Thursday, August 22, 2013

The Man They Call 'Yaz' Turns 74 Years Old

Yaz With Grandson (Eagle-Tribune Photo)
Carl Michael Yastrzemski turns 74 today. Those of us who remember his All-World, Triple Crown performance in 1967 (.326 AVG/44 HRs/121 RBIs) find it hard to think of Yaz as a septuagenarian. We recall the grace he displayed in the field, the powerful swoosh of a swing that produced 452 HRs over his illustrious 23-year career. Faced with the overwhelming pressure of succeeding Ted Williams in left field at Fenway, the Hall of Famer more than met the challenge. There might have been "Yaz Bread" and "Yaz Ford", but there was always simply "Yaz" in the middle of the lineup for The Carmine Hose for his entire career. He might have been born and raised on Long Island, but there was no one who typified New England more than Carl Yastrzemski from 1961 to 1983. We will forever be in his debt. Thanks, Yaz.