Carlton and Luis and me

Today was Red Sox legends day at the golf tournament, and I spent the morning as gatekeeper at hole 18. This pro-am started with players on each hole, a shot gun start, so we had to drive players from 18 to 1. Groups consisted of a pro golfer, a Red Sox legend or current Bruins player, and three amateurs who donate to charity to play. Eighteen is a problem hole for us with a narrow opening next to the grandstand making it difficult to drive a cart in to pick up players. For an "inside the ropes" experience you are further away from the action than most of the spectators. This year we were told not to bring the carts up the narrow gap. In fact a long wooden platform covered with green slip proof cloth was put in so the players could walk down to our carts on the road.

Now my job was to stand as close to the green as I could and gather up the players for the walk to the carts. Of course, it looked like the easiest way to get off the green was in the exact opposite direction. The marshalls on that side had to wave off the groups who then turned to see me goofily waving them on. My day started with the incomparable Carlton Fisk. Look up rugged New Englander in Wikipedia and I'm sure you'd see Fisk's picture. Despite being my age with the slightest of limps, he looks like he could still play or rip a tree up by the roots, whatever you need. He has a booming voice like the great Ted Williams and has a undeserved reputation as being a grouch. When I warned him of a steep and wet downslope, I was greeted with a smile and a booming "we got spikes" as if this slippery spot was beneath a New Englander's notice. He had hit a great approach shot into the green and missed the putt for a birdie on his first hole. As he proceeded down the cloth covered ramp he tried to convince his playing partners that things would be so much better if they would just replace the grass with the green cloth on the ramp. When I congratulated him on his great approach shot, he said "thanks" and then typical of all golfers followed with "if I could only putt." Our parking spot was a natural haven for autograph seekers and the Sox realized that's what they were there for. Fisk signed some programs, but when approached by someone with a jersey to sign, Fisk gave him a curt "I don't sign memorabilia" and he was off.
   Two groups behind was Luis Tiant. El Tiante is 71ish and gets to ride in his own cart so I never expected to see him up close today. His official entry at baseballreference.com lists him at six feet. I used to be 5' 8" and I'm taller than Luis. Luis is also a little pudgy and bandy-legged. He might supplant me as the out-of-shape looking one in the gang that plays at White Pines every week. Except this is Luis Tiant, one of the greatest athletes ever to come out of baseball crazy Cuba. At 71 he reached the 528 yard par 5 in regulation with a spectacular shot over the pin. A tough birdie putt down hill from 15 feet left him with a two footer which he drained, and then suddenly he was walking my way rather than heading for his cart. Warned of the slippery slope, his caddy, obviously a friend, grabbed him by the arm with a "let me help you, grandpa" as we all dissolved in laughter. I congratulated Luis on his sharp play, and the caddy, smoking a cigar that is usually Luis' trademark, then proceeded to rap on how he taught Luis everything he knows about good shots. Tiant and I walked down the ramp chuckling when the caddy blamed all bad shots on Luis. Someone had brought Luis cart around for him and he was quickly surrounded by autograph seekers. All the cart guys broke down our professional reserve and joined the line. Yes, I've got an authentic Luis Tiant autograph! The cart guys all thanked Tiant and he left us with a "Thank you, thank you" all his own.

Several other interesting things occurred during the day. Rico Petrocelli gave us an update on Johnny Pesky-he's doing so-so and is now in an assisted living, but hey he's 92. Brad Faxon is a great guy and another fine representative of our region. Andre Tippett still looks like he could play football and hockey players are still the most down to earth of all athletes. Disappointing all, there were no Heidi Watney sightings, but the assembled multitude is holding out hope since she is the cousin of golfer Nick Watney.

Why all the fuss about Luis Tiant? He was Pedro Martinez before there was a Pedro Martinez. His inspirational life story is featured in "The Lost Son of Havana" which will be featured by the Hockomock Film Club this season. One source says that Tiant may be the most beloved figure in Red Sox history and despite Big Papi, that source may be right. Tiant is also unfairly being kept out of baseball's Hall of Fame.  This website compares his statistics to other Hall of Famers, and he fits right in. Add in the fact that in several seasons he was the best pitcher in the American League and the starting pitcher in what is considered baseball's greatest game and you can see there is something special about this man's career.