Happy Birthday Johnny Pesky!

Johnny Pesky turns 90 today.  Happy Birthday from Fenway West.

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Dom DiMaggio "Liked the Way Ellsbury Played"

Steve Buckley has a column up at the Boston Herald after a chat today with Johnny Pesky where he reflects on Dom DiMaggio:

“But Dommie was a very sharp guy, very up to date on things,” Pesky said. “He watched the games, and he loved talking about the Red Sox . I was just talking to him a couple of weeks ago. He liked that Ellsbury kid. He didn’t see him much in person. But he said he liked the way he played, the way he carried himself.

I highly recommend you read Teammates by David Halberstam to understand Pesky and DaMaggio's friendship.

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All About Ellsbury

This could be a breakout year for Jacoby Ellsbury, Johnny Pesky is even comparing him to Ted Williams:

"I have a lot of faith in Jacoby Ellsbury," said Pesky. "I think he could be a real good one. If he was 10 pounds bigger he could be, I keep saying it and people tell me I'm full of bull, he could be the next Ted Williams. He has that kind of ability. He's not as big as Ted. He doesn't run as good as Ted. But he's a much better fielder and a much better thrower than Ted. Ellsbury is the complete package and that's what you have to have."

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Johnny Pesky's Curtain Call

This may be the last season that Johnny Pesky works for the Red Sox. He spoke with reporters outside of Fenway today as the Grand Marshall of Truck Day:

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Help Pesky Get Back in the Dugout

There is a new petition up at Sawxheads for MLB to go back to letting Johnny Pesky sit on the bench. Last spring MLB enforced a rule about the number of uniformed coaches allowed to sit on the bench making Pesky have to watch the games from the clubhouse. MLB can make an exception for a hero of the sport. Please take a moment and sign the petition.

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Congrats To Johnny Pesky

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Red Sox Will Retire Pesky's 6 on Friday

The Boston Red Sox will retire Johnny Pesky's number 6 on Friday before the Yankee game. I meed Pesky 3 years ago at New Hampshire Speedway, he was the nicest guy you could meet; he took the time to write out a long note for my son. It is so great for the Red Sox to amend their rules to let his number be retired for all he has done for the Sox throughout the years.

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Oregon Loves the Sox

let's take a storied history of the Boston Area, especially the Red Sox, and the great western state of Oregon (yes, the little one right above California, the "Green" state, if you will).

Jacoby Ellsbury, Obviously an Oregon State grad and Madras, Oregon hometown boy, (My hometown too, originally),
Jed Lowrie from our State Capital, Salem.

Now those are the two current, obvious ones.

Let's start with Johnny Pesky, from "Slab Town" (Portland, where the log slabs were left), worked for the PCL league Portland Beavers (knew the Dimaggios before they made the bigs) was a locker room attendant.

Bobby Doerr was fishing in Southern Oregon, fell in love with a small town Oregon Teacher

Ted Williams, said to have one of his favorite fishing holes, near that small town Oregon.

you want more? OK here we go...............
Don't forget other greats like Luis Tiant, Lou Pinella, Sam McDowell, Ray Fosse and other Local Beavers... I remember when the Beavers were the AAA twin's franchise in the 80's . . . but this doesn't even count the numerous players that have slipped in and out of our Fine cities and states, as ball players (like when I saw Tim Salmon play here in Bend as a A level player. . . )... so ... all tooting aside, I have one more, Not Sox related, but beloved in Boston as all get out, DANNY FRICKIN AINGE. Oregonian, I wont point out that the "NEW" Yankee . . Ritchie Sexson is an Oregonian.... but we'll leave that topic for another day.

Not to mention Scott Hatteberg, Alan Embree, Aaron Rowand, Jamie Burke,the once Yankee Scott Brosius, ok ok ok i'm done. . . OH yeah .. what about good ol' Harold Reynolds?? yeah we claim him too!

Phil Knight, Dan Fouts, Ahmad Rashad, Steve Prefontaine, Bill Bowerman (the Legend) Mary Decker Slaney, Picaboo Streeet, (Gold Medalist 2x) Mariel Zagunis, Dan O'Brien (Decathalete), Dick Fosbury (the Fosbury Flop), Matt Groening (The Simpsons creator LOL) don't forget Ann Curry from the Today Show : )...lots lots lots more, I think I've made my point.

Come To Oregon sometime, it's mellow here, BEAUTIFUL as all get out, and I'd love to buy you a world famous Oregon brew (some of the best in the world). . . Btw. . GO BEAVERS. GO SOX.

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Red Sox Christmas Gifts

Two must-haves for Red Sox fans hit the market this week including the first book recapping the season and the World Series DVD. The book Diary of a Red Sox Season is written by "Mr. Red Sox" Johnny Pesky with a forward by Peter Gammons. With these two guys you can't go wrong. As I posted earlier, I met Johnny Pesky last year and he couldn't have been nicer. He took the time to write out a nice note and autograph for my son. After the 2004 season several books came out just before Christmas including Stephen King's disappointing book Faithful. This book should be better. The World Series DVD comes out on Nov. 27 and should help you get through that awful time of the year until pitchers and catchers report to spring training. The DVD is $16.99 from Shout Factory. You can watch the trailer to the DVD below. Happy shopping!

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