Baseball Great Carl Yastrzemski Hospitalized

BOSTON — Baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski has been hospitalized in Boston for what his spokesman called something "serious."
The spokesman, Dick Gordon, would not give any details or say when Yaz had been admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital.
When asked if it was serious, Gordon said: "Any time you are in the hospital, it's got to be pretty serious."
The 68-year-old Yastrzemski was baseball's last player to win the Triple Crown in 1967 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Most people don't know that he went to Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship.

My early-childhood hero...

Mr Triple Crown

Far and away my all-time favorite professional athlete.


8

didn't he smoke like a chimney? Maybe lunch cancer..

amazing how out of shape athletes were back then compared to now.

Brock Landers said:

didn't he smoke like a chimney? Maybe lunch cancer..

amazing how out of shape athletes were back then compared to now.

Click to expand...

I know he did anti-smoking ads for the American Cancer Society.

'Outfielder Carl Yastrzemski star in American Cancer Society ads proclaiming "I don't smoke cigarettes." '

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,840093-3,00.html

Looks like he might have picked it up again later in life?

"Making a great play in the field always meant as much to me as a hit. I miss that," says Yaz, taking a deliberate drag from an omnipresent cigarette (he claims he never inhales).

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922975-4,00.html

Brock Landers said:

didn't he smoke like a chimney? Maybe lunch cancer..

amazing how out of shape athletes were back then compared to now.

Click to expand...

Fucking lunch cancer... that's the worst.

[taken from another forum]

Pre 1967, it was all about "the promise" of Carl Yastrzemski. I remember well Yaz winning the 1963 batting title, but I also recall him dogging after balls in left field, gesturing to fans, and being accused of lacking passion (sound familiar?) especially by my Boston Braves-loving father who called him a stool pigeon for "Uncle Tom" and "a typical American League player". That reputation would even carry into the 1967 season when White Sox skipper Eddie Stanky would label Yaz, "An all-star from the neck down." In the eyes of most Boston fans, especially after the emergence of local hero Anthony Richard Conigliaro, Yaz seemed like an afterthought.

The Summer of Love, 1967, changed all of that in a hurry. Carl's relentless off-season work with trainer Gene Berde chiseled him into a Greek God. His impossible catch of Tom Tresh's line drive in the ninth inning of the legendary Billy Rohr game at Yankee Stadium showed us all that he now cared. He emerged as the best, most relentless player in the big leagues as the season unfolded. While many remember his prowess as a hitter that year, his earlier indifference as a fielder was forever a thing of the past. In the end, Yaz's masterful play in left field was forever cemented as a result his exemplary performance in the outfield in 1967. After Conig was tragically struck in the face by Jack Hamilton, Yaz seemed to pick up his game to Everest-like heights; his comprehensive play over the last six weeks of the improbable season was nothing less than the best sustained stretch of any player that I have witnessed in forty-five years of watching professional baseball. I probably saw Yaz play in person over three hundred times in total, including his astonishing performance in the last game of the 1967 season, and his two-homer game against the Cardinals in Game 3 of the '67 Series. While I would follow him on a game-by-game basis over the course of the next sixteen years his singular performance during the Impossible Dream season would define him for me as a Red Sox fan.

That is not to mean that I don't remember the negative, inlcuding his somewhat bizarre follow-up in 1968 when he literally swung for the fences with a gale-force that reminded me of Earl Wilson at the plate. This invairably caused him to be booed mightily by a Fenway crowd who had previously appreciated him going to left field or up the middle whenever necessary during the magical '67 season. I actually remember seeing Yaz hit two homeruns sandwiched by three strikeouts in a game that year in which he wore cotton in his ears in order to block out all of the booing.

Still, we clung to him anyway; after all, the colors that he lit for us in '67 had created a new universe called Red Sox Nation - and he was its patriarch. As the years advanced, I relished his brilliant rob of a sure Johnny Bench homerun in the 1969 All Star Game in Washington, his last great stab at a batting title when the mercurial Alex Johnson beat him out by less than a point when the gutless Angels slugger took himself out a game in the third inning while Yaz played on, and Carl's back problems that began to beset him the following year, causing him to achieve his lowest batting average of his career.

The same kind of heroism that we had all witnessed in '67 peaked through the storm clouds again in the last month of 1972 when Yaz attempted to lead the Boston Nine past the mighty Detroit Tigers for the American League Eastern crown. In the key game of that season, an absolutely heartbreaking loss to the Tigers at the Stadium, Luis Aparicio stumbled over third base after Carl's laser went over Mickey Stanley's head, costing Boston either a tie or a win. The headline in The Globe the next morning said it all: "Yaz Weeps as Sox Fall".

