RIP Johnny Pesky

[Orioles5]

Sad to hear this news.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireSto...es-92-16996969

[Dude Paskert]

What a long and fantastic life this man lived...but, it's still so sad to see him go.

[GiambiJuice]

Coming from a diehard Yankees fan, RIP Johnny.

[Ben Grimm]

About 10 years ago I used to visit a local watering hole on stormy saturdays and talk to the bartender there. Often I was the only patron, and we'd talk baseball for hours while catching the game on tv. He was about 80 then, and has seen alot of things I'll never get to. Seeing Babe Ruth play live, seeing the Philadelpia Stars play (he grew up apparently within a mile of their field), naturally seeing Jackie, Willie, etc. in their primes. We often talked about the '46 WS - he saw the games in Boston live. He'd go practically play by play, knew every lineup - starting pitcher and whatnot. I even checked BB-Ref and he was close - very close considering it was about 55 years from memory. Seeing Pesky here reminds me of those days hearing those stories because his name came up quite often.

It's those simple times that make one appreciate the game that much more. RIP Mr. Pesky.

[BigRon]

Seven or eight years ago a good friend of mine moved from Pittsburgh to Swampscott, Massachusetts, about 15 miles north of Boston. I'd go and visit him and his family every year for a few days. He mentioned to me that he had learned that Johnny Pesky lived in or next to Swampscott and went to a local diner almost every morning for breakfast. We both said we should go over to the diner and introduce ourselves to him- apparently Pesky was hapy to talk baseball there with all sorts of folks. Unfortunately, we never did and now it's too late.

[ol' aches and pains]

RIP, I wonder if he'll be buried holding a ball.

[Los Bravos]

Not to be overly sentimental but I hope wherever he is, Ted's there too, giving him a hard time.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Is there any film of the famous Enos Slaughter play?

[Honus Wagner Rules]

RIP, I wonder if he'll be buried holding a ball.

Oh dang. Did you really have to bring that up?

[9RoyHobbsRF]

the Book "1946 when the boys came back" describes the series very well and that play and what led up to it in particular

Slaughter held up at third on a similar play in game 1 and when the cards lost game 1 by 1 run he vowed he would not stop again if a similar play came up in the series

Dom DiMaggio was injured running out I believe a double in the bottom of the 8th and was replaced by a much weaker defender, I believe Leon Culberson.

Harry Walker had a disatrous season and was told by I believe his brother Dixie Walker to quit trying to pull the ball and drive it to the opposite field.

Bob Klinger was the Red Sox best reliever but due to a variety of circumnstances had not pitched in many weeks.

The play in question would not have resulted in most experts opinion had Dom D still be in CF, and as it was he definitely would have had a stronger throw that what Culberson supposeldy had - a weak lob type throw. And Slaughter was not to be denied, many experts thought Pesky had little or no chance if he had turned and wheeled and made a perfect throw

all accoring to the book.

[Orioles5]

Is there any film of the famous Enos Slaughter play?

Why yes there is.

[ian2813]

Great footage! I'd never seen that before!

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I hate to say it but it does look like he held onto the ball a little too long.

[ol' aches and pains]

I hate to say it but it does look like he held onto the ball a little too long.

He did hold it for about a second, didn't he? And even though I joked about it in my post above, I think it's a shame that that one-second's hesitation came to define Pesky for the rest of his life. Most fans, if they know his name at all, only know about that play.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

He did hold it for about a second, didn't he? And even though I joked about it in my post above, I think it's a shame that that one-second's hesitation came to define Pesky for the rest of his life. Most fans, if they know his name at all, only know about that play.

I agree, I'm not sure if Pesky was ever considered for the hof but that would be a shame if that play kept him out. I always thought guys like him and Cecil Travis deserved more consideration for the hof.