6:03 PM Tue, Sep 23, 2008 | Permalink
Kevin McNamara  Email
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Journal photo / Gretchen Ertl
Johnny Pesky appears at the press conference today.
BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON -- Red Sox ownership has just concluded a press conference with Johnny Pesky, where they announced the old shortstop's No. 6 will be retired this Friday night.
Team president Larry Lucchino said the Sox considered Pesky's 68 years of service to the organization in all sorts of capacities in deciding to break the team's guidelines for retiring a number.
Prior to Pesky, a Red Sox player had to meet three criteria for having their number retired by the team: 1. Be a member of the baseball Hall of Fame. 2. Play at least 10 years with the Red Sox. 3. Finish his career with the club.
Pesky is not a member of the Hall of Fame and didn't play 10 seasons for the Sox, though he would qualify on that count if his years in the military during World War II (1943-45) are counted. Pesky has been with the organization for 57 years, serving as manager (1963-64), coach (1975-84), minor-league manager, broadcaster, special assistant to the general manager, and special assignment instructor.
"This is something that John (Henry), Tom (Werner) and I have given plenty of thought to over the years," said Lucchino. "Make no mistake, we don't enter into these kinds of decisions lightly, but it is one for which which we feel an enormous sense of appropriateness, fitness, rightness. Johnny has been with this franchise for nearly six decades and he is a very special ambassador and person in this organization."
Lucchino was asked if Pesky's retirement opens the door for other great Red Sox who are not Hall of Famers to receive a similar honor. He said the standards have not changed but "Johnny Pesky's career cries out as an exception."
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I was born and raised in Swansea, MA and grew up going to Fenway and rooting for the Red Sox since the 40's. Am thrilled to see the honoring of Johnny Pesky.
I now live in Knoxville, TN and have for awhile but still root for the Red Sox. Do get homesick for them and MA. About two years ago, I went to Atlanta to see them play the Braves (even rooted for them when they were in Boston) and the Sox won.
Best of luck to Johnny and the whole Red Sox team.
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I'd suggest painting a huge number 6 on the Pesky Pole:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesky's_Pole
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