Athletes and officials react to Pesky's passing

Red Sox players and Boston officials are offering their condolences after the passing of Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky.

David Ortiz @davidortiz
"A very dark day today for Red Sox Nation. A good friend of mine passed away. Johnny Pesky, it was a honor meeting you. R.l.P. -34."

Jon Lester @JLester31
"Just heard we lost one of the good ones today. A great player and an even better man, rest in peace Johnny, thank you for the memories."

Boston Red Sox @RedSox
"The entire Red Sox family mourns the loss of the great Johnny Pesky who passed away today at the age of 92 twitpic.com/aj2q1s"

Jerry Remy (RemDawg) @Jerry_Remy
"Rest in peace Johnny Pesky-he can't be replaced-my condolences to his family-Jerry"

Mike Lowell @mikelowell25
"My prayers go out to Johnny Pesky,a true "man" of baseball. Your stories & attitude always made me smile. Rest in peace. We all love you."

Jacoby Ellsbury @JacobyEllsbury
"Rest in peace Johnny Pesky. You will be missed in the clubhouse and by Red Sox Nation."  

Curt Schilling @gehrig38
"One of my career memories was hugging and kissing Johnny pesky after we won it all in 04, God Rest and God Bless his gentle soul, I miss you."

Former Red Sox Infielder, Lou Merloni said:

"Johnny meant an awful lot to me. He helped me out all the years, the minor leagues into the big leagues, he was always a guy that would hit me many ground balls in practice, and we would talk baseball and we were very close. I saw him at the 100th year anniversary, and you could tell that he was struggling a bit, it's just a sad day because I think he helped out a lot of people who went through that system and that ballpark, and he was just a great man and I’m honored, really to consider him a friend."

Mayor Tom Menino statement

“All of Red Sox Nation mourns the loss of ‘Mr. Red Sox,’ Johnny Pesky.  He loved the game and he loved the fans – and we loved him.  His dedication to the sport and his passion to improve the game through the mentorship of young players will be sorely missed. Our hearts go out to the Red Sox organization and all of Johnny’s family and many friends.”

Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky at the age of 92:

“The national pastime has lost one of its greatest ambassadors today. Johnny Pesky, who led a great American life, was an embodiment of loyalty and goodwill for the Boston Red Sox and all of Major League Baseball. A part of the Greatest Generation and forever one of ‘The Teammates,’ Johnny was a wonderful player who excelled alongside his dear friends Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr and Dom DiMaggio. Just as importantly, Johnny touched the hearts of hundreds of Red Sox players and its legion of fans around the world.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of this special man, whose number six will be a part of Fenway Park forever. I extend my deepest condolences to Johnny’s family, his many friends throughout the game and all the fans of the Boston Red Sox.