Yaz Says Goodbye - Carl Yastrzemski Retires - October 2, 1983

On October 2, 1983, the curtain came down on the 23-year Major League career of Carl Yastrzemski. An 18-time All-Star, winner of 7 Gold Gloves, with more than 3000 hits and 400 home runs, Yaz is considered by many to be the greatest living Boston Red Sox player.
This video takes us through his final at-bat and his memorable farewell lap around the Fenway track. Ned Martin and Bob Montgomery have the call for TV 38, with future NESN commentators Jerry Remy, Jim Rice and Dennis Eckersley in uniform on the field and on the bench.

[@markveals2915]

As a diehard Yankees fan, it's difficult to admit that Yaz was one of my all-time favorite players as a kid watching a ton of baseball starting in the early 1970s. I was keeping score at home on 9/12/1979 when he got his 3000th hit against us. I mailed the scorecard to the team, he signed it and I received it back - I still have that scorecard.

[@KQwest98]

proof?

[@writerconsidered]

As a Sox fan from the same era its easy to like Yaz as a Yankee fan. You didn't have worry about him ruining your games. You were always trouncing us in the Eastern division. We had to wait till 2004 to trounce you guys back for 4 of the greatest games ever played.

[@felixmadison5736]

I have his final year (1983) Strat-O-Matic card signed by him. I met Yaz, Luis Tiant, Rico Petrocelli, and sports attorney Bob Wolfe at a dinner for Captain Carl at Dunfeys Resort in Hyannis, Ma. It was August of 1984.

[@felixmadison5736]

I grew up a diehard Red Sox fan, but Mantle and Ford were two of my baseball heroes growing up.

[@TheBatugan77]

Get in the batters box already! Psssh.

[@paulabarrows7023]

After 23 seasons, Yaz deserved every bit of this adoration

[@felixmadison5736]

Carl Yastrzemski...The man we call Yaz!! Now number 8 is at the plate...And now he hits one out! 1967 was magical and so was Yaz!! I was 18, and my first taste of 'pennant fever'!! MAN, WAS THAT A GREAT TIME!!

[@michaelrosa2015]

Sign of a now-bygone era. BoSox starting pitcher, Al Nipper, pitched a complete game on this day. It took an astounding 147 pitches.

[@Marty1959]

This was a sad day to see you retire carl yastrzemski you are my all time favorite baseball player

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

Mine too

[@notbraindead7298]

There was a level of class in Carl Yastrzemski that is rarely seen in today's players. The fans loved him, and rightly so.

[@SWog617]

That was the first time I cried watching sports... Yaz was my childhood hero.

[@tommcdonough6086]

Legend, I started playing baseball a 8 years old and was a lefty. YAZ was my hero as well.

[@WendelltheSongwriter]

Tony c was mine, so you know how many times I've cried

[@glennwinter2197]

@@tommcdonough6086 mine too Yaz forever .

[@karlschneider9479]

My holy trinity of sports idols here was Yaz, Orr and JoJo White!

[@karlschneider9479]

​@@WendelltheSongwriterIf we had Tony C in the 67 series we might have won!

[@kevincurtis6550]

It will be nearing 40 years ago (October 2 ,1983) that Yaz retired.Thanks for uploading. My all time favorite Red Sox player. The great #8.

[@zekelucente9702]

I grew up an Angels fan and I still am, but I loved Carl Yazstremski and I’ll never forget the 1975 WS. It solidified my love for baseball. I love the fact that his grandson Mike has made a nice career for himself with the Giants and I loved seeing him hit a home run at Fenway. Baseball is simply a great sport with so many storylines and so much drama.

[@Davidtibi4353]

In 1967, I was 12,..that was Yaz’ greatest year, he won the Triple Crown and it was the Impossible Dream year,…I can say for certain, the summer of 67’ was the longest and best one in my youth! Yaz was Superman

[@jonkline709]

Was 12 also a fantastic year yaz bread

[@BuckScott-r1k]

I think it was about 45 years another triple crown winner.

