Lee stands out at Sox Hall ceremony
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Toolbox
By Peter du Moulin Correspondent - Published: November 22, 2008
The fourth floor of the Copley Marriott Hotel in Boston was alive with Red Sox nostalgia as eight former members of the Red Sox family were inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame on Friday evening. Over seven hundred fans mingled with Red Sox greats as Wes Farrell, Mike Greenwell, Bill Lee, Everett Scott, Frank Sullivan, Mo Vaughn, George Digby and Edward Kenney Sr. were the latest to be inducted.
During the cocktail reception fans gathered around the Johnny Pesky, Luis Tiant, Lou Gorman, John Harrington, Jim Rice and other former Red Sox players and executives all of whom happily signed autographs and posed with fans for pictures. Both the 2004 and 2007 World Series trophies were positioned to accommodate a steady line of people posing with the trophies for photos.
A highlight of the evening was Vermont's Bill Lee, as he dazzled the media and fans with his thoughts on everything from Manny Ramirez to Osama Bin Laden. Lee stated he cost the Red Sox management about $400M by spearheading the drive to save Fenway Park. Lee spoke passionately and proudly of his father as well as his love of baseball which, although expressed uniquely, continues to this daily.
Frank Sullivan, who pitched for the Red Sox from 1953-1960, spoke of a day of fishing with Ted Williams, an eight-hour event with the only meal being an apple and some water. He commented that he was surprised that there was no beer as he assumed that was a staple of any fishing trip. Sullivan was an All-Star for the Red Sox in both 1955 and 1956.
Mo Vaughn reminded the audience that, "no one ever remembers that he played for the Angels and the Mets." He is always thought of as a Red Sox and to this day remains active in several charities for disadvantaged youths.
Mike Greenwell commented that he was looking forward to seeing Fenway Park for the first time since he left the Red Sox in 1996. He claimed he would have enjoyed patrolling left field with the monsters seat fans cheering from above.
The Red Sox Hall of Fame inductions were a fundraiser for the Red Sox Foundation. Between each inductee there were interviews with young people who have benefited from the generosity of Red Sox Nation. Everything from the Jimmy Fund to the Red Sox Scholars programs was touched upon throughout the evening.
One touching moment was when Claudia Williams, the daughter of Ted Williams, spoke about her father whose home run on his last at bat on September 28, 1960 was being honored.
She said that the day before his last game, her dad spent his time visiting young people who were ill as his support and love of the Jimmy Fund was something he held dear throughout his life.
Overall, the night was filled with laughter and memories, cheers and chatter that honored not only the past greatness of the Red Sox but also the present impact that the Red Sox Foundation has had with its commitment throughout New England.