mitt is a Russet potato and weighs 3 pounds.
“It’s not unusual to find a potato that looks like something … Snoopy or whatever, but this looks just like an old-fashioned catcher’s mitt complete with the right number of fingers,” said Winslow. “It was meant to be.”
Winslow sent an e-mail to MPG’s business contacts, and said support has been incredible.
“It’s created a little buzz,” he said. “WAGM-TV did a story about it, and the potato was even featured on the ‘Potato Picker’s Special’ Friday morning.”
Winslow said the potato will be on display at MPG Truck & Tractor through the playoffs.
“We’re going to try to keep a handle on it so it doesn’t get damaged or destroyed,” he said. “We’ll cool it down at night … it’ll be fine. However, at some point, we’ll have to throw it away. We’re not going to shellac it or anything.”
One of those who has checked out the unique potato is Lynwood’s nephew, Byron Winslow.
“It’s pretty cool how it’s formed,” said Winslow, 9, of Presque Isle, “besides the fact you can’t stick your hand in it. I’ve been a Red Sox fan since I was 4 or 5. I’ve got a poster and some hats, and I think they’re a great team.”
Winslow, who has played Little League the last three years, is hoping the Red Sox can go all the way.
“I hope they win the World Series,” he said. “That would be awesome.”
Lynwood Winslow said he’d like to send the potato to the Boston Red Sox.
“If we get any feedback we might,” he said. “I think it would be kind of clever.”
Editor’s note: Perhaps fueled by local fans eating Maine potatoes, the Boston Red Sox swept the American League West Champion Los Angeles Angels, and will play the Cleveland Indians Friday at Fenway Park in the American League Championship Series.
