Johnny Pesky
From BR Bullpen
John Michael Pesky born John Michael Paveskovich
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9", Weight 168 lb.
- Debut April 14, 1942
- Final Game September 24, 1954
- Born September 27, 1919 in Portland, OR USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Johnny Pesky was the manager of the Boston Red Sox in 1963 and 1964. He managed the team again for five games in 1980. As a long-time coach for the Sox was known for his fungo ability, hitting thousands of balls off the left-field wall at Fenway Park for Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice and Mike Greenwell and hitting the groundballs that eventually made Wade Boggs a gold glove third baseman.
In 1990, Johnny was the manager of the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox for the second half of the season, taking over for Ed Nottle. His coaching duties were interrupted when Jimy Williams became manager in 1997 as Jimy was also a defensive specialist. Since then his role with the team has been reduced as his on field instruction has been limited. In 2004 he was banned from the Red Sox bench as he was not an official coach but in 2005 he was seen sitting on the bench during most Red Sox home games. He lives in the Boston area.
Pesky shares the major league record with 6 other players for most consecutive playing years leading his league in hits - 3 years (1942, 1946, and 1947). Pesky entered the Navy in June 1942, was called to active duty at the end of the season and was discharged in December 1945.
He is often blamed as the culprit on one of the most infamous plays in Red Sox history: in the 9th inning of Game 7 of the 1946 World Series, he was the relay man on the play where the St. Louis Cardinals' Enos Slaughter scored the Series' winning run from first base on a bloop hit to left-center field by Harry Walker. Pesky was blamed for holding the ball too long before throwing home, but in fact, even a perfect throw without any hesitation would not have gunned down the speedy Slaughter.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL All-Star (1946)
- 2-time AL At Bats Leader (1946 & 1947)
- 3-time AL Hits Leader (1942, 1946 & 1947)
- 3-time AL Singles Leader (1942, 1946 & 1947)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 6 (1942 & 1946-1950)
- 200 Hits Seasons: 3 (1942, 1946 & 1947)
| Preceded by Pinky Higgins | Boston Red Sox Manager 1963-1964 | Succeeded by Billy Herman |
[edit] Year-by-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Durham Bulls | Carolina League | 84-69 | 2nd | Detroit Tigers | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1957 | Birmingham Barons | Southern Association | 74-79 | 6th | Detroit Tigers | ||
| 1958 | Lancaster Red Roses | Eastern League | 75-57 | 1st | Detroit Tigers | Lost League Finals | |
| 1959 | Knoxville Smokies | South Atlantic League | 78-62 | 1st | Detroit Tigers | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1960 | Victoria Rosebuds | Texas League | 77-69 | 4th | Detroit Tigers | Lost League Finals | |
| 1961 | Seattle Rainiers | Pacific Coast League | 86-68 | 3rd | Boston Red Sox | none | |
| 1962 | Seattle Rainiers | Pacific Coast League | 76-74 | 4th | Boston Red Sox | none | |
| 1968 | Columbus Jets | International League | 82-64 | 2nd | Pittsburgh Pirates | Lost League Finals | |
| 1990 | Pawtucket Red Sox | International League | 32-41 | 4th | Boston Red Sox | replaced Ed Nottle |
