The Greenville Drive, the High-A baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, said Carl Sobocinski, founder and owner of the Table 301 Restaurant Group, has been selected as the honoree for the team’s annual Green Day celebration, presented by TD Bank, to be held this year on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at Fluor Field as the Drive host the Rome Emperors.
Every season at Fluor Field, the Greenville Drive has chosen, celebrated, and paid tribute to an individual whose efforts have made Greenville a livable and thriving city.
Drive officials said that not only has Sobocinski expanded the community’s palate through his numerous, award-winning restaurant concepts, he also has helped put Greenville on the map as an award-winning tourist destination.
Sobocinski is an active contributor to the state’s business and charitable community as a member of the Executive Committee for the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Furman University President’s Advisory Council, and Mentor Greenville.
Nationally, he’s served three terms as a board member for the National Restaurant Association.
As co-founder alongside Greenville native singer-songwriter, Edwin McCain, Sobocinski created a nationally acclaimed food, wine and music festival, euphoria, held annually throughout Greenville, drawing thousands each year.
“Nearly 20 years ago, the Greenville Drive was founded on the premise that building a stronger, united community makes us all better,” said Craig Brown, owner and chairman of the Greenville Drive.
Brown added, “Carl cares about the details, about his staff, about his patrons, and about this entire community. This is what makes a great leader; it’s what makes a great community; and it’s why we want to celebrate Carl as this year’s Green Day honoree and spotlight the impact Carl has had and continues to have on so many throughout Greenville and the entire Upstate.”
Officials said the vision Sobocinski demonstrated when he first opened Soby’s in what was then a downtown restaurant desert and his various other concepts have helped enable a diverse number of entrepreneurs and personalities to succeed in the restaurant business themselves.
“I’m humbled, delighted, and honored by this recognition,” said Sobocinski. “I’ve been proud to call Greenville home for many years and I’ve truly loved being surrounded by the wonderful people of this community."
He added, "It’s been an honor to give back to a place that’s given me so much. I’m looking forward to many more years of helping Greenville continue to grow and thrive.”
Sobocinski joins an acclaimed group of Green Day honorees, including Mayor Max Heller and his wife, Trudy (2006); Greenville City Councilwoman Lillian Brock Flemming and Greenville County Councilwoman Xanthene Norris (2007); former Greenville Technical College President Dr. Tom Barton (2008); businessman and philanthropist C. Dan Joyner (2009); civic leader, judge and attorney Merl Code (2010); former S.C. Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education Dick Riley (2011); and South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Founder Virginia Uldrick (2012).
Also, environmentalist and attorney Tommy Wyche (2013); philanthropists Hayne and Anna Kate Hipp (2014); Centennial American Properties CEO David Glenn (2015); Erwin Penland Co-Founder Joe Erwin (2016); Hughes Development Corporation Chairman Bob Hughes (2017); Spinx Chairman Stewart Spinks (2018); Southernside Neighborhood President Mary Duckett (2019), Mayor Knox White (2021), Burke Royster (2022), and William Bradshaw (2023).
In honor of Green Day on Aug. 20th and Greenville’s birthday celebration, Drive players will wear special green uniforms and caps on Tuesday, Aug. 20, and fans are encouraged to create a “green out” by sporting green, as well.
First pitch is set for 7:05pm against the Rome Emperors. The first 2,000 fans through the stadium gates will receive a commemorative Green Day t-shirt, and the first 1,000 kids will receive a commemorative Green Day cape, all courtesy of TD Bank.
Sobocinski will be honored on the field just prior to the first pitch and again during the game.
Following the game, the Drive will host a fireworks show in celebration of Greenville’s birthday.
