Start with the Green Papaya Salad

[BroodsSexton]

I was inspired by the Pedro thread, because I was thinking that one thing that made Pedro so great to watch was his personality on the mound, and that I’ve remained a fan because outside of baseball he seems like a decent person. A colleague met him a while back and said he’s a genuinely nice famous guy—that he actually engages, and talks, and seems curious about fans and the world around him. So bonus points for that, for sure.

Anyways, it got me thinking: if you could have one Red Sox and one broader MLB player over for dinner, speak their language, get them to open up, and get to know them over the evening—who would it be? I mean, I probably would have picked Pedro for former Sox player. Though I’m sure there are others who would be fun to get to know, and hilarious to hang out with. But the international component, the history, the perspective, and the fact that he seems like a nice funny guy (hell, maybe we’d become golf friends or something) makes Pedro an attractive if obvious choice.

In broader MLB? I think I’d want someone from a different age who would have a different perspective on the relationship of the game to the world. I really don’t know enough to know who the interesting personalities would be (which is why I started the thread…) I mean, Jackie Robinson is another obvious interesting choice — but what was his reputation as a personality? Would he be cool to have over for dinner? Like, I want it to be an interesting evening, not just have a famous person at the table. Someone here must know who I’m looking for.

Who are the great dinner guests in Sox and MLB history?

 

[ookami7m]

Pedro and it isn't close.
Pedroia or Ortiz probably if one of you were to beat me to the punch with Pedro.
Historically on the Sox I'd have really loved to talk with Pesky or Ted just for the stories alone.

 

[Scott Cooper's Grand Slam]

I mean, Jackie Robinson is another obvious interesting choice — but what was his reputation as a personality? Would he be cool to have over for dinner?

Jackie's autobiography, I Never Had it Made, is worth reading if you'd like some insight into his poersonality and storytelling circa 1972. If Pedro ever published Wake Up the Damn Bambino I'd buy copies for everyone on my holiday shopping list.

 

[mwonow]

Pedro, Ortiz, and Pedroia would be great to talk with. Reaching back aways, Bill Lee, too.

Players from other teams? Maybe Moe Berg? Buck O'Neill?

 

[jose melendez]

Bill Lee was my first pre 2004 thought.

Worst? Curt Schilling. Maybe Pinky Higgins.

 

[YTF]

Pedro, Ortiz, and Pedroia would be great to talk with. Reaching back aways, Bill Lee, too.

Players from other teams? Maybe Moe Berg? Buck O'Neill?

Bill Lee was my first pre 2004 thought.

Worst? Curt Schilling. Maybe Pinky Higgins.

I was about to post something similar. 30+ years ago a friend of mine used to put on small baseball card shows at the ITAM in Pittsfield, MA. I would normally go and help man his table while he was out and about running the show. He had Bill Lee as an autograph guest one time and he was great. He had time for everyone and just loved talking baseball. After the show, Lee was still hanging around. I commented to him about his enthusiasm for the game and he said, "Fuck, I love this game. I'll probably play baseball until the day I die." All these years later at 76 years old he's still getting out there as a member of the Savannah Bananas.

 

[Ramon AC]

Bill Lee pitched 1 scoreless inning and went 1-2 with a walk and a HBP for the 2023 Burlington Cardinals. Who plunks a 76 year old man?

FWIW Mayor Weinberger hit .313.

 

[Pedroia's Itchy Nose]

Are we allowed to pick another Red Sox for our all-MLB player? If not, can I cheat and pick Pedro on the Mets? Do the two baseball players automatically get to speak each other's languages too?

For me it'd be really difficult to choose between Pedey, Papi, and Pedro.

If allowed to choose Pedro on the Mets and the players get to speak fluently with each other I'd pick Pedey and Pedro.

If allowed to choose Pedro on the Mets but the players don't get the languages, I'd go Papi and Pedro.

If not allowed to choose Pedro on the Mets I'd go with Pedro and Papi.

I think no matter what I choose there's a good chance my wife doesn't survive the night due to laughing herself to death.

 

[clueandaprayer]

Luis Tiant with Lee a close second

 

[TeddyBallgame9]

Teddy Ballgame and Babe Ruth. Just imagine an evening of that conversation.

 

[chrisfont9]

Luis Tiant with Lee a close second

Looie would be very high on my list. Fred Lynn seems like a great hang, as does Bruce Hurst. Youk and Bogaerts among newer guys.

 

[Spud]

Cool thread. I'll go with Brock Holt for my Sox player and Roberto Clemente for my non-Sox player. I've always admired Brock's charitable work, especially with the Jimmy Fund. And Clemente was my hero when I was a kid (a long time ago).

 

[tims4wins]

I’d probably pick Tito over Pedro, Papi, or Pedroia to be honest. Because he could speak to all of them.

 

[Ale Xander]

Pedro, easily

But Jim Lonborg, if he would clean my teeth after the dinner, would be second.

 

[Red Straw Hat '42]

Ted and Satchel. Ribs, beer.

 

[BrandyWhine]

Pedro, easily

But Jim Lonborg, if he would clean my teeth after the dinner, would be second.

If you get to have dinner with Jim, before he starts cleaning your teeth, please ask him what the bleep was he thinking of when he went skiing in December 1967?

 

[KingChre]

I had the privilege of spending some time with Pedro at an event a few years ago. It was a small gathering and I can personally attest that he is in fact nice, engaging and a lot of fun.

 

[c_clgh71]

This is a great exercise! Since a lot of you picked Pedro, I'm going a bit off the map. My Sox pick is Jarrod Saltamachia. I realize he isn't close to being included on your lists. But, I work for a company who's product he purchased. We get a lot celebrity's buying our products but rarely do they do it themselves. It's usually a spouse or an assistant. I had the pleasure of speaking with him several times. I needed some dimensions to further along his purchase. I was expecting numbers but instead got a picture of the area with him prominently standing in it. That cracked me up. He would be a great dinner guest. My non sox pick - Ken Griffey JR. His smile was infectious and he was so easy to root for.