Posted on 08/13/2012 6:27:00 PM PDT by matt04
Johnny Pesky, who during a six-decade-long association with the Red Sox as player, manager, broadcaster, coach, and executive became one of the most popular figures in the team’s history, died Monday. He was 92.
A lifetime .307 hitter, Mr. Pesky recorded 200 or more hits in each of his first three seasons, leading the American League in that category all three years. He hit .331 in 1942, his rookie season, finishing second to Ted Williams in the batting title race and was third in most valuable player voting. An All-Star in 1946, he was a fine fielding shortstop, his primary position. He also played third base and second base.
In 2008, he was the first player to have his number, 6, retired by the Red Sox who was not a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“He was phenomenal in those first three seasons,” said his first Red Sox manager, Joe Cronin. “You couldn’t ask for more than he gave.”
Mr. Pesky was among the first class of inductees into the Red Sox Hall of Fame, in 1995. He never made it to Cooperstown, though, which was largely attributable to three factors.
He lost three seasons at his playing peak to wartime service.
He played in an era of outstanding shortstops, including the Cardinals’ Marty Marion, the Yankee’s Phil Rizzuto, the Indians’ (and later Red Sox’) Lou Boudreau, the Dodgers’ Pee Wee Reese.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
RIP
Phl Rizzuto “The Money Store”...:)
I remember how happy Johnny was when the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004. If I recall right, Curt Shilling gave him a hug and said “This one’s for you Johnny.” Johnny looked so, so happy.
Rest well Mr. Pesky, you will be missed. Thanks
There was a book I used to see at Costco about 8 years ago about Johnny Pesky, Bobby Doerr, and Dominic DiMaggio driving across country to attend Ted Williams’ funeral. Anybody remember the title or who wrote it?
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