Beloved Catcher Carlton Fisk Charged With Drunkenly Driving F-150 Into Cornfield

Carlton “Pudge” Fisk, best known for waving his winning home run fair in extra innings of Game 6 during the 1975 World Series, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence last night around 7:30 PM after his F-150 was found with a flat tire in a cornfield in Illinois. The Hall of Fame catcher was reportedly sleeping in the driver’s seat when authorities showed up, and an open vodka bottle was discovered inside the vehicle.

According to TMZ, Fisk refused to take any tests to determine his blood alcohol level. He was transported to a local hospital to receive medical treatment as a precaution, and after his truck was officially impounded, he was released this morning. He should be due back in court within the next few weeks to formally answer the charges against him.

Fisk, who always played the game with a reckless aggression, had some run-ins near the end of his career with his manager for the Chicago White Sox over alcohol. According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Larry Himes once had clubhouse security guards search Fisk and his locker for booze prior to a game. For a long time, that story was fondly passed around baseball circles with a smile, but given what happened yesterday, it doesn’t seem as funny anymore.

I don’t know why Pudge was allegedly drinking at 7 PM on a Monday, but I hope to hell he finds the help he needs. He brought a lot of joy to a lot of baseball fans. He deserves to find some peace during his retirement.