The Red Sox announced yesterday that Mr. Red Sox himself, Johnny Pesky, will have #6 retired in his honor prior to Friday’s game. Although the honor is being bestowed upon Pesky due to his lifetime of contributions to the club, and not his playing career alone, he certainly did have a very good playing career. In his rookie year of 1942, Pesky led the American League with 205 hits and was runner-up for the batting title, hitting .331. He finished 3rd in the A.L. MVP voting. Although there was no Rookie of the Year Award at the time (it was first awarded in ’47) Pesky would have been the runaway winner. He then missed 3 full seasons from 1943-45 while serving his country in World War II. Despite the 3 years off Pesky returned as good as when he left. In 1946 he hit .335, again led the league in his (208), was named to the All Star team and finished 4th in the MVP voting while helping the Sox win the American League pennant. In 1947 he finished with over 200 hits yet again (208) and led the league in hits for the third time in his three year career. He would play 4+ more seasons in Boston, finishing his Red Sox career with a .313 average (7th in team history), .401 OBP (7th), 776 runs (9th) and 1,277 hits (15th). But Pesky was certainly more than a player for the Sox, he has also filled the roles of broadcaster, coach, manager, instructor and ambassador. He has now been involved with the Red Sox organization for an amazing 57 years. As Tom Werner pointed out yesterday, “he spans from Ted Williams to David Ortiz”. The prior rules stated in order to have a number retired the person had to play 10 years in Boston, finish their career with the Red Sox, and be a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Pesky now joins former Sox Bobby Doerr (1), Joe Cronin (4), Carl Yastzemski (8), Ted Williams (9) and Carlton Fisk (27) in having their numbers retired. An exception was made for Fisk, who joined the Sox in an advisory capacity after ending his playing career with the White Sox. So if an exception can be made for Pudge, obviously an exception can, and should be made for exceptional Johnny Pesky: A Red Sox for life, and now the Sox #6 forever more.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Red Sox to Retire Pesky's #6
The Red Sox announced yesterday that Mr. Red Sox himself, Johnny Pesky, will have #6 retired in his honor prior to Friday’s game. Although the honor is being bestowed upon Pesky due to his lifetime of contributions to the club, and not his playing career alone, he certainly did have a very good playing career. In his rookie year of 1942, Pesky led the American League with 205 hits and was runner-up for the batting title, hitting .331. He finished 3rd in the A.L. MVP voting. Although there was no Rookie of the Year Award at the time (it was first awarded in ’47) Pesky would have been the runaway winner. He then missed 3 full seasons from 1943-45 while serving his country in World War II. Despite the 3 years off Pesky returned as good as when he left. In 1946 he hit .335, again led the league in his (208), was named to the All Star team and finished 4th in the MVP voting while helping the Sox win the American League pennant. In 1947 he finished with over 200 hits yet again (208) and led the league in hits for the third time in his three year career. He would play 4+ more seasons in Boston, finishing his Red Sox career with a .313 average (7th in team history), .401 OBP (7th), 776 runs (9th) and 1,277 hits (15th). But Pesky was certainly more than a player for the Sox, he has also filled the roles of broadcaster, coach, manager, instructor and ambassador. He has now been involved with the Red Sox organization for an amazing 57 years. As Tom Werner pointed out yesterday, “he spans from Ted Williams to David Ortiz”. The prior rules stated in order to have a number retired the person had to play 10 years in Boston, finish their career with the Red Sox, and be a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Pesky now joins former Sox Bobby Doerr (1), Joe Cronin (4), Carl Yastzemski (8), Ted Williams (9) and Carlton Fisk (27) in having their numbers retired. An exception was made for Fisk, who joined the Sox in an advisory capacity after ending his playing career with the White Sox. So if an exception can be made for Pudge, obviously an exception can, and should be made for exceptional Johnny Pesky: A Red Sox for life, and now the Sox #6 forever more.
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7 comments:
Now that the rules are more lax, who's next? Possibilities (active players not included)....
3 - Foxx
10 - Grove
14 - Rice
21 - Clemens
24 - Dewey
26 - Boggs
I have suggested it before, but just to reiterate the idea, I think the Sox should pay tribute to Dewey the way the Celts did with Jim Louscutoff by putting "Louscy" in the rafters. Sox could put "Dewey" up with the numbers...then still have #24 to retire for Manny down the road in they choose.
Also....
Does anyone object to Pesky having his number retired? He was a very good player, but not worthy of this on his playing alone. He didn't accomplish anything as manager and his broadcasting career was undistinguished. This is more a tribute to an icon. Anyone object? (honestly it seems like something I'd normally object to but I don't in this case)
I absolutely agree that he should have his #6 retired, and probably should have had it retired years ago (perhaps 7 yrs ago for his 50 years of service.) Since it was not only his performance on the field but his service to the team/ league/ country that allowed his number to finally be retired, I think those same factors should prevent Clemens from ever having his number from being retired.
Retiring the #6 is overdue, i think alot of the guys that played during WWII, and up part of the professional life to defend our country should have at least some kind of honor on their respective teams. I also agree with Sean why if they're doing it now why at year 57 and not at year 50.
And i'd be OK with all the guys you listed as possabilites also, except Clemens needs to be contingent on him wearing the B to the HOF (if elected) and not the NY. But then again his # probably wont be retired with NY since he wasnt even invited to the last game at the stadium. I think Dewey should get the #24 up there and then down the road Manny can get his name. Cause Dewey is the OG #24.
I forgot to mention Dominic DiMaggio, one of the most underrated players in Sox history and the lone member of the "Teammates" who will not have been honored.
I realize at some point you risk lowering the bar too much having too many players retired, which is why I think the original "rules" were so strict.
As for Clemens HOF hat, the Hall has taken over selecting players' hats and I'd be shocked if they didn't pick Boston (and I'm very curious to see if he'll actually get in)
To think that this man played his entire career with Celiac disease, one of the most debilitating conditions known to man.
He should have been #2 instead of #6.
Clemens, years before the scandal hit, said that he wouldn't want to bein the Hall if it was in a Boston hat. Now, he'd be lucky to get in at all.
DK, I am curious to hear your take on Clemens. Though I am sure you are not happy with his tainted career, I have never heard his name come up in criticism from you, but have heard it mentioned for retiring numbers, the Hall, etc.
I feel very conflicted on Clemens for a few reasons.
#1 - Clearly he used steroids, and I've said that for years, long before the Mitchell Report. Nobody gets better, stronger, etc in their mid to late 30's as Clemens did when he joined the Blue Jays.
#2 - Clemens had a HOF caliber career based on his Red Sox career alone and it's a shame he chose to taint it the way he did. Maybe not Top 10 pitcher of all-time, but a Hall of Fame caliber pitcher for sure.
#3 - I do not believe Clemens was a cheater in Boston, so (although it never will be the case) I don't think his Sox career, and honors from Boston, should be affected by things that happened after he left. (Note: this is a problem I have with retiring Fisk's #. If he retired after leaving Boston he would not have been considered an all-time great, just a very, very good catcher).
#4 - I am still torn on Clemens (and Bonds) for the Hall of Fame. I haven't made up my mind on them yet. Unlike McGwire and Sosa who have HOF numbers because they used 'roids, Clemens and Bonds were HOF players before they juiced. Just the same I have a hard time honoring cheaters.
So, to answer your question, I have not said a ton about the Clemens situation because to be honest I'm still not 100% sure on where I stand on his place in baseball history, Red Sox history, or his HOF or # retired worthiness. I do 100% believe he used steroids, likely starting when he went to Toronto, so why should that affect his legacy as a Red Sox? Tough call Luke.
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