Monthly Archives: December 2011

“The best artist has that thought alone which is contained within the marble shell, the sculptor’s hand can only break the spell to free the figures slumbering in the stone.” Michaleangelo

Posted on December 19, 2011 by

It was now time for Franc to educate me and my education began with the explanation of what is called a maquette. No, no it’s not that college in Wisconsin that was once an NCAA basketball power. It’s a small … Continue reading →

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“He inspired young ballplayers across the Nation for decades, and we will always remember his persistence on the field and his courage off the field. Ted (Williams) gave baseball some of its best seasons-and he gave his own best seasons to his country.” President George W Bush

Posted on December 18, 2011 by

The “Jimmy Fund” had its beginnings in 1948 when the Variety Club of New England teamed with the Boston Braves to help a 12-year-old cancer patient from Maine who was known as simply, “Jimmy”. Millions tuned in on their radios to listen … Continue reading →

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“I need you to help me come to know Ted Williams.” Franc Talarico

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

Tis the season to interject a little Santa at Fenway! Santa? Is that you? I know, I know, you’re thinking what does Santa have to do with Fenway Park?  Well, believe it or not, it’s not Santa! It’s Franc, Franc … Continue reading →

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“Gino Cannoli, his real name is Gino Cannoli. You didn’t know that? He’s really Italian!” Robert A MacCormack to a little boy at Fenway Park, Memorial Day 1961

Posted on December 15, 2011 by

On December 15, 1960 the Red Sox announced that they had made a trade; Frank Sullivan was on his way to Philly and Gene Conley was heading to Fenway Park to ply his trade. On paper it looked like a wash, Sullivan was … Continue reading →

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“Awake. Be the witness of your thoughts. The elephant hauls himself from the mud. In the same way drag yourself out of your sloth” Buddha

Posted on December 14, 2011 by

On June 6, 1914 over 50,000 people jammed Fenway Park to welcome three elephants and celebrate the opening of the brand new Franklin Park Zoo.  At the time, it was the largest crowd ever gathered for a stadium event in the … Continue reading →

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“And the Rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air”…Francis Scott Key

Posted on December 13, 2011 by

He arrived at Fenway Park in 1984 with more fanfare than any Red Sox pitching prospect in their history; and within two years he showed why with a Koufaxian season in 1986 which saw him go 24-4 and win both the Cy … Continue reading →

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“I never ride just to ride. I ride to catch a fox. I play baseball to make the team.” Sargent Shriver

Posted on December 12, 2011 by

No less than 16 men with the last name of Fox have played major league baseball. All save one spelled it with one “x”. Two of them have been enshrined in Cooperstown, Jimmie and Nellie. One of them is on … Continue reading →

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“It’s not the price, it’s not the game, it’s not the score, it’s not the fame, whatever road looks way too far, it’s not what you have, it’s who you are.” AJ Michalka

Posted on December 11, 2011 by

On Thursday and Friday this week, Red Sox minor leaguer Ryan Westmoreland had five at bats in the Instructional League in the Dominican Republic. He grounded out twice, walked, struck out and was hit by a pitch. But he won, and he … Continue reading →

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Three Threads Weave Historic Tapestry

Posted on December 10, 2011 by

It has been said that it is the winners who write history and in baseball it is the superstars whose bronze plaques hang in repose in the inner sanctum of Cooperstown. It is they who pass the standards of excellence down … Continue reading →

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“Jimmie Foxx with all those muscles, hitting drives that sounded like gunfire. Crraack. A hell of a lot louder than mine sounded.” Ted Williams

Posted on December 9, 2011 by

They called him The Beast! Standing six feet even, he was 195 lbs of solid muscle and he could hit! James Emory “Jimmie” Foxx made his major league debut as a catcher with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1925. He was 17 years … Continue reading →

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