Johnny Pesky became a Red Sox legend not so much for his eight years playing for the club, but for his lifetime association with the franchise as one of its most beloved figures.

For generations of Red Sox players, Pesky was a source of baseball knowledge. Here, Manny Ramirez gave Pesky a bear hug at spring training in 2002.

Pesky, whose No. 6 was retired in 2008, served as a player, coach, manager, broadcaster, special adviser, and goodwill ambassador for the Red Sox, with whom he started in 1942.

In April 2005, Red Sox owners bestowed a World Series ring on Pesky after the team ended its 86-year title drought.

Pesky, with fellow Red Sox legend Dwight Evans, was one of the team's honored guests at Fenway Park's 100th anniversary in April 2012.

Pesky served as an adviser to Red Sox coaches and players, including Roger Clemens, for many years.

Pesky became a fixture at spring training, where he worked with young players. Here, he conferred with Nomar Garciaparra in 1995.

Pesky, right, with Ted Williams, left the Red Sox after his rookie season to spend three seasons in military service. He returned in 1946 and led the team in hits in three straight seasons.

In 2005, Pesky lost his wife of 60 years, Ruth. “She was a hell of a gal,” he said of her.

In 2006, as the Red Sox celebrated Pesky's 87th birthday, they officially named the right field foul marker "Pesky's Pole."

Pesky, who hit thousands of fungoes to Red Sox players over his decades with the team, will likely forever be linked as one of the faces of the franchise.