CANTON, OH – It was 45 years ago in the month of August, when New York Yankee Captain Thurman Munson perished. Residents of Munson’s hometown in Canton, OH do everything they can to keep his memory alive.
With the blessing of the Munson family, the 2024 Thurman Munson Catcher’s Scholarship Dinner was held this week at the DoubleTree Downtown Canton. Event coordinator Steve Fettman has been developing this event for the past four years and watched it grow.
Players like Ron Blomberg, Rich “Goose” Gossage and Tommy John have made their way to this Canton event, where they share stories of their beloved teammate. 1997 World Series hero Mike Torrez, along with bat boy Ray Negron, were this year’s guests.
Munson’s Army includes his high school teammate Jerome Pruitt, who smiles at the mention of Munson’s name. He reminisces about Munson, who was the team’s shortstop, donning on the tools of ignorance to become his personal catcher.
Reminders of Munson are everywhere, from Thurman Munson Stadium to images of the great Yankee inside the Boys and Girls Club of Canton. His gravesite at Sunset Hills Burial Park shows the magnitude of the man who held a high regard for his family.
To Munson’s wife Diana, and his children Tracy, Kelly and Michael, Thurman’s spirit will live on forever, not only through you but his supporters.
The iconic #15 will never be forgotten.
Feel free to comment below and come back tomorrow for Joltin’ Jacob Sternberg.