Carl Yastrzemski eventually left the Olympic heights of his prime and entered the domain of the chiseled veteran; he repeatedly represented Boston in a series of All-Star Game losses while adjusting to playing first base. I was there at the Fens in the summer of 1974 when Jim Rice made his major league debut; Yaz wore a first baseman's glove that day for one of the very first times. A year later, the glow from the Red Sox fire came from the combined forces of "The Gold Dust Twins", Pudge Fisk, Rooster Burleson, Luis Tiant, and Rick Wise. Nevertheless, Yaz was "Captain Carl" (thanks to Jim Woods continually calling him that on the air) and all was finally right with the world. Number Eight even experienced a mini '67 Renaissance during the 1975 ALCS - his seamless play both at the plate and in the field, especially in Game 3 at Oakland - will never be forgotten by Sox fans who lived through those unforgettable times. Even today, I can still hear Possum Wood's memorable call on a bullet hit by Reggie Jackson in which he barked out the summary of the play after it happened: "Captain Carl Yastrzemski as in days of yore - leading the troops again as he dived and stopped the ball and threw a strike to Rick Burleson who tagged out the surprised Jackson!"

The years began to whirl by like shuffling cards but Yaz continued to show up and play, season after season. When he won his first batting title, I had been a second grader; in '67, I was a seventh grade student at Wellesley Junior High; in 1975, I watched the World Series amidst fall practice at Jacksonville University where I was pitching for one of Carl's old teammates, Jack Lamabe. In 1978, I found myself in North Florida working as a printing broker as the season began. By the end of July, I had quit work down there and had returned home jobless because I had wanted to be in Boston when the Red Sox won it all. I was in the bleachers for the infamous playoff game against the Yankees where Yaz played once again like a God, striking a first inning homerun off of Ron Guidry and a clutch single in the seventh off of Goose Gossage before popping out with the winning runs on base with two out in the ninth. Thirty minutes later in the Red Sox clubhouse, Yaz, once again in tears, was visited by Reggie Jackson. The future Hall of Famer slowly approached Carl and put his arms around him. “Captain," exclaimed Jackson, "you're the best, you're the best I've ever seen." George Steinbrenner later said in the Yankees' locker room, "Yaz made me proud today to be an American." When he slowly walked to his car in the Red Sox parking lot, Cliff Keane wrote, "For the first time in his life, Carl Yastrzemski looked old."

A year later I was at the Fens when he hit both his 400th homerun and his 3000th base hit. As many of you remember, it seemed to to take a lifetime for Yaz to go from 2,999 to 3,000, but like everything else in his career, he gutted it out and somehow made it happen. In the top of the eighth inning of his 3,000th game with two outs in the inning, Bucky Dent (of all people) popped a ball high into the stands on the first base side which I caught - the only game ball I ever nabbed in all of my years attending games there. Dent got out on the subsequent pitch on a grounder. The next pitch in the game? Yaz's 3000th hit. I still have the ball - a Bucky Dent foul that could have been Yaz's 3000th hit. What I most remember that night, however, was how Reggie Jackson cradled the ball in his hands in right field, ran in with it, and then gave Yaz a hug and presented him with his 3000th hit. When George Scott, who was playing out his career with the Yankees, came over and gave Yaz an extended hug, all of us who had witnessed the Impossible Dream season firsthand had tears in our eyes.

Over the next few seasons, Yaz began to regularly receive standing ovations from the Fenway faithful. The bookends of pluck and perseverance had enabled him to continue playing into his forties, and many Sox followers like me began to realize that we had marked the time to our own lives by a player who had worn a red number eight on his back for all of these years. I had season-tickets then; I remember watching Carl peak out of the dugout on cold days, sneaking another cigarette near the runway before grabbing a bat and slowly walking towards the batting circle. There was something both fragile and poignant about his declining years. He was nearing the end, yet all of us were in denial. After one game in '81, I remember listening to Sinatra's "The September of My Years" as I pulled onto Brookline Avenue. I immediately thought of Yaz as I headed for Route 9.

Life, however, moves on, and as I began my third year as a teacher, I gave up my tickets and moved to London where I began teaching at the American School. In the middle of that school year, however, I made reservations to come back to attend the 1983 Opening Day, realizing that it would be Yaz's last in a Red Sox uniform. Twenty years before, I had seen my first Red Sox game against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway. As I entered Gate A with my father two decades later, we would both see Carl for the last time. Because Dad was in failing health, it would also be the last major league game he would ever attend. When Yaz was introduced to a soaring ovation - even the Royals players clapped - tears began to roll down my cheeks.

I left my childhood behind me at that moment.

His daughter went to my high school, one year older. I never met her.

I had the chance to walk up to him with no one around outside at my sisters graduation who was in her class. But I was too shy.

I got his autograph at a Red Sox-Rangers spring training game in Pompano Beach in 1981. I still have the ball.

Back in the 60s, 70s and early 80s it was almost impossible to be a Red Sox fan without being a Yaz fan and I was no exception. I wish him a speedy rcovery.