[@Davidtibi4353]

Miguel Cabrera I think? I forget what year.

[@karlschneider9479]

If we had Tony C in the 67 series we might have won same goes for 75 as Rice missed that with a broken wrist.

[@devilzdandruff9199]

This man is all class. A true legend.

[@jimmyz2098]

What a player! And what a class act. I'm a Yankee fan... since my Family got off the boat from Scotland.... and settled in NY. I got all the stories of Yogi (another great #8) and DiMaggio as a Kid. And I can honestly say... that Yaz is one of my all-time favorite baseball players. What a class act, and an amazing ball player. I can only remember his last few years. But I love Yaz. Got some cool auto'd memorabilia too.

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

Hootman! Hootman!

[@felixmadison5736]

My brother-in-law and I were at that game and I'll never forget it! Yaz was playing left field, and when he made a strong throw to home plate (like in his prime!) we all stood up and cheered. A bittersweet moment.

[@coverscape]

i enjoy what happened here on Oct. 2 better than "Yaz Day" on Oct 1 ...... because what you saw on the 2nd was SPONTANEOUS

[@robertgrady9020]

Almost 38 years later, I still get chocked up watching him retire. Baseball and the Red Sox were never the same to me until Big Papi showed up.

[@pesco7]

I suppose you're right. The Yawkeys did nothing for Boston baseball except peddle dreams and latent racism.

[@kevink3975]

Hard to believe 40 years ago ! What a player, I wish they would have won in 1967 and 1975

[@russboden5792]

Indeed!...I remember both of those RedSoX teams..., I was 12 in '67 & 21 in '75.

[@sammartinuzzi2996]

I was just about to graduate from college. Yaz was my favorite player throughout my childhood. I listened to his games on the radio. I pretended to be Yaz, with his classic stance, in my backyard playing Wiffle Ball. What wonderful memories.

[@billprovost5635]

I was blessed to see #9 and #8 play the game. Great memories from two great men.

[@hitchinaride1972]

My last year in Little League was 1964. Our uniforms were white with red lettering. I wore number 8 and batted left handed. Watched and rooted for the new players coming up through the mid 60s. Then came 1967, a freshman in high school watched the games that were televised, but the bulk were listened to on transistor radios. Everyone on the edge of their seats for 162 games. The final weekend beat the Minnesota Twins twice and got to the World Series. The cardiac kids gave us their all. A week after the conclusion of the World Series, late October a charity golf tournament was held at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Sutton, Massachusetts. Tickets were sold to the general public. An estimated crowd of around 10,000 gathered to watch Golf Professional Paul Harney, Bob Cousy, Ken Harrelson and Carl Yastrzemski play 18 holes. This kid capped off the Impossible Dream caddying for Carl Yastrzemski that day! I would have done it for nothing but thank you for the generous tip Mr. Yastrzemski. A memory I'll always cherish. Normand Dube Worcester, Massachusetts

[@stevebenton9193]

40 years ago. He's still the most popular player in Red Sox history.

[@felixmadison5736]

Ted Williams and/or Babe Ruth might think differently about that.

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

None of those Sox players are as or more popular than Reggie Cleveland,,, 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@jasonrichard4494]

This is one of my first memories as a child

[@ctpete333]

Well Carl may have been old but the man still could rake into his early 40’s In 1982 yaz hit .275 with 16 HR and 72 RBI’s not a bad year for a part time DH

[@dustinmiller8451]

.323 at the all star break in 83. Turned 44 about a month before this.

[@auntiewewe972]

I remember this day so clearly. I was 10 yrs old. And Yaz was a hero to me. The 83 team had a lot of beloved players on it. Boggs was on his way. Clemens would be there the next year. Watching the Captain jog along the track of the field touching hands I got goosebumps. My first real Sox hero I saw leaving. What a great , great, player, and man

[@NoName-hs3sf]

I live in Michigan and Yaz was my favorite player growing up. I would always be excited to look at the box scores in the paper to see how he did.

[@moparedtn]

The prototype of what a major league ballplayer should be, right there - and the crowds' adoration speaks volumes also. Total class and representative of a respect for the game seldom seen these days.

