Former Sox give Friends big boost
BY STEVE SHEPPARD INDEPENDENT SPORTS EDITOR
They lined both foul lines, eager to see their favorite Red Sox players of old up close and personal. On a clear warm summer evening, islanders were able to

Former Red Sox pitcher Oil Can Boyd, top, was the fan favorite, but it was Bill "Spaceman" Lee, above, who dazzled from the mound.

converse, chat, hobnob and otherwise interact with the heroes of yesteryear as they took on a team of Nantucketers who were rounded up and coached by police detective Tom Clinger.

It was all in fun, and all for a good cause. Over $42,000 was raised for the Friends of Nantucket Public Schools, who will use the money to offset the costs of field trips, supplies, educational materials and other student needs.

With players like Bill Lee, Rick Miller, Sam Horn, Jim Corsi and Rob Woodward on hand, an informal poll was taken to see which star the fans most wanted to see.

"I want to see Oil Can Boyd," said Susan Cary, who had her lawn chair staked out in prime position to the right side of home plate. A little farther down the line, Ted Godfrey also said he wanted to see Oil Can. "Although I took a plane ride with Bill Lee back in the '80s. Joyce (Jaskula) and I were on our way to California, and he was on his way out there to play in a tournament."

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL GALVIN/The Independent

On the bench, former Nantucket High School athletic director Jack Molloy holds a special place in his heart for, who else?, "Oil Can. I always followed his career very closely," he said. "Back in 1983, I worked as director of media relations for the Pawtucket Red Sox and he had played there. It's fun to reconnect with him; he met his wife at Pawtucket."

Another member of the Nantucket softball squad, field hockey coach Lori Moran, didn't hesitate to answer. "I've got to say Oil Can. You have to like people who bring a little strangeness to the game."

Jamie Viera, NHS sophomore and varsity baseball player, was official scorekeeper. Looking out at the former big leaguers, some of whom had retired long before he was born, he said he "hadn't heard about any of them, really, except for Oil Can Boyd."

Even Mike Daly, who accompanied his sons to the game, said, "It has to be the Oil Can," when asked whom he wanted to see.

The Can, who pitched for the Red Sox for eight years and was a member of the 1986 World Series team, didn't disappoint his followers, although he didn't pitch, but instead flashed leather in the infield. Pitching duties went to Red Sox team captain Bill Lee, who fluttered it, tossed it between his legs and, for the last inning, threw from the major league distance of 60 feet, six inches.

At game's end, Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, who last toiled professionally for the Brockton Rox, was told of the fans' assessment. "I appreciate that," he said. "I love it; it's for the people."

And before he could say more, the autograph seekers were

upon him. I