Yesterday, the Red Sox lost one of its legends, Johnny Pesky. It seems that almost every Red Sox fan, no matter the age or how long they’ve been a fan, knew who Johnny Pesky was. They knew him as the legend who hooked home runs around the right-field foul pole, which was eventually dubbed “Pesky’s Pole” in honor of him. They knew him as the constant figure with the Red Sox, the one person who remained with the team through all the changes throughout the years (he was associated in some capacity with the Red Sox for 61 of his 73 years in baseball). They knew him as a member of “The Teammates,” along with Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, and Dom DiMaggio. In a way, Pesky was the Red Sox.
Johnny Pesky began his Major-league Red Sox career in 1942. From 1943-1946, Pesky was in the military and fighting in World Ward II. He returned to the Red Sox from 1946-1952 as a player, and he was manager from 1963-1964 and 1980. He remained a staple with the Red Sox until his death yesterday.
I’m not going to pretend that I have some personal story involving Johnny Pesky because I don’t. Instead, I thought I would post the Twitter message from yesterday into this morning about Pesky from people who actually knew Johnny Pesky. Also, there are more messages about Johnny Pesky on The Boston Globe: Extra Bases section from players like Fred Lynn, Luis Tiant, Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, and Tim Wakefield, here’s the link:
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2012/08/ red_sox_players.html.
Rest in Peace, Johnny Pesky (September 27, 1919- August 14, 2012).
Jerry Remy (RemDawg) @Jerry_Remy
Rest in peace Johnny Pesky- he can’t be replaced- my condolences to his family- Jerry
Jenny Dell @JennyDellNESN
Sad day for #RedSox Nation RT @SI_PeterKing: RIP Johnny Pesky. One of the great baseball players and personalities of our time.
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
RIP, Johnny Pesky. One of the all-time greats.
Pete Abraham @PeteAbe
##RedSox legend Johnny Pesky has passed away at age 92.
Nick Cafardo @nickcafardo
Johnny Pesky’s favorite saying- “I have 2 things to say to the youth of America- grow up.”
Pete Abraham @PeteAbe
Johnny Pesky was Mr. Red Sox in every way. Until ill health kept him away, he had a locker in the clubhouse. Rest in peace, No. 6
Pete Abraham @PeteAbe
This must be awful news for Bobby Doerr, the last of the “Teammates”
Pete Abraham @PeteAbe
There are, quite literally, dozens of #RedSox players who Pesky hit grounders to, counseled and befriended over the years.
MLB @MLB
We mourn the passing of @RedSox icon Johnny Pesky, who died today at the age of 92.
Chad Finn @GlobeChadFinn
Johnny Pesky the embodiment of everything good and admirable about the Red Sox and their history.
Pete Abraham @PeteAbe
Can remember my Dad saying, “Go get that man’s autography, that’s Johnny Pesky.” He couldn’t have been nicer, either.
Chad Finn @GlobeChadFinn
Will always remember the mutual admiration between Pesky and Nomar.
Pete Abraham @PeteAbe
Yankees will having a moment of silence for Johnny Pesky, @YankeesWFAN says. Nice touch.
David Ortiz @davidortiz
A very dark today for red sox nation a good friend of mine past away Johnny pesky it was an honor meeting you… R.I.P…34
MLB Network PR @MLBNetworkPR
Gammons on why @RedSox fans loved Pesky: “He was so good to everybody, ever fan. Every fan related to him.”
Michael Silverman @MikeSilvermanBB
Dozens of roses piling up at feet of Pesky statue. RIP, Johnny #RedSox pic.twitter.com/dXpaaPG5
MLB Network PR @MLBNetworkPR
More Millar on Pesky: “He was a tremendous, tremendous human being… Johnny Pesky touched a million people’s lives.”
Pete Abraham @PeteAbe
Sad as the Johnny Pesky news is, the man served his country, was a heck of a player, made so many friend + lived to 92. What a life.
Jon Lester @JLester31
Just heard we lost one of the good ones today. A great player and an even better man, rest in peace Johnny, thank you for the memories.
Curt Schilling @gehrig38
One of my career memories was hugging and kissing Johnny pesky after we won it all in 04, God Rest and God Bless his gentle soul, I miss you
Mark Feinsand @BloggingBombers (retweeted by Pete Abraham)
Jeter on Pesky: “Every time I’d see him, he would say, ‘I hope you get 4 hits today- and the guy behind you hits into 4 double plays.”
Mark Feinsand @BloggingBombers (retweeted by Pete Abraham)
Derek Jeter was saddened to hear of the passing of Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky: “He was always so nice to me throughout the years.”
Darnell McDonald @MacDime54
Honored to have had an opportunity to meet one of the biggest ambassadors of the Redsox Mr. Johnny Pesky #pesskkkkyy
Tony Massarotti @GlobeMazz
Johnny Pesky? A true gentleman. Dignified in every way. He will be missed.
Jacoby Ellsbury @JacobyEllsbury
RIP Johnny Pesky. You will be missed in the clubhouse and by #RedSoxNation.
Peter Gammons @pgammo
Pesky used to tell my brother Ned, an Episcopal minister, “you Episcopalians are Catholics who flunked Latin.”
Nomar Garciaparra @Nomar5
Today with a heavy heart I lost a friend. And Red Sox Nation lost an icon. R.I.P. my friend. I will miss you.
Ryan Lavarnway @RyanLavarnway
Red Sox nation mourns the loss Johnny Pesky, of one of its greatest ambassadars.
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