It's a sad day for baseball and Red Sox fans because we lost a true legend today, Johnny Pesky a/k/a "Mr. Red Sox". A lot of people will do research and write a bio on Pesky but instead I'd rather share stories from my two encounters with him.
My first encounter was an autograph signing in Quincy, MA where they had a few people signing autographs at the show. One of the people signing autographs at the show was the legendary Mr. Don Zimmer. I was standing two people away from Mr. Zimmer and all of the sudden Johnny Pesky snuck up behind me. He hid behind me and yelled "that Zimmer is a bum!". Zimmer looked up and Pesky looked out from behind me while the two of them shared a laugh. Pesky walked over to Zimmer, hugged him and the two of them started to share stories. Easily one of the coolest moments in my life, watching these two legends with a lifetime of baseball stories between them share a laugh and a quick chat.
My second (and final) encounter with Pesky was at his last public autograph signing in Burlington, MA. I hadn't had a chance to add Mr. Pesky's autograph to my collection yet and was very interested in meeting him at the autograph signing. My wife accompanied me to the autograph signing because it was her birthday, and we were headed out to lunch and shopping after the card show. As I approached the table, I introduced myself and shook his hand. Johnny said hello to my wife and I told him how I was lucky to have her since it was her birthday and she accompanied me to the autograph signing. Johnny was quick to say "she's a beautiful young lady, you better take her out to a really nice dinner". Yes, Johnny Pesky at the age of 91-92 hit on my wife and I loved every second of it.
With his passing today, we truly lost a great legend but an even better person. I'll always remember these two stories and hope to share these stories with my kid(s) someday. I'm sad to hear of his passing, but he'll always hold a special place in my memories.
My first encounter was an autograph signing in Quincy, MA where they had a few people signing autographs at the show. One of the people signing autographs at the show was the legendary Mr. Don Zimmer. I was standing two people away from Mr. Zimmer and all of the sudden Johnny Pesky snuck up behind me. He hid behind me and yelled "that Zimmer is a bum!". Zimmer looked up and Pesky looked out from behind me while the two of them shared a laugh. Pesky walked over to Zimmer, hugged him and the two of them started to share stories. Easily one of the coolest moments in my life, watching these two legends with a lifetime of baseball stories between them share a laugh and a quick chat.
My second (and final) encounter with Pesky was at his last public autograph signing in Burlington, MA. I hadn't had a chance to add Mr. Pesky's autograph to my collection yet and was very interested in meeting him at the autograph signing. My wife accompanied me to the autograph signing because it was her birthday, and we were headed out to lunch and shopping after the card show. As I approached the table, I introduced myself and shook his hand. Johnny said hello to my wife and I told him how I was lucky to have her since it was her birthday and she accompanied me to the autograph signing. Johnny was quick to say "she's a beautiful young lady, you better take her out to a really nice dinner". Yes, Johnny Pesky at the age of 91-92 hit on my wife and I loved every second of it.
With his passing today, we truly lost a great legend but an even better person. I'll always remember these two stories and hope to share these stories with my kid(s) someday. I'm sad to hear of his passing, but he'll always hold a special place in my memories.
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