SHERM FELLER

July 29, 1918-January 27, 1994

When a patron of Fenway Park purchases a ticket to a ball game, their intention is to go see “the Sox”. They will often check to see who they may see pitch, hope that they get to see this guy or that guy perform. However, very often, little thought is given to, shall we say, the entire “ballpark experience,” which today would include, the festivities on Yawkey Way…..

Or Landsdowne Street…..

Or perhaps a visit to pay homage to the statues on the corner of Van Ness and Ipswich Streets.

In a not so far away time and for the better part of three decades, an essential part of the Fenway Park experience, was this man…..

Sherm Feller………………………………………………………………………..

If you frequented Fenway Park at anytime from 1967 through the 1993 season, you were greeted by this voice,  http://www.shermfeller.com/ He was a perfect fit for the Fenway Park landscape of his time, no flair, no-nonsense, no gimmicks, just his voice, smooth, melodic, professional and welcoming.

When Sherm arrived for the 1967 season, he carried with him quite a resume, which dated back to the early days of WW II.  Working as an overnight announcer on WEEI in Boston, young Feller was called upon to fill up four hours of air time a night.

Taking full advantage of the myriad of Boston Night Clubs, Sherm began a litany of guests to his studio. Among them: Tommy Dorsey, Nat King Cole, Stan Kenton, Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra, Totie Fields, Hoagy Carmichael  and even the Wizard of Oz Scarecrow himself, Ray Bolger.

The quintessential renaissance man, Sherm was an accomplished musician and songwriter. Among his thousands of songs was a the top 40 hit, Summertime,  Summertime, by the Jamies.

                                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeNAgBFmJpM

However, the musical piece of which he was most proud was his John Kennedy Symphony which was played by the Boston Pops in a birthday tribute to the fallen President.

When Sherm began his tenure as the voice of Fenway Park, he was paid twelve dollars a game and it cost him fourteen dollars in cab fare to get to and from work. His thoughts, “I really love the game.”

http://www.shermfeller.com/

Since 1954, when Frank Fallon became Fenway Park’s first “voice”, a total of five people have sat behind her microphone. For twenty-six years, that voice belonged to Sherm Feller. It is time that Sherm take his place in the Red Sox hall of fame. For nearly three decades he was as much a part of Fenway Park and the Red Sox as any player, coach or manager. And, with the exception of Johnny Pesky, he was around longer than any of them. And first and foremost, he loved the game, it’s time for the game and the Red Sox to love him back!

    And so it was at this time in Fenway Park history, 1967-93, Sherm’s Time.