knightni Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 4. Carlton Fisk (18 of 27 lists - 352 points - highest ranking #1 juddling, Texsox, YASNY, shipps) bio by Texsox - It seems natural that whatever position you played as a kid you will identify and be a fan of the guys playing that position. For me it is catcher, and the greatest practitioner of the trade in Sox history is Carlton Ernest Fisk. I will admit I’ve cheated and really love AJ, and hope for the return of Sandy Alomar in a coach’s role, but the guy who I loved to watch was Fisk. Fisk was and is a hardnosed competitor, knowledgeable, hardworking, and most of all a protector of the game. I’ll suffer the indignation that Boston loves Fisk as well, the left field foul pole at Fenway is named Fisk’s pole and the clip of him waving the ball fair, in a Red Sox jersey, is perhaps the most played highlight of all time. I’ll even accept that in Cooperstown he’s wearing a Red Sox cap. But my other great favorite Baines is loved everywhere he played and it probably confirms the types of players I tend to be a fan of. Fisk is one of only eight players to have their jersey retired by two teams. There is also a nice Fisk statue at the Cell. He has also been presented with two honorary World Series rings, The Red Sox for 2004 and the White Sox for 2005. An honors section would stretch a long way, so instead I’ll end this with why he’s my favorite Sox player. You see, it isn’t just about ability. It’s character. My favorite Fisk moment was threatening to kick Dieon Sanders ass for not running out a pop fly. His exact quote to Sanders during his next at bat "If you don't play it [the game] right, I'm going to kick your ass right here." Damn that is so f***ing cool. He loves the game like a fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 (edited) Pshhh. Hall of Fame Cap = Red Sox edit: It was a joke! Edited September 16, 2008 by Steve9347 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Back when I was a kid, I went to an SIU vs. ISU baseball game. The son of our friend played for SIU. Fisk was there watching his son pitch. His son was getting shelled. Everyone we were with was telling me to go get Fisk's autograph as he was walking his little dog. I was scared so I pupped out. Someone in the SIU dugout gave me a ball to get signed but I was still scared. Next to us were a bunch of ISU girls watching the game, the game was in normal, and one took my hand and dragged me to go get his autograph. She felt sorry for me. He was very nice, signed it, and I have it enclosed in a ball stand on my dresser. I never saw that girl again. Sob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Something I learned in writing the bio was that shot of Fisk waving the ball fair was an accident. The cameraman would have been following the ball but a rat (At Fenway!) distracted him and all he could do is follow the player. That highlight is credited with changing the way TV covers baseball, focusing on the player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 A lot of players could learn a lot from Carlton. I see a lot of the same traits in AJ, just not the God given talent level. He was a guy who could get everything out of his teammates. One of the all-time greats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Fisk was a commander on the ballfield. He just had a presence that drew attention and respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliSoxFanViaSWside Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 The Sander's incident is Fisk in a nutshell. Hard-nosed New Englander who had immense respect for the game. Plus we share the same birthday 10 years apart so I always know how old he is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 I love Fisk. What a stud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipps Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 One time I thought I seen Fisk and I kind of freaked out,I nervously went up to him and said "hey!I was a big fan of your's,you are Carlton Fisk."And he replied "no,who is that?".To this day I dont know if it was Fisk messing with me or if it was really some guy that looked exactly like him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 QUOTE (shipps @ Sep 17, 2008 -> 01:56 PM) One time I thought I seen Fisk and I kind of freaked out,I nervously went up to him and said "hey!I was a big fan of your's,you are Carlton Fisk."And he replied "no,who is that?".To this day I dont know if it was Fisk messing with me or if it was really some guy that looked exactly like him. He use to work out every so often at the gym I go to. I approached him and he was very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 I'll never forget that double tag out at home. I remember having a sinking feeling in my stomach when whoever that was hit the ball to right field. And before you know it we saw a very unusual double play. What an awesome play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipps Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Sep 17, 2008 -> 01:58 PM) He use to work out every so often at the gym I go to. I approached him and he was very nice. OK ,so thats one point for a "not Fisk shipps moment". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.