This week in Red Sox History

In 1919, Babe Ruth intentionally missed the boat, the Arapahoe, as his teammates boarded and headed for spring training in the Tampa area. Ruth was in a salary dispute and joined the team several days later, utilizing the rail service. In 1997, the 25 foot Coke bottle was unveiled over the left field wall, remaining to this day. In 1961, Sears purchased a controlling interest in Ted Williams, Inc. John Michael Paveskovich appeared in Salem court to officially change his surname and that of his wife Ruth to Pesky (1947). Babe Didrikson started a 1931 spring training game for the Red Sox in Florida, against the Cardinals. She gave up three runs in the first inning. In 1926, manager Lee Fohl set up a system of warning bells for the bullpen and supplied the pitchers with the signals. Unfortunately, the other players got wind and played a few pranks, such as having pitchers warm up so long they were too tired to enter the game. Adam Hyzdu was traded – again. In 1911, the Red Sox shipped home 25 crates of oranges. Some witty, single women in the shipping area decided it was their chance to meet a ballplayer, so they composed letters “of their intentions” to their desired player. Most of the oranges arrived home to wives and mothers, who were not amused. (Day by Day with the Boston Red Sox, by Bill Nowlin)