This appeal won’t be long, it isn’t the first of it’s kind, and it isn’t about spreading awareness as much as it’s about taking definitive action. The point? Former Red Sox left fielder Jim Rice belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame. This is a sentiment that has echoed throughout 15 years of voting and inductions and one that I take up a pen for now because this is his last year of eligibility. Many of you have heard Rice’s numbers and merit debated heatedly for over a decade. For those of the younger generation who aren’t so familiar with the cause; let me lead you to the fire. Between 1975 and 1986 Rice led all American League players in 12 different offensive categories; most notably home runs (350), RBI (1,276), total bases (3,670), slugging percentage (.520), runs (1,098) and hits (2,145). Break it down to an average season and it comes out to 29 homers, 106 RBI, 91 runs scored and an average above .300. In 1978 Rice’s top-notch performance with the Sox earned him the AL MVP and his continued excellence put him in the top five in AL MVP voting five more times. He topped the AL in homers three times and twice in RBI during his baseball tenure. Additionally, Rice stroked a .298 career batting average while never hitting less than .264 in any of his 14 full Major League seasons. Hitting 39 or more home runs in a season four times might not epitomize power and dominance by today’s standards, but it’s a stat that feels uniquely refreshing because it’s unmarred by steroid abuse. Rice relied on his natural ability and talent to rack up an average and home run production that puts him in elite company that includes Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays. So why have the members of the Baseball Writers Association of America denied Rice entry into the Hall? Some say that his numbers are good but simply not good enough. Others say that his standoffish attitude with the media sullied his chances. To me, this would be a grudge that has nothing to do with what I ask of professional athletes and one that has little to do with the standards given for voting: “player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.” Whether rumored or reasoned, I’ve heard no explanation solid enough to shut Jim Rice out of the Baseball Hall of Fame, especially not in his last year of eligibility. I’ve read that if he is not elected he will be qualified for the Veterans Committee ballot when it comes up again in two years; a consolation not good enough for a standout within a baseball tradition as illustrious as that of the Boston Red Sox. So sign this petition, Sawxheads. Jim Rice has been standing on the doorstep of the greatest honor in Major League Baseball for 15 years and it’s time that we show our support and get him inside. ...View More...View Less
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The Boston Red Sox have the largest fan base but look to expand it further.    To honor those senior citizens who do not have viewer access to the New England Sports Network,   and also the future fan base members who also may not have that access,   it would stand to reason that putting 15 (or so) games back on free,  over-the-air television in the 2009 season would make sense for all. We,  the undersigned,   ask this,  and contend that it would likely not affect attendance at Fenway Park,  nor would it lead to a desertion of New England Sports Network subscribers.     We also feel that this would not be a charitable move on the part of the Red Sox,  but a wise business and public relations decision in establishing a limited schedule televison network throughout New England. ...View More...View Less
Tags:,free television broadcast Red Sox

from: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081118&content_id=3683864&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos Evan Grant, the veteran baseball writer for The Dallas Morning News, admits that he made a mistake in judgment in not listing Pedroia as one of the 10 players on his ballot. Grant blogged in detail about his voting process on his newspaper's Web site on Tuesday afternoon. "Let me first say this to the Red Sox nation: In retrospect, it was a mistake," wrote Grant. Pedroia was listed in the top four in the 27 other ballots. (later in the article) Why no Pedroia? "Did I perhaps get too 'cute' at the bottom of the ballot? Yeah, probably," said Grant. "Was that a mistake? Yeah, probably. Was it a mistake to leave him out of the top five; In retrospect, yeah, it was. My colleagues all thought he belonged in the top five. My opinion on this one was obviously wrong. What I'm happiest about is that if my analysis was so wrong, at least it did not cost Pedroia the MVP Award. "I can assure you I give the MVP vote an awful lot of time. In this case, perhaps I gave it too much time and overanalyzed, particularly at the bottom of the ballot. In retrospect, it's hard to argue that Pedroia wasn't one of the 10 best players in the league." --Now can you imagine someone being snubbed from the HOF because this guy, or a similar writer, "made a mistake." This is the next major issue the commissioners office needs to address. I don't mind certain writers get a vote, but lets not give them supreme control on such illustrious awards. ...View More...View Less
Tags:,Evan Grant,revoke Award voting privleges

I have started this petition because Johnny Pesky has been a role model to the Major League and has worked in the Boston Red Sox organization for nearly 60 years.  Last year the Red Sox rewarded him by retiring his number.  Pesky used to sit on the bench for the Red Sox game, but the MLB has since made a rule that a team can only have a certain amount of coaches on their bench....Pesky has since watched the Red Sox games in the clubhouse with his uniform on.  With more than 60 years of service for the MLB and more to come Pesky at least deserves to sit on the bench.  Pesky has expressed that  he misses sitting on the bench.  Why is it a big deal that the 89 year old can sit on a bench with his team of 60 years? ...View More...View Less

Born just a stones throw from Fenway Park in Revere, MA, Tony Conigliaro entered the hearts of New England as a member of the Boston Red Sox at young age of just 19-years-old. Conigliaro homered in his very first at bat at Fenway Park hitting a shot over the Green Monster and into the screen.In his rookie season in 1964, Conigliaro hit .290 with 24 home runs and 52 RBI. His second season with the Boston Red Sox proved to be even better when Tony C led the American League in home runs with 32.In that magical season of the Impossible Dream, Conigliaro was selected to play in the 1967 All Star game at the age of 22 and in that same season became the youngest player to hit a total of 100 home run in their career. With 25 home runs, Conigliaro holds the Major League record for most home runs by a teenager.Tragically, the promising career of Tony Conigliaro came to a crashing halt when on the night of August 18, 1967 a fastball out of the hand of Jack Hamilton collided with the cheekbone of the hometown hero. An unfortunate accident tragically altered what had the makeup to being a sure Hall of Fame career, but now we will never know.Tony C returned to the Red Sox a year and a half later in 1969 hitting 20 home runs with 81 RBI for the Red Sox. His incredible efforts of determination and prosperity earned him the Comeback Player of the Year award. If there was a such thing as the Comeback Player of the Century award, I'm sure Tony Conigliaro would be atop the list to receive such an honor.How am I so sure of this? Well, beginning in 1990, the Red Sox instituted an award in honor of Tony Conigliaro. The award is given annually to the player that "best overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks of Conigliaro".After the pitch that ended his 1967 season, Tony C put together his best season in his career even after his vision had been impaired by the misguided fastball. In 1970, Conigliaro belted 36 home runs and drove in 116 runs, both of which were career highs for the slugging Sox outfielder.Tony C batted .267 in his years with the Red Sox with a total of 162 home runs and drove in a total of 501 runs in the 802 games in which he played wearing a Boston Red Sox uniform.On February 24, 1990, our beloved Tony Conigliaro passed away at the age of 45. Tony C will always be remember as one of the greatest and most inspirational players to ever don the Red Sox uniform. In his honor, and I know I don't stand alone when I say this, I propose this petition to see that the next number to be retired by the Boston Red Sox is the number 25 worn by Tony Conigliaro throughout his entire career with the Red Sox.I would like to thank anyone who signs this petition in advance as I'm sure there will be many of you. The retiring of his number 25 is long overdue and with your help, we can see that it is finally done. ...View More...View Less
Tags:,Tony Conigliaro