![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeYucrwB9Sbagu_lOdikvIDPw98CocjSpVIQrg95LR7NLMPHCcY5b9JXPq8ll0lNwGlcotsR4HYP-XlCwdae56aKvQcsbzl6ajKJCqbqljvj3assqGyRSwt6wAAgwKXx0_1P_KUfqYSo/s320/johnny_pesky.jpg) |
Johnny Pesky (1919-2012) |
Today is a very sad day for Red Sox fans. A man who has come to symbolize all that is good about the franchise,
Johnny Pesky, has passed away at the age of 92. Johnny was a unifying force across generations—linking fans of "The Kid" to fans of "The Laser Show". His uniform number six was rightly retired in 2008. Several years ago, I recall taking my young son into Fenway Park early before a game and seeing Johnny sitting alone on a stool against the low wall down the third base line—staring ahead with a fungo bat at his side. Cautiously, we approached him and asked him if he'd sign a ball. His face beamed, "Sure!" he said. Soon more and more fans began to crowd around him and he happily signed for another half-hour. It was a special moment. There aren't many irreplaceable people in this world—but Johnny was one of them. We will all miss him.