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"And if I have my choice between a pennant and a triple crown, I'll take the pennant every time."

The Last Hurrah

October 1, 1983

"New England," he said. " I love you."

Carl Yastrzemski was ready to play the last game of an amazing Red Sox career. It was "Yaz Day" at Fenway Park. A late summer afternoon where the hard-working left fielder would stand before the shadow of the "Green Monster" for the last time.

He came to the Red Sox in 1961 as a highly touted rookie who would carry on the presence of the recently retired Ted Williams. Yastrzemski was a proud man. At age 44, he had controlled his emotions through elation and heartbreak, but on October 2, 1983, the stern exterior cracked enough for millions of fans to catch a glimpse of the man behind the number eight.

He exited the dugout before the scheduled game with Cleveland after a gathering with teammates in the clubhouse. The cheers were deafening. Six minutes of roaring appreciation for the man who guarded the left field wall for the Olde Towne Team over two decades. Yaz was presented with a car, a boat and a Bronco. A silver bat, silver bowl, and a rocking chair. They were small tokens of New England's appreciation for Yastrzemski's efforts and approach to the game, presented before a moment that stands clear in memory of all who could see it.

Yaz jogged to the fans, beginning a run around the field where he shook as many hands as he could. He made his way down the right field line, waved to the screaming fans in the center field bleachers and headed for the familiar confines of left field before reaching the Red Sox dugout.

"I wanted to show my emotions," he said later. "For 23 years, I always blocked everything out. I wanted to show these people that deep down, I was emotional for all that time."

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