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Forever Immortalized
September 23, 2008
9.23.08, 2:52 PM
Forever Immortalized
Red Sox To Retire Number 6
In Honor Of Mr Red Sox Himself, Johnny Pesky
By: Jared Carrabis
According to a Red Sox team source, the Red Sox organization will be retiring the legendary Johnny Pesky's number six this weekend in the final series of the 2008 season. On April 14, 1942, John Michael Paveskovich made his Major League Debut with the Boston Red Sox. 66 years later, the very same man known more famously as Johnny Pesky still remains with that very same team and still dresses for every game. Known to the organization and it's fans as "Mr. Red Sox", the 88-year-old Red Sox legend will now become a Red Sox immortal among the likes of Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Bobby Doerr, Joe Cronin and Carlton Fisk when his number six will be the seventh number to be retired in team history.
Johnny Pesky played seven and a half seasons with the Boston Red Sox and finished his career with 1,455 hits and a .307 career average. Pesky was selected to the 1946 All Star team representing the Boston Red Sox in the very same year the Red Sox won the pennant. Pesky scored 867 runs in his career and became the first American League ball player to score six runs in a nine inning game.
Impressed with Dustin Pedroia's 200 hits this season? Johnny Pesky sprayed 200 hits in his first three Major League seasons consecutively. The man they call Mr. Red Sox had the opportunity to play with some of the greatest Red Sox to ever wear the uniform. Johnny Pesky played along side the likes of (should be Hall of Famer) Dom DiMaggio and Hall of Famers Bobby Doerr and Ted Williams. At the end of the 2008 season, Johnny Pesky will join the last two players mentioned out in right field where his number will be enshrined in Fenway Park until the end of time.
Pesky was never much of a home run hitter but in 1948, the all time wins leader for left-handed pitchers in Red Sox history, Mel Parnell, was on the mound and Johnny Pesky hit a home run down the right field line (302 feet). The home run wrapped right around the foul pole in right field and ultimately won Parnell the ball game. Since that day Mel Parnell referred to the right field pole as "Pesky's Pole" and to this day that is what Red Sox Nation refers to the right field pole as.
The rules officially state that in order for your number to be retired by the Red Sox you must have played at least ten seasons with the team, you had to have retired with the team and last you must be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Johnny Pesky fits into neither of these categories but it is for the simple fact that he has given his entire life to this team. The man is 88-years old and he is still one of the first to show up to the ball park on game day. He may not fit into any of the categories mentioned, but he certainly fits into each and every member of Red Sox Nation's heart along with every manager, coach and player to ever be a part of the Red Sox.
This honor has long been overdue my friend, your legend, your legacy and your lifelong dedication to this team would have lived on forever at Fenway Park regardless, but now it's official. On behalf of all of Red Sox Nation, thank you for everything and enjoy the ceremony. No one deserves it more. Welcome to immortality Mr. Red Sox: Ted has been waiting for you.
-Jared Carrabis
-Jared Carrabis
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