Cigaretts are responsible for the death of millions, some of which are ballplayers, one that comes to mind is Roger Maris. Anyone who has seen the movie "61" the story of the home run title race between Maris and the late Mickey Mantle that year will see actor Barry Pepper playing the 61 home run hitting Maris smoking in almost every scene that he wasn't actually playing baseball in.



Maris was just one of millions that brands like Camel, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall caused them to reach an early grave.

I just hope Yaz is not another casualty anytime soon.



wil.

thats actually sort of like what I remember. it was during graduation, maybe I went to the bathroom or something, because if I remember right, Carl Yastrzemski was sitting by himself smoking a cigarette. Not outside, but outside the auditorium. I saw him and I went into awestruck mode, didnt walk up to him.

If you grew up in Boston in the 70's, there aren't words to describe what Yaz meant to the city. He probably hung on for a few too many years, but he was strong during the middle of his career. Hate that he made the final out of the '75 and '78 seasons.

Fishhead said:

Far and away my all-time favorite professional athlete.


8

Click to expand...

Had you pegged for Bobby Orr.....

My hero growing up. I was 10 years old in 1967 and he was Babe Ruth reincarnated as far as I was concerned. Saw him play probably close to 200 times in my life. Tough day for me when he retired but it was time. Hope he is ok.

Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski will have to undergo heart bypass surgery because of a blockage in one of his main arteries, a source with knowledge of the situation told the Globe's Nick Cafardo.
To read more, visit http://www.boston.com

asufan550 said:

Fucking lunch cancer... that's the worst.

Click to expand...

:lolBIG:

Yastrzemski undergoes heart bypass surgery in Boston

Associated Press


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<!-- end story header --> <!-- begin left column --> <!-- begin page tools --> Updated: August 19, 2008, 8:55 PM ET

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<!-- end page tools --> <!-- begin story body --> <!-- template inline -->BOSTON -- Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, the last player to hit for the Triple Crown, was resting comfortably Tuesday night after having triple bypass heart surgery.
Yastrzemski, who turns 69 on Friday, had the operation at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he underwent tests after experiencing chest pains in the morning, said his spokesman, Dick Gordon.
"He just got out of surgery, had his triple bypass and is resting comfortably," Gordon said at about 8:30 p.m. "The operation was a success."
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Carl Yastrzemski was the last player to win the Triple Crown, leading the AL in batting average, homers and RBIs in 1967.


The popular Yaz was an 18-time All-Star and spent his entire career with the Boston Red Sox, taking over left field for Ted Williams in 1961 and playing through 1983.
In 1967, Yastrzemski helped revitalize the flagging franchise during the "Impossible Dream" season when the Red Sox went from ninth place in the 10-team AL in 1966 to the World Series, where they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.
And all over New England that summer, kids tried to imitate his unique lefty batting stance, with the bat held high over his head.
With calls of "Yaz" echoing around Fenway Park, he won the Triple Crown that year, hitting .326 with 44 home runs and 121 RBIs. Behind the AL MVP, the Red Sox won their first pennant since 1946, but lost the World Series in Game 7.
Yastrzemski was elected to the Hall on the first ballot in 1989. He has often shied away from celebrity and rarely made public appearances, but drew a big ovation when he threw out the first ball before Game 1 of last year's World Series, won by Boston in a four-game sweep over Colorado.
Yaz finished with 452 career home runs and 1,844 RBIs. He had 3,419 lifetime hits and batted .285. He also won seven Gold Gloves, expertly playing the caroms off the Green Monster.
Yastrzemski is one of five former Red Sox players to have his number retired by the team. His No. 8 is painted on the facing of the right field grandstands at Fenway, along with those of Williams, Carlton Fisk, Bobby Doerr and Joe Cronin.
Boston manager Terry Francona remembered when Yastrzemski visited spring training camp in Fort Myers, Fla.
"He came over for a couple of weeks a couple of years ago," Francona said before the Red Sox played Tuesday night at Baltimore. "I was glad he did it. It was kind of an honor for us."
Former Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer, another Hall of Famer, faced Yastrzemski more than any batter. Yastrzemski's 197 plate appearances, 169 at-bats, 41 hits and 13 doubles where more than any other player had against Palmer, who held him to four homers, 21 RBIs and a .243 batting average.
"He could do everything," Palmer said Tuesday. "He could run the bases. He could hit for average. He could hit for power. He could hit your best pitch and he could hit your worst pitch. ... I just tried to keep the ball in the ballpark against him. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't."
Palmer allowed what would have been Yastrzemski's final homer, but it was erased when the game was rained out.
Current Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy was one of Yastrzemski's teammates.
"I don't think he became the most talented of the Hall of Famers, but no one outworked him," Remy said. "Up until the day he retired, he wanted to be the best. ... He spent hours and hours and hours hitting."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

All die hard *true* Yankee fans appreciate and respect everything Yaz did for baseball and the Sox
Genuine all around good guy as well who does not deserve this.

Tip of the NYY cap Yaz's way for everything he has done, and best wishes for a full recovery.