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Ebersols Remember Son With Field Dedications
From left, Dick Ebersol, Susan Saint James and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy during a ceremony dedicating new athletic fields.
(By Josh Reynolds -- Associated Pres)
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On the day his son would have turned 16, NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol joined Boston dignitaries in a dedication of three baseball fields as " Teddy Ebersol 's Red Sox Fields."
With his wife, actress Susan Saint James , by his side yesterday, Ebersol thanked state officials and the Boston Red Sox for helping honor his son, who died at age 14 in a plane crash in Colorado on Nov. 28, 2004.
"The idea that for the rest of Susan's life, and the rest of mine, we can come here and see children enjoying themselves on these fields is incredible," Ebersol said.
Ebersol, the longtime head of NBC Sports, is an ardent New York Yankees fan. His son was a rabid Red Sox fan. Yesterday, the father paid tribute by donning a Red Sox cap and jacket.
"Other than his driver's license, Teddy would have wanted this more than anything for his birthday," he said.
Dick Ebersol and another son, Charlie, survived the crash of an executive jet during takeoff in light snow, fog and freezing temperatures at Montrose Regional Airport. The fields were built as part of a public-private partnership, with the Red Sox paying the bulk of the costs. Ebersol said his family will donate $500,000 to help maintain the new diamonds.
The project was the brainchild of Red Sox chairman Tom Werner , a close friend of the Ebersol family, who noted that Teddy Ebersol was buried wearing a Red Sox jersey. As recently as a week ago, Werner said, a David Ortiz bobblehead doll adorned the boy's grave in Connecticut.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), for whom the young Ebersol was named, said: "It's his birthday today, and I'm sure he's smiling because his name will be forever linked with the team he loved. Creating these fields is a perfect way to honor him."
ยท RED SOX WASHOUT: The second game of a day-night doubleheader between the Red Sox and Rangers in Fenway Park was postponed because of a long rain delay before the opener.
The teams announced that the game will be made up as the first game of a day-night doubleheader today starting at noon. The regularly scheduled game was moved from 2:05 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The afternoon game, which was the makeup from a rainout on May 13, was scheduled to start at 1:25 p.m., but lingering showers held up the start. The tarp was finally removed about 4:10 p.m., but had to be put back on just before 5 p.m.
Meantime, The Fenway Park PA announcer informed the fans that it was "Free Dog Night" in the second inning. Management offered free hot dogs -- one per person per trip -- while supplies lasted.
-- From News Services
