Red Sox legend Johny Pesky dead at 92
Shortstop Johnny Pesky, a Boston Red Sox legend for feats both actual and mythological, died Monday in Danvers, Mass., at 92. Born John Michael Paveskovich in Portland, Ore., in 1919, he played, managed and served as a broadcaster for the Red Sox in a baseball career that lasted more than 60 years.
Shortstop Johnny Pesky, a Boston Red Sox legend for feats both actual and mythological, died Monday in Danvers, Mass., at 92. Born John Michael Paveskovich in Portland, Ore., in 1919, he played, managed and served as a broadcaster for the Red Sox in a baseball career that lasted more than 60 years.
His last public appearance at Fenway Park was memorable: At the 100th anniversary of the venerable stadium on April 20, a tearful, wheelchair-bound Pesky was surrounded by dozens of admiring former players at second base during a pregame ceremony.
A lifetime .307 hitter, he was part of a talented Boston lineup with Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr and Dom DiMaggio. Pesky hit .331 - second in the AL only to Williams' .356 - and notched 205 hits in 1942, his rookie year.
Of course, playing in Boston, he had his ignominious share of the folklore surrounding the Red Sox's 86-year World Series drought. Fans blamed him for holding the ball for a split second on the cutoff as Enos Slaughter dashed from first to score the winning run for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Red Sox in Game 7 of the 1946 World Series.
Pesky always denied hesitating and film of the play belied the persistent myth. "In my heart, I know I didn't hold the ball," he said.
It's good to be a lefty
The Cleveland Indians traded lefthanded reliever J.C. Romero to the Baltimore Orioles for minor-league infielder Carlos Rojas on Monday. This is actually the former Phillie's second stint this season with Orioles organization. He started the year with St. Louis, going 0-0 with a 10.13 ERA in 11 games for the Cardinals before being released May 14. The O's then signed him to to a minor-league contract and he went 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 17 appearances for triple-A Norfolk. He was then signed to a minor-league deal by the Tribe on July 21 and pitched in eight games for triple-A Columbus. The Orioles, still in contention for an AL wild-card spot, will add Romero to the 25-man roster.
Survivor: Atlanta
The Atlanta Braves are turning their rotation into a reality show, with manager Fredi Gonzalez saying he'll go with six starters for two weeks before picking the best five at the end of August (presumably at a meeting lit by tiki torches). Contestants are Tommy Hanson, Tim Hudson, Mike Minor, Paul Maholm, Ben Sheets, and Kris Medlen (2-0 in three starts after moving from the bullpen). Gonzalez says Medlen will stick if he can outwit, outplay and outlast.
This article contains information from the AP.