1967 was the year of the “Impossible Dream” pennant race in Major League Baseball. In 1967, Yaz won the triple-crown award, the Sox went from last-to-first and reached the World Series, the team consisted of names like Yaz, Williams, Tartabull, Petrocelli, and Scott.

On this day 41 years ago, a young phenom they called Tony C stepped up to the plate in Fenway Park.

Conigliaro was the future of the Boston Red Sox, the youngest player to reach 100 home runs, the man who clobbered 24 HR’s as a 19-year-old rookie, a Revere, MA native, St. Mary’s of Lynn graduate and true a Bostonian. Tony C encapsulated what it meant to be a true Red Sox icon.

It was this faithful day in which the Sox icon’s career was in jeopardy.

Many didn’t know what to make of the result of the at-bat when Conigliaro was struck in the left cheek bone and carried off in a stretcher, especially after a great 1970 season in which he hit 36 HR’s and 116 RBI’s.

In the end, however, damage to his eyesight result in an early retirement and a big misfortune to he and the fans of Boston. He was just 30 years old when he was forced to give up the game he loved.

Let’s honor Tony C today as he was a spark-plug of the memorable ‘67 team and a true Red Sox & Massachusetts hero.

I do wish I was old enough to watch him play.