Johnny Pesky Portrait of Red Sox Legend
16″ x 20“, Oil on Canvas, 2018
by Charles C. Clear III
Johnny Pesky is affectionately known as “Mr. Red Sox” for his remarkable six-decade association with the team. His legacy as a player, coach, manager, announcer, special assistant to the general manager, and beloved Baseball Ambassador has made him a true icon in Boston.
Pesky first joined the Red Sox in 1942, playing both shortstop and third base. His career was briefly interrupted by his service in the United States Navy during World War II, but he returned to the Sox in 1946 and played until 1952.
In his first three seasons with the Red Sox, Pesky collected over 200 hits each year. He made history as the first American League player to score six runs in a single game and led the league in base hits for three consecutive years. Additionally, he ranked among the top ten in on-base percentage six times during his career. By the time he retired, he boasted a .307 career batting average from 4,745 at-bats in the Major Leagues.
In 2006, the Red Sox honored Pesky by naming the right-field foul pole “Pesky’s Pole.” In 2008, they retired his #6 jersey to celebrate his 89th birthday and an astounding 61 years of service to the club.
This portrait of Johnny Pesky was created as a study for the Fenway Park Red Sox Mural, which my partner Bonnie Lee Turner and I painted in the fall of 2020. The portrait is based on an old black-and-white photograph, but bringing Pesky to life in color allowed me to capture the warmth and character of his face. Painted on hand-stretched heavyweight canvas over a modified stretcher with a 1½” gallery-wrapped edge, this piece can be displayed with or without a frame.
The vibrant colors and intricate details of this portrait truly bring out the essence of Johnny Pesky. Whether you’re a Red Sox fan or a lover of baseball history, this portrait is a perfect tribute to one of the game’s greats.
Charles C. Clear III
cc@oceanstateart.com