News Summary
The Greenville Drive marked a historic event by crowning Jeremy Watkins as the team’s 6 millionth fan during a game against Winston Salem. Fans participated in various contests, with Watkins winning a trip to Boston despite a minor mishap. To continue the celebration, the team plans to select the Honorary 6 Millionth Fan from July 1 to July 8, offering exciting prizes and engaging with the local community. This achievement emphasizes the franchise’s commitment to community ties as it approaches its 20th season.
Greenville celebrated a significant milestone on Tuesday night as the Greenville Drive crowned Jeremy Watkins as the team’s 6 millionth fan during a game against Winston Salem. The special event, which included a series of contests for fans attending the game, drew excitement from both participants and the crowd at Fluor Field.
The competition featured seven selected fans who engaged in various in-game challenges during the first six innings of the match. As the event unfolded, attendees expressed their hopes for a memorable night, with one participant noting their readiness to claim small rewards like a free hot dog. Ultimately, excitement peaked when Watkins emerged victorious in the contest, exclaiming his joy about winning a trip to Boston to watch the Boston Red Sox, despite a humorous hiccup involving his car being towed after the game.
In recognition of this milestone, the Greenville Drive has announced plans to continue celebrating with the local community. From July 1 to July 8, the team will select individuals to compete for the title of Honorary 6 Millionth Fan during a game on July 8. This initiative aims to include more fans in the team’s celebrations and create a lasting connection between the Drive and its supporters.
The celebration will include selecting two fans on July 2 and July 3 during upcoming games, a participant from the hot dog eating contest, and additional competitors for July 8. Prizes for the eventual winner will encompass a trip for four to see the Red Sox, season tickets for the Greenville Drive’s 2026 season, a personalized jersey, and a feature on a Drive billboard. The Drive also plans to award prize packages to five runners-up, while all fans at the July 8 game will receive giveaways.
This milestone event is particularly significant for the Greenville Drive, which emphasized that reaching 6 million fans equates to a population comparable to metro Atlanta. The Drive illustrated the scale of this achievement by mentioning that if lined up shoulder-to-shoulder, these fans would stretch between New York City and Los Angeles.
The franchise is gearing up to embark on its 20th season in Greenville, which highlights its commitment to community relations. The Drive, owned by Craig Brown, has fostered partnerships within the local community, reflecting a mission centered around creating mutually beneficial relationships. In addition, the team has seen significant success in player development, with 127 players advancing to Major League Baseball from the Drive.
The celebrations will also coincidentally take place with the Fourth of July, as the Drive plans to engage fans with fireworks and military appreciation activities during the July 3 game. The Drive’s inaugural season at Fluor Field was marked by receiving the title of “Ballpark of the Year” in 2006, and the venue maintains a seating capacity of 6,700.
The Greenville Drive’s design echoes that of Fenway Park, honoring its status as an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The organization continuously seeks to strengthen local ties, demonstrating that sporting events can play a vital role in community development. By engaging in events and initiatives, the Drive underscores its ongoing commitment to connecting local interests with athletic activities.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: Greenville Drive Celebrates 6 Millionth Fan
- Spectrum Local News: Greenville Drive’s 6 Millionth Fan
- MiLB: Drive Announces Ville vs. Ville Series
- Catamount Sports: SOCON Baseball Tournament in Greenville
- Wikipedia: Greenville
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
