RIP Johnny Pesky

John Michael Pesky was born John Michael Paveskovich on September 27, 1919 in Portland, OR. He was signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent in 1940. No one represented the Red Sox better for the next 60+ years. Pesky only made the All-Star game once, but led the league in hits three times (’42, ’46, ’47) and finished near the top in the AL MVP race in ’42 and ’46 (losing to Joe Gordon and Ted Williams respectively). If Pesky had not surrendered three years in his prime (1943-1945 when he was 23-25) he may have well ended up in Cooperstown. Pesky’s only post season appearance was the 1946 World Series against the Cardinals, in which St. Louis edged the Sox 4-3 in the decisive game 7. After being traded away from the Sox on June 3, 1952, Pesky wound down his career playing for the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Nationals.

Above, the also recently deceased Red Sox Mel Parnell is flanked on the left by Teddy Ballgame and on the right by Mr. Red Sox himself, Johnny Pesky.