[@sgtzsquad]

A class act to the end.

[@thetruthissweet2847]

I saw Yaz in Cleveland in September '83 for his last time there. He hit a line drive HR to RF in Saturday game. The crowd gave him a standing O. I went to whole weekend series.

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

That look on his face ... gosh i miss him

[@nathandodge665]

I never saw this. Fitting treatment for the yaz. He's 84 now

[@joemello7888]

My favorite ball player.

[@jameswheeler8622]

Yaz is my favorite player of all time!!!

[@frankmisaege3520]

Saw him in Oakland playing the A's in 1968...believe he went 5 for 6. Whatta hitter.

[@nufcedkidyup8627]

Captain Carl! When he's honored at Fenway, he accepts the appreciation, and is home in N.H. before the end of the 1st inning.

[@moboutmen]

Even Yankee fans choked up on this day. The Mighty Yaz!

[@laff000]

I named my golden retriever after Yaz. His official name is Captain Carls 67 triple crown. I also had the honor of meeting Yaz at an autograph signing in Saratoga Springs. I remember a little boy sitting on his lap as his mother frantically put film in her camera to record the event. A real gentleman and giant of the game.

[@richardnorton2792]

My favorite player. I took my dad to this game.

[@allanbeane3609]

Had seats behind the camera well 3rd base side 2nd row next to Visitors dugout and was lucky enough to get a foul ball hit by Andre Thornton into the Cleveland dugout grabbed by Burt Blyleven. He looked for someone to toss it to and our eyes locked and he tossed it to me. Nobody tried to intercept it cause they turned their attention back to the field. Win for me :)

[@joshuabrooks4907]

Carl Yastrzemski is one of only a few players to be active into their 40's. I believe he was 44 here.

[@paullarue2010]

I was 9, back in 1983.

[@stevengallant6363]

Same

[@Jiltedin2007]

Both Johnny Bench and Carl Yastrzemski not only retired at the same year(1983), but they also got enshrined together(1989) into Cooperstown. Two Hall of Fame Greats who will forever be unforgotten throughout time. Coming from a Red Sox Fan

[@Pdasilva0324]

40 years ago! I had a Yaz #8 short as a very young kid!

[@davidshowmaker4408]

I remember this day!

[@DaleHEmery]

I was there. I called family friend Johnny Pesky that morning and asked if a friend and I could get seats. I didn’t think it was likely, given that the game had been sold out since before the season started, but to my surprise he said, “Sure, come on down.”

[@tommcdonough6086]

LEGEND

[@briandelmore7188]

man, how much I loved baseball back then.

[@rburrows7786]

As a teenager in the 60s I watched Yaz, Rico Petricelli, Longborg, Tony Conigliaro, and so many others. Hard to believe but Yaz salary was $31,000 a year! Today guys that that per inning. Haven’t been to Fenway since 1979, the year I left Boston to move south for good

[@felixmadison5736]

While Yaz was still a senior in high school, the New York Yankees made a pitch. Though not allowed to sign Yastrzemski to an actual contract until after he graduated high school, Yankees scout Ray Garland was still welcomed into the household to talk hypotheticals. He traded bonus numbers with Carl’s father, writing $60,000 on a piece of paper at the dining room table. Carl’s dad wrote out $100,000. Garland reacted dramatically, flipping his pencil in the air and hitting the ceiling as he exclaimed, “$100,000? Are you crazy? The Yankees will never pay that.” The Yankees never got the opportunity, despite even owner Dan Topping becoming involved. The elder Yaz told Garland, “Nobody throws a pencil in my house. Get the hell out and never come back.” That was it for the New York Yankees. Carl's dad sounds like my old man! LOL!!

[@TheBatugan77]

I'm a Yankee fan for life. But good for Pop Yastrzemski. He was right. You don't do that in someone's house! And I went to YS to see Yaz. And sat in LF when I did!

[@felixmadison5736]

@@TheBatugan77 It would have been interesting to see what numbers Yaz would have put up at the old Yankee Stadium.

[@bobbytownsend1868]

I don't know the numbers but he seemed to do well there

[@felixmadison5736]

@@bobbytownsend1868 The short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium. Yaz was a pull hitter.

[@felixmadison5736]

@@TheBatugan77 I'll never forget the catch he made in 1967 at the old Yankee Stadium to keep Billy Rohr's no-hitter alive.

[@robertridley9279]

Makes you realize just how long 36 years is. I just finished watching the video of him and his grandson at Fenway, and he looks much older than you would expect for someone who was playing in the 80s.

[@scottaznavourian540]

That's cause he started playing the year jfk became president

[@E_xe2]

@@scottaznavourian540 lolol

[@brendad3570]

He didnt smile, I suspect-- it was so emotional for him

[@Radiography14]

Number 8

[@petervandenbroeck4183]

As a young kid you would see opposing players that you always wanted on your team. For Yankee fans that was Yaz.

[@generationll]

I was there that Suday 40 years ago.The anouncers are the late Ned Martin & Bob Montgomery

[@KQwest98]

not quite 40

[@archie7186]

only one of those , only once in a life time ,

[@gigg252525]

I'm looking at my ticket stub Game 81, Oct. 02, 1983 Box seat $8.00 Left Box 81 Row C Seats 1,2,3,4 Front row Field Seats right on the 3rd. base Left Field corner. I could touch the field, was that close. I was the car driver. With 3 friends, "Com'on lets go. We have to leave after the 8th. inning. I gotta get to my Lynn City League Bowling League." Missed the 9th. inning, Da.

[@sjh]

Cool. I was there as well. No ticket stub unfortunately that's so awesome that you have that.

[@bobbytownsend1868]

Those youngers are now about 50 years old

[@k.w.1459]

I was there. 😄

[@johnhenrymcmahon6878]

Gotta love my tubesocked hero and Dad right there! Awesome! :) JV Johnny

[@reneramirez1416]

WHEN BALLPLAYERS WERE MEN FOR THE LAST TIME

[@dustinmiller8451]

Imagine today throwing a rookie pitcher 147 pitches lol

[@jjthor407]

YASTRZEMSKI GOES WAY BACK WAY BACK AND DIVES TO MAKE A TRIPZIFIC CATCH !

[@erics2739]

yaz!

[@russboden5792]

Gotta Luv iT! :)

[@JohnLove-q3j]

Yaz all ballplayers should learn what it is to be a professional from him😊

[@professorhamamoto]

Yaz shoulda taken that fourth pitch rather than pop out and leaving a man on base. I stopped following baseball after Yaz retired because the league had become nothing but corporate hype.

[@pesco7]

Versus what beforehand? Bigoted single-owner hype?

[@briandelmore7188]

no chance last at bat you have to swing.

[@karlschneider9479]

Does anybody here remember Big Yaz Fitness Bread?

[@DMRVirtual--David]

Why the hell was he swinging 3-0

[@writerconsidered]

Because he could.

[@TheBatugan77]

Didn't want to walk.

[@scottaznavourian3720]

7:23 😲

[@robertridley9279]

7:21

[@CornPop471]

Pretty much a typical Mike Hargrove at bat

[@willrogan955]

How many inches of rain?

[@crmdy423xx]

Has Yaz passed away? I didn't hear of it yet.

[@felixmadison5736]

No.

[@AEMoreira81]

Still alive at 83. He was 44 here.

[@joequillun7790]

How bout that. A Boston player, who's actually from "Boston". You won't find that anymore. And it'll be a cold day in Hell if I ever return to Fenway, given all the BS the MLB is doing to baseball with their politics ruining the game. Such a shame.

[@felixmadison5736]

Yaz is from Long Island, New York.

[@Jamestown-y9j]

@@felixmadison5736 correct, Oscar, Oscar, Oscar. 🙂

[@joeteixeira5214]

My idol growing up

[@johnmohrman713]

Yaz was my idol as a kid. Triple crown winner and a great all around player.