We also welcomed Steve Cishek, pitcher for the Miami Marlins and a native of Falmouth, Mass., and Rich Waltz, broadcaster for the Marlins. Coming off an amazing night where Bogaerts hit a remarkable three run single off a 100 mph pitch and won the game last night in a clutch moment, there was excitement in the air. It is the first time since 1967 that the Red Sox have had a three-run single. Bogaerts has developed into one of the very best shortstops in all of baseball, and one of the great clutch hitters.
Tom Werner, Chairman of Boston Red Sox for 13 years, started the Run to Home Base Program that supports Men and Women in the military who come back with invisible wounds. He was honored by the U.S. Army and given the Outstanding Civilian Services Award in 2013, their highest award given to a civilian. He grew up in New York a Yankees fan. However, like he said, "we all make mistakes when we're young." As a freshman at Harvard in 1967, he went to a game at Fenway Park, became enamoured and that love affair has continued to this day. Sam Kennedy thanked the BoSox Club members for their impact on kids, on families and with the memories created that stay with you forever.
The great Tim Wakefield, 200 wins and in our hearts and souls forever in all he accomplished, talked about missing the competition. "Nothing can take away the place of the adrenaline of stepping on the field and facing another team." However, he don't miss the daily grind and being away from his family. Now he gets to enjoy both. He enjoys broadcasting, and bringing in a players' perspective. "You forget sometimes how hard the game really is. Sometimes you just run through a string of bad luck."
Dick Flavin once again amazed and entertained the group. For 70 years he's been coming to Fenway Park. His poems take us back every time to the ghosts of games gone by. And, as a very special treat, Dick signed copies of his recently published his new book, "Red Sox Rhymes: Verses and Curses" for our members before it went on sale to the public. Thank you to Dick for signing many copies that day!