Today's Birthday: Johnny Pesky (Lancaster Red Roses manager, 1958)

Credits: Bowman Gum via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League manager Johnny Pesky was born on this date in 1919. He managed the 1958 Lancaster Red Roses to a 1st place regular season finish with a 75-57 record. They lost in the league championship finals to the Binghamton Triplets.

Pesky played in the majors for the Boston Red Sox (1942, 1946-52), Detroit Tigers (1952-54), and Washington Senators (1954). 

After he retired as a player, he managed several seasons in the minor leagues and coached for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox. He managed the Red Sox in 1963 and '64, and for 5 games in 1980. He was also a broadcaster for the Red Sox (1969-74) 

The right field foul pole at Fenway Park is named the "Pesky Pole" in his honor.

He died on August 13, 2012, at the age of 93.

Source: Baseball Reference 

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.