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BY JOSH PERRY (@Josh_Perry10)
Needham resident Frank Malzone, who spent 11 seasons with the Boston Red Sox and was a six-time American League All-Star third baseman, passed away at his home on Dec. 29, according to a notice from the Red Sox.
Malzone played in Boston from 1955-65, stretching between the careers of Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski. He played more than 150 games in seven consecutive seasons, won Gold Gloves from 1957-59, and finished with a career batting average of .274.
He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1995 and spoke with Hometown Weekly when he was invited back to Fenway Park during the team’s celebration of the stadium’s 100th anniversary.
Malzone commented, “It was great to see the fans and how they feel about the players.”
He added with a laugh, “It was a little different from when I played, the house was full! When I played we never won anything and there was no Wild Card and there was the dreaded Yankees who knew how to win things. They won eight out of 11 World Series when I played.”
After his playing career, Malzone stayed involved with the organization as an instructor and consultant during spring training. Despite the many changes around Major League Baseball, he still felt connected to the game.
He said, “Basically it’s the same game. There is no time limit and you have to play until someone wins.”
Malzone was predeceased by his wife of more than 50 years, Amy, in 2006. He is survived by four sons (Frank, Paul, John, and Jim), a daughter (Anne O’Neill), eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
