DATE: 1942 ORIGINAL or REPRINT: Type 2 Original - Printed from the original negative, but in a later period TEAM: Boston Red Sox SUBJECT: Johnny Pesky PHOTOGRAPHER: George Burke APPROXIMATE SIZE: 3-1/2"x5-1/2" MARKS / STAMPING: Handwritten identification of photo's subject. Has standard postcard back but remains postally unused. NUMBER OF PHOTOS: 1 COMMENTS / CONDITION: Offered is an approximately 3-1/2"x5-1/2" real photo postcard of Johnny Pesky, pictured in his Boston Red Sox uniform circa 1942. The original photo was taken by George Burke in 1942, but this card was produced some time later (no earlier than the 1950's judging by the standard Kodak back). Comes from a large collection of such postcards that we will be listing over the coming months, all having standard postcard backs but being postally unused. Wear on these, if any, is mostly confined to minor corner and edge wear, but see scans for further details including condition. We do not deal in stock images or modern reprints, and all scans shown are of the actual item being sold. If you have any questions about a particular piece, please ask before the auction ends. BIO: John Michael Pesky (born John Michael Paveskovich) was born in 99 in Portland, OR and died in 202 in Danvers, MA. He played major league baseball from 942 to 954 as infielder for the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators, appeared in the 946 World Series, and was selected in 946 as an All-Star. Johnny Pesky's biography is Mr. Red Sox by Bill Nowlin, published by Rounder Books. Pesky has been associated with the Boston Red Sox for 57 of his 69 years in baseball – from 940 through June 3, 952; 96 through 964; and continuously since 969. He was their manager in 963-964, and in September 980. In honor of Pesky, the right field foul pole at Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, is known as Pesky's Pole, or the Pesky Pole. Former teammate and Sox broadcaster Mel Parnell named the pole after Pesky. The story goes that Pesky won a game for Parnell in 948 with a home run down the short (302 feet/92m) right field line, just around the pole. Being that Pesky was a contact hitter who hit only 7 home runs -- six of them at Fenway Park -- in 4,745 at bats in the major leagues, it's quite possible that the home runs he hit there landed in close proximity to the pole. Although he is an icon as "Mr. Red Sox," Pesky actually began his coaching career in the New York Yankees organization with the 955 Denver Bears of the AAA American Association — working under manager Ralph Houk. From 956-60, Pesky was a manager in the Detroit farm system, reaching the AA level. He then rejoined the Red Sox in 96 as manager of their AAA farm club, the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. SKU: GB12302
Item: GB12302
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