Gedman honored to play for PawSox Hall of Famer
PAWTUCKET — Rich Gedman thought he was in deep trouble upon learning that Joe Morgan wanted a word with him as the 1980 season for the PawSox neared its conclusion.
This time, the face-to-face meeting between the Triple-A manager and his starting catcher was of the pleasant variety. Earlier in the same season, Morgan had learned that Gedman was one of several players responsible for leaving a hotel room in an untidy fashion. Pawtucket had been rained out for three straight games on the road.
Morgan ended up fining Gedman – Pawtucket’s third-year hitting coach – and his fellow accomplices $50. Naturally, an uneasy feeling came over Gedman upon learning that Morgan wanted to see him again.
When Morgan started to rattle off a bunch of names, Gedman became confused. If another round of shenanigans was afoot, Morgan had the wrong guy.
Turns out Morgan told Gedman that his 1980 campaign would include spending September on the parent club’s roster. It was Gedman’s first exposure to life with the Red Sox, and he’ll never forget the manager who told him to get ready for his major-league debut.
Few people connected to the modern-day Pawtucket Red Sox own the kind of bird’s-eye seat that Gedman does when the subject turns to Morgan, part of the franchise’s second Hall of Fame class along with Mo Vaughn and Carlton Fisk.
Morgan, Pawtucket’s longest-tenured manager at nine years (1974-82), and Vaughn will be at McCoy Stadium on Sunday for an onfield ceremony that’s expected to begin approximately at 1:15 p.m.
“He’s pure New England,” Gedman said. “To do the things that Joe Morgan has done in his baseball life is incredible. Sunday will be a special culmination of everything when he’s inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“At times, Joe was the epitome of optimism. By the same token, there was no mystery with him. He didn’t have to apologize. He believed in what he believed,” Gedman added. “He was always curious as to what you were thinking, saying ‘Let me ask you something.’”
Gedman’s relationship with Morgan isn’t limited to just being managed by Morgan in Pawtucket and later in Boston.
“I actually met him when I signed [with the Red Sox in 1977]. He was one of the first pro coaches I was exposed to. I was 17 at the time, but he trained me as if I was one of the guys,” Gedman said. “I’ll never forget him.”
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One day after experiencing a setback while running the bases, Blake Swihart spent his Friday getting treatment for the left ankle inflammation that’s kept him on Pawtucket’s disabled list since July 5. Earlier in the week, manager Kevin Boles floated the possibility that Swihart could be activated by the end of the week. “We’re going to make sure he’s physically right before we get him back out there. There’s no exact timetable, but hopefully soon,” Boles said. “It’s been a little bit frustrating for him, but it’s about getting him healthy so he can swing a bat.” … Rusney Castillo (left knee tendinitis) took on-field batting practice. The outfielder’s final test will be running the bases, which could happen soon. … Tzu-Wei Lin made his second straight start in center field on Friday. … The PawSox played Friday’s game one under the roster limit with 24 active players. … Sam Travis (stomach bug) missed his second straight game. … Boles said the bullpen is finally in a good spot after being subjected to heavy usage earlier in the week, the result of numerous call-ups and one game where a PawSox starter (Edgar Olmos) was knocked out in the first inning. It got to the point where Boles had little choice but to use a position player in a one-run game. “We’ve given most of these guys a couple of days off,” Boles said. “Now we have the inventory back.” … The series with Norfolk continues Saturday night (6:15 first pitch) with Shawn Haviland (5-6, 4.22) on the mound for the PawSox. … The first 3,000 fans who pass through the turnstiles on Saturday night will receive a Jackie Bradley Jr. bobblehead. The gates at McCoy will open at 4:45 p.m.