Joe Mooney (groundskeeper)
Joe Mooney | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 6, 1930 Dunmore, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | November 29, 2020 (aged 90) Wakefield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Groundskeeper |
| Notable work |
|
Joe Mooney (September 6, 1930 – November 29, 2020) was an American groundskeeper who worked for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).[1]
Born in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, Mooney began his career as a youngster by serving as a clubhouse boy and assistant groundskeeper from 1948 through 1951 for the Double-A Scranton Red Sox.[2] In the mid-1950s, he was groundskeeper for the Triple-A Louisville Colonels.[3] In the late 1950s, he was groundskeeper for the Triple-A Minneapolis Millers.[4]
He went on to work at D.C. Stadium, later renamed RFK Stadium, during the time that Vince Lombardi coached the NFL's Washington Redskins and Ted Williams managed MLB's Washington Senators; Mooney was hired by the Senators in December 1960.[5] In February 1969, someone stole home plate from RFK stadium, and a UPI photo showing Mooney and a security guard investigating the theft appeared in various newspapers.[6]
Mooney joined the Red Sox after the 1970 MLB season,[7] upon recommendation by Williams to the team's owner, Tom Yawkey. Mooney became the head groundskeeper at Fenway Park and held that post for the next 31 years.[1] In October 1975, he again appeared in various newspapers when Game 6 of the World Series had to be postponed three times, in consideration of rain and the condition of the field at Fenway Park.[8]
During his long stint with the Red Sox, Mooney became a legend at Fenway while contributing in different functions as Superintendent of Grounds, Park, and Maintenance. He was succeeded by Dave Mellor in January 2001.[9] Mooney was given the title of Director of Grounds Emeritus,[10] and was enshrined in the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2012.[11] In 2015, Mooney was inducted into the MLB Groundskeepers Hall of Fame.[12][13]
Death
[edit]Mooney died at his residence on November 29, 2020.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Get Joe Mooney Inducted Into The Red Sox Hall Of Fame". www.facebook.com.
- ^ Abraham, Peter (March 28, 2012). "Schilling, Barrett and Burks among seven selected for Red Sox Hall of Fame". Boston.com.
- ^ "Groundskeepers Meet". Journal & Courier. Lafayette, Indiana. January 13, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Briere, Tom (July 7, 1960). "Gile Homers Pace 10-4 Millers Win". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. 16. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Washington Hires Sheehan". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. December 11, 1960. p. 54. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Stolen Plate". Mansfield News Journal. Mansfield, Ohio. February 23, 1969. p. 34. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Red Sox Pick Boss For Fenway Park". The News Journal. Wilmington, Delaware. September 10, 1970. p. 46. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "All wet!". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. AP. October 21, 1975. p. 20. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Doyle, Paul (May 23, 2001). "He's Found A Field He Really Loves". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. 37. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Sibor, Douglas. "Boston Red Sox: Breaking Down the 2012 Hall of Fame Class". Bleacher Report.
- ^ Abraham, Peter (March 29, 2012). "Select Group". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. C06. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Legare, Andrew (January 15, 2015). "Elmira native inducted into Hall". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. p. C1. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Legare, Andrew (January 15, 2015). "Santarone (cont)". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. p. C2. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Joe Mooney, Red Sox Hall of Fame groundskeeper for three decades, dies at 90 - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com.
Further reading
[edit]- Engley, Hollis L. (May 15, 1994). "Groundskeeper touts time, water for lawn". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 84. Retrieved May 2, 2018 – via newspapers.com.