FOR JERSEY STREET
Red Sox formally apply for change of address
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Say hello, again, to Jersey Street.
And goodbye to Yawkey Way.
In a move meant to distance the Red Sox from an ugly blot of their history, the team announced it has formally applied to change the name of the street on which it resides in Fenway Park.
The Sox petitioned the Boston Public Improvement Commission to request that Yawkey Way become Jersey Street, by which it was originally known. The Sox said they have the approval and cooperation of all Yawkey Way abutters.
“Restoring the Jersey Street name is intended to reinforce that Fenway Park is inclusive and welcoming to all,” the team said in a statement yesterday.
The commission is expected to consider the name change at a meeting on March 15.
In August, Red Sox principal owner John Henry told the Herald that he was “haunted” by the controversial legacy of prior owner Tom Yawkey, and that he wanted the team to lead the process of renaming the street that has borne his last name since 1977.
The Yawkey Foundation, the charitable group funded by the estate of Yawkey and his wife, Jean, blasted the Red Sox’ decision. The foundation said it was “deeply disappointed” by the move and called it “an action based on a false narrative about Tom Yawkey.”
Yawkey, who owned the Sox from 1933 until his death in 1976, oversaw the club during and after baseball integrated. The Red Sox were the last team to integrate, needing until 1959 to place their first black player, Pumpsie Green, on the majorleague roster. Jackie Robinson Jr., rejected by the Red Sox in a 1945 tryout, broke the color barrier with the Dodgers 12 years earlier in 1947.
The Yawkey Foundation is asking the commission to reject the petition for the name change.
“We urge the commission to consider all the facts concerning Tom Yawkey’s ownership of the Red Sox and the sweep of his life,” the foundation said.
“We are confident that if it does so, it will reject Henry’s petition.”
In August, Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s office said that he was “supportive of this change.” Yesterday officials said Walsh would defer to the ongoing commission process.
The Red Sox said the name change is not intended as an affront to the Yawkey Foundation.
“It is important to separate the unfortunate and undeniable history of the Red Sox with regards to race and integration from the incredible charitable work the Yawkey Foundation has accomplished in this millennium and over the last 16 years,” the team said in its statement.
“The positive impact they have had, and continue to have, in hospitals, on education programs, and with underserved communities throughout Boston and New England, is admirable and enduring. We have the utmost respect for their mission, leadership, and the institutions they support,” the team added.
The city’s rules for changing street names require 100 percent agreement by the abutters on the street that the name should be changed and then what it should be changed to.
There are three abutters with parcels along Yawkey Way: the Red Sox, the D’Angelo family and Samuels & Associates.
Bobby D’Angelo expressed support for Henry’s move early on and Steve Samuels, head of Samuels & Associates, got on board later.