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News
1/29/2002 5:23 pm ET
Notebook: Johnny Pesky has spring fever
By Mike Petraglia
redsox.com
BOSTON -- When Spring Training workouts start on Feb. 16 in Fort Myers, Fla., Johnny Pesky will once again be in action, assisting Manager Joe Kerrigan on the fields -- at the request of new Red Sox owner John Henry.
The 82-year-old former Red Sox infielder was only too eager to oblige.
"I was in New Hampshire when my wife let me know that Mr. Henry had called," Pesky said. "She told me that he was inviting me down to camp. That made me real happy. I'm looking forward to it.
"I actually have to drop some things off at Fenway so that they'll be on the truck
when it leaves in a couple of weeks for Florida," he said.
This will be Pesky's 57th year as a member of the Red Sox organization.
"I'll be helping Joe [Kerrigan] with some drills and keeping myself busy. It's a great time of year, the time we all look ahead to another season," Pesky said.
Pesky also told redsox.com that he was planning on attending the annual Hitters' Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Feb. 17 at the Ted Williams Museum in Hernando, Fla. New Red Sox hitting coach Dwight Evans will be among those honored at the museum.
Pesky was also relieved to hear that Williams was recovering nicely from the low blood pressure and flu-like symptoms that landed the Red Sox legend in the hospital last week. Williams was released from Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla. on Monday afternoon.
"I keep tabs on Ted as much as possible," Pesky said. "I was real happy to hear that he was doing better. Last week was a scare for everyone who knows Ted. I talk to Dom [DiMaggio] and I know he talks to Ted quite a bit."
Pokey Reese reported headed to Pittsburgh
Free agent Pokey Reese appears to be headed to Pittsburgh. The Boston Globe and The Beaver County Times, both citing sources close to the negotiations, are reporting that the Pirates have come to terms with the second baseman.
"We have a deal, pending a physical, with another club," Reese's agent, Michael Nicotera, told the Globe, adding that Reese was staying in the National League.
Reese was reportedly flying to Pittsburgh from his South Carolina home today.
"It's important for our fans to know that we made a strong offer to sign Pokey Reese because we like his defensive ability," Red Sox Executive Vice President and General Manager Dan Duquette said. "However, our flexibility was limited by what we could pay him this season because we have made other important commitments, i.e., we've put many resources into addressing our offseason needs."
Reese, a Gold Glove winner in 1999 and 2000, played five seasons with the Cincinnati Reds before finding himself on a whirlwind tour this offseason. He was traded from Cincinnati to the Colorado Rockies on Dec. 18, and then again from Colorado to the Boston Red Sox a day later. The Red Sox, still interested in signing Reese to a multiyear deal but hoping to avoid arbitration, did not tender Reese a contract, making him a free agent.
Elmore added to Red Sox 2002 big league camp
The Red Sox added left-handed pitcher Chris Elmore Tuesday to the list of non-roster invitees for Major League Spring Training camp.
Elmore, 24, finished with a combined 11-5 record and 2.34 ERA in 2001 at double-A Trenton and single-A Sarasota. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder struck out 96 batters and walked 31 while holding left-handed hitters to an overall .133 average.
Elmore was 6-2 with one save and a 2.41 ERA in 17 appearances (five starts) at Sarasota, striking out 40 and walking only 12. After being promoted to Trenton in June, he posted a 5-3 record and a 2.29 ERA for the Thunder in 14 appearances (13 starts). He struck out 56 batters and walked 19.
In 2000, his first professional season, the University of North Carolina product went 3-3 with a 1.89 ERA, a shutout and two saves for the short-season single-A Lowell Spinners.
The Red Sox selected Elmore in the 17th round of the 2000 June draft.
Mike Petraglia is the site reporter for redsox.com. Ed Eagle, site reporter for the Pittsburgh Pirates, contributed to this report.
A familiar sight: Former Red Sox infielder Johnny Pesky will be hitting fungos and greeting fans at 2002 Spring Training in Fort Myers, Fla. The 82-year-old Pesky has been with the Red Sox organization for 57 years as a player, coach and manager.
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