Since the Spinners demise in 2020, Lowell diamond fans have had to seek other avenues to take in minor league baseball. Among the options; the Worcester Red Sox (Woo Sox) and Nashua Silver Knights. (insert your favorite Boston Red Sox “minor league” joke here)

But for those of us who still hunger for a taste of the Mill City with our ballpark franks, Manchester, NH is the place to be. That’s where Andrew “Sunshine” Marais plies his craft for the team founded by one-time Spinners owner Drew Weber.

The South Lowell native, was recently featured in a Manchester Ink Link story about his daily exploits at Delta Dental Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays. The feature is well-worth a read for anyone who loves minor league sports and the family entertainment they provide, something Spinners fans can certainly relate to. Here’s the link again for you to give it a quick read when you have a moment.

What we can add to the story is that Andy grew up on Bowden Street, the youngest of three children. Toss in the fact he was the first and only son, and you understand why Joan (who still works for the Lowell School Department) and David’s boy became known as “South Lowell Jesus.”

“Sunshine,” as he was nicknamed for his then long, curly locks, was recommended for a radio internship at WCAP. The Greater Lowell Regional Technical High Senior shone so brightly, he parlayed that role into a job as Morning Show Producer. That’s where the first signs of his showmanship emerged.

As the Manchester Ink Link feature points out, no promotion or idea was too crazy. Whether visiting City Hall live on-air to register to vote for the first time, or firing everyone up by throwing WinterFest t-shirts into the crowd, Marais developed a flair as an entertainer, which he has since honed into the notoriety on display in the city jokingly referred to as Manch Vegas.

Oh, he also may be the greatest wedding guest in history, but we’ll save those stories for another day.

So next time you’re in the mood for some minor league baseball, hop on Routes 3 or 93 North and take in a Fisher Cats game. You’ll get to catch some future major leaguers in baseball uniforms, and the Lowell “kid” in whatever outfit brings a smile to kids and adults alike.

And if you get the chance, tell him you’re from Lowell. You might just become part of the act.