When 1967 spring training began, it was obvious early that this camp would be different. A column by Harold Kaese, longtime Globe writer and columnist,is entitled “Sox Training No Clambake”. In the lightly humerous style of the old-school writer that he was, Kaese talks about some issues faced by Dick Williams and the team.
One of these occurred when pitchers Dennis Bennett and Bob Sadowski were fined by Dick Williams for being 25 minutes late for sliding practice. Presenting his column in the form of a “complaint file” from different “fans”, Kaese takes aim at the pitchers: “What’s this about two Red Sox pitchers missing sliding practice by being 25 minutes late? Sliding practice? Who cares how Bennett and Sadowski slide? They’re pitchers and the only time they’ll see first base is when they look over there to hold somebody on. The last Red Sox manager who had the players sliding-Johnny Pesky- didn’t last long.” It was well-known that Pesky’s practice stopped when players objected. It is also known that Pesky- a Sox lifer still alive today in his mid-90’s-got no backing from his GM, the notorious Mike Higgins.
Another issue was Tony Conigliaro’s request to not be forced to stay at the same hotel as the other single players. A photo of Conig is in the column, and it shows a crewcut Tony C looking about two years removed from St Mary’s High School in Lynn, which he was when he first came up in 1964. Tony, whose playboy image was well-deserved, obviously did not want other players to see his late night and early morning companions, and the news reaching Williams. Commented Kaese: “The Conigliaro request has been denied, the Old Professor (another “fan”)was happy to hear, and he will stay at the Haven Hotel along with the rest of the bachelors. This may work as a hardship on the handsome and talented young right fielder, but it reflects a certain staunchness in the character of the new manager, Dick Williams.
One of Dick’s lines was “it’s impossible to work too hard in spring training.” The days of Higgins and Billy Herman were definitely over.
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