South Deerfield’s Chris Harris grew up a Red Sox fan and was raised on Big Yaz Bread. “Yaz was my boyhood hero and I listened to his every at-bat on the radio,” Harris emailed.
Inspired by Yastrzemski’s 80th birthday this week, Harris planted a sign in his yard to honor the legendary left fielder. It includes photos of Yastrzemski’s classic portside swing and mentions his accomplishments — the three batting titles, seven Gold Gloves, 3,419 hits and 452 home runs. It also, of course, wishes him a happy birthday.
Harris has an extensive collection of Yastrzemski memorabilia, and his favorite quote is from his book with Al Hirschberg after winning the Triple Crown in 1967. Yaz writes: “I hope the breaks I’ve had reminds kids of the opportunities that exist for anyone willing to work for them. I did not have things easy. My family worked hard for what we earned, and my brother and I were brought up to appreciate the fruit of that hard work.”
Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera in 2012 is the only player since Yastrzemski to have led the majors in home runs, RBIs and batting average. Keep an eye out for Harris holding his sign on NESN during this week’s Red Sox series against Philadelphia. “I am taking it to Fenway Park on Wednesday for the Red Sox-Phillies game,” he said. “Such a huge New England sports hero who worked so long, so hard, and achieved so much should be honored on his milestone birthday.”
DRIVE League
A pair of free throws by Rob Jones helped Team DRIVE secure a 70-68 win over Team No Name in the DRIVE Men’s League finals at Stoneleigh Burnham High School on Sunday.
It was DRIVE’s second consecutive championship.
Jones scored 23 points for DRIVE. Calvin Bridges IV scored 26 points for DRIVE to lead all scorers.
Leading No Name in scoring was Chris Brown with 20 points with Ben Johnson adding 14 points.
Athol practices
The Athol High School athletic department announced schedules for the first day of fall practice on Thursday. Student-athletes are reminded that they must register on Family ID and have a valid physical (within the last 13 months) on file with the school nurse in order to participate. All practices will take place at the high school, unless otherwise noted.
• Varsity and JV girls volleyball will practice from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
• Varsity & JV/MS field hockey will practice from 3-5 p.m.
• Boys soccer will practice from 3-5 p.m.
• Girls soccer will practice from 5-7:30 p.m.
• Fall cheering will practice from 5-7 p.m. in the gymnasium
• Middle school boys and girls soccer will conduct their first practices on Aug. 28. Times have not yet been finalized.
For more information, please contact Dan Bevis at 978-249-2435 x114 or via email at dbevis@arrsd.org
GHS field hockey car wash
The three-time defending WMass champion Greenfield High School field hockey team will hold a fundraising car wash on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Shell Station on the Mohawk Trail next to China Gourmet.
The money raised will go toward new equipment.
F.C. Babe Ruth
Franklin County Babe Ruth League signups for the Fall Ball Program run Wednesday night from 5-7 p.m.
Registrations will be held at Abercrombie Field in Greenfield. The registration fee is $85 for the first player, then $75 for a sibling.
The league is open to 12, 13 and 14 year olds as of April 30 and is a program for players who wish to extend their summer baseball season and gain experience on a full-size, 90-foot diamond.
Questions can be directed to Tina Crocker at 413-896-8576 and Joe Mignault at 413-774-3876.