Red Sox High-A affiliate Greenville Drive, which began play in 2006, celebrated their 6 millionth fan at Fluor Field Tuesday night, capping a two-decade run defined by community investment and long-term brand building. Jeremy Watkins, a 45-year-old season-ticket holder and father of three, was named the Honorary 6 Millionth Fan after winning a multi-inning on-field competition.
“For us, everything starts with community,” Drive President Jeff Brown said. “We kind of use the magic of baseball and entertainment. We really put the stadium at the center of our community in a lot of ways.”
The milestone celebration included a prize package featuring a trip for four to Boston, 2026 Drive season tickets, a custom jersey, a team-signed baseball, a ceremonial first pitch opportunity and a spot in the team’s “Our Home Team” billboard campaign.
Brown said the Drive’s strategy is rooted in using baseball as a platform to advance broader community goals. “Whether that’s academics or youth sports or workforce development ... we’re spotlighting and celebrating important things to the community.”
Planning began last fall, with the team’s internal staff collaborating with longtime ad agency Erwin-Penland -- led by team owner Craig Brown, who originally created the Drive brand -- to develop the season’s creative themes. Brown: “Nothing we do is just for tonight or just for kind of a quick turn. It’s all, how is it enduring? How is it going to last?”
Watkins, who moved to Greenville eight years ago, said Fluor Field stood out among the 60-plus games he and his sons attended across 25 stadiums this year, adding that the team and park “changed the city.” When his key unlocked the grand prize box in the seventh inning, he said, “I channeled my inner 6-year-old.”
Brown said, “Everything we do ties back to the Drive brand -- quality, community-minded, long-lasting.
“This celebration was as much about reinforcing that identity as it was about reaching a number.”
