Or any old legend, for that matter.
Bill Russell, Larry Bird and Carl Yastrzemski have yet to make the cut. Even Robert McCloskey's Ducklings have a permanent spot in our Public Garden, but does John Havlicek, the all-time leading scorer for one of the most storied franchises in the history of sport, have one? Nope, sorry, Hondo.
Of course, there's the Ted Williams statue outside Fenway Park's Gate B at the corner of Ipswich and Van Ness Streets. But this statue wasn't erected until 2004 — two years after his death and almost 45 years after his final game.
As for other area icons, there's a Doug Flutie statue at Boston College, a Harry Agganis statue at Boston University, and even one for Olympic gold medal winner Harold Connolly outside the Taft School in Brighton. Also, there's the Red Auerbach statue at Fanuiel Hall and, in fact, a Bob Cousy statue in the Commonwealth, but if you want to see it, you need to head west about 40 minutes to his alma mater, Holy Cross.
The once desolate and artless landscapes outside our cherished arenas have recently received well-deserved face-lifts. Bobby Orr was honored this past spring when a statue depicting "The Goal" was unveiled outside the TD Garden. On Wednesday, the Red Sox introduced a second statue at Fenway, named "Teammates." The subjects include Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky and Williams, and it recognizes the camaraderie that these four Red Sox legends enjoyed for over half a century — first as teammates, and then as lifelong friends, as told in David Halberstam’s book The Teammates — Portrait of a Friendship. It, too, stands outside Gate B at Fenway.
So while Celtics fans are rightfully putting up a fight for a Russell, Bird or Havlicek statue within shooting distance to Orr's, and while Foxboro is waiting for Adam Vinatieri to retire so that "The Kick" can be unveiled, Red Sox Nation can ask itself: Which current Red Sox player could be honored with a statue at Fenway Park when his career is over?
Although it's highly unlikely, here are a few ideas for an unveiling in … let's say the year 2050.
An easy answer would be a statue of David Ortiz watching one of his walk-off hits from the 2004 postseason. One of the longest-tenured current Red Sox players, and one of just a few players to have both the 2004 and 2007 rings, a statue of Ortiz pointing to the sky at home plate, or following through on one of his mammoth cuts makes perfect sense.
An interesting homage would be a Dustin Pedroia statue of the second baseman swinging out of his shoes and watching a tall blast find its way over the Green Monster. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound (listed playing weight) former MVP would look great as a bronze 8-footer.
Arguably, the most reasonable piece would be of Jon Lester embraced by Terry Francona as the two teary-eyed men celebrated the southpaw's no-hitter just two years after being diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
And as for the subject of the most ridiculous piece, Jonathan Papelbon, with his Bud Light box crown and all, dancing across the Fenway infield would lighten up any fan's spirits.
So who should it be, Sox fans? Which current Red Sox player could be honored with a statue at Fenway Park when his career is over?
Share your thoughts below. The best comments will be read on NESN's Red Sox GameDay Live or Red Sox Final.
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