Though there was hope that President Barack Obama would ceremoniously kick off the 2009 season with the First Pitch before the Home Opener, official word from the White House came today that being the Leader of the Free World apparently comes with some drawbacks; notably a packed schedule. Currently, the Obamas are in London attending a G20 conference and will spend the rest of the week galavanting about Europe.In his place, the Sox will honor one of their all-time greats, Billy Pierce. It seems appropriate as this season is the 50th anniversary of the Sox's magical run to the 1959 American League pennant. Pierce pitched 13 seasons for the Sox, amassing a career 211-169 record and 3.27 ERA over 18 total years (he spent his first two seasons in Detroit and his last three in San Francisco). He's widely considered to be one of the bigger Hall of Fame snubs; his 119 career ERA+ is tied for 120th all-time and tied with such Hall of Famers like Red Faber, Rollie Fingers, and Bob Lemon and ahead of such Hall of Famers like Warren Spahn (118), Steve Carlton (115), Early Wynn (106), and Catfish Hunter (103).
At any rate, it's nice the Sox were able to turn dissapointment into a very nice gesture for one of the best and classiest players to ever play for the Pale Hose. Pierce embodies all that's good with the Sox, and it will be nice a way for him to celebrate his 82nd birthday, which was actually today.
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