Joe Mooney (groundskeeper)

Joe Mooney (September 6, 1930 – November 29, 2020) was an American groundskeeper who worked for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).^[1]

Born in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, Mooney began his career as a youngster by serving as a clubhouse boy and assistant groundskeeper from 1948 through 1951 for the Double-A Scranton Red Sox.^[2] In the mid-1950s, he was groundskeeper for the Triple-A Louisville Colonels.^[3] In the late 1950s, he was groundskeeper for the Triple-A Minneapolis Millers.^[4]

He went on to work at D.C. Stadium, later renamed RFK Stadium, during the time that Vince Lombardi coached the NFL's Washington Redskins and Ted Williams managed MLB's Washington Senators; Mooney was hired by the Senators in December 1960.^[5] In February 1969, someone stole home plate from RFK stadium, and a UPI photo showing Mooney and a security guard investigating the theft appeared in various newspapers.^[6]

Mooney joined the Red Sox after the 1970 MLB season,^[7] upon recommendation by Williams to the team's owner, Tom Yawkey. Mooney became the head groundskeeper at Fenway Park and held that post for the next 31 years.^[1] In October 1975, he again appeared in various newspapers when Game 6 of the World Series had to be postponed three times, in consideration of rain and the condition of the field at Fenway Park.^[8]

During his long stint with the Red Sox, Mooney became a legend at Fenway while contributing in different functions as Superintendent of Grounds, Park, and Maintenance. He was succeeded by Dave Mellor in January 2001.^[9] Mooney was given the title of Director of Grounds Emeