I got the news last night as I was leaving work. Johnny Pesky had passed away.
My brain immediately went to “the Red Sox killed Johnny Pesky”. Like this team is so terrible he couldn’t stand to be associated anymore.
Terrible I know.
Instead of the wiki recap, I’ll share my memories.
I remember hearing stories of the then 80 something year old hitting fungos during spring training. I remember him getting champaign poured on him in 2004 by Curt Schilling.
I remember the team being told he couldn’t be in the dugout during games and the outrage I felt at the time. Normally I scoff at the idea that old people should be able to do things just because they’re old, but Pesky was a Red Sox. For decades he was part of the organization, let the guy sit in the dugout, he’s not hurting anyone.
Anyways…
I remember seeing him in the park at 3pm when I got there during the 2007 playoffs. Sure the games didn’t start till 8:30 or so, he was there for the team.
The Sox retired his #6 in 2008. I remember JC heading into town to photograph the event. Sure he’s not a Hall of Famer, but he’s certainly a Red Sox Hall of Famer.
A giant void in the Red Sox family, he will be missed. RIP Johnny Pesky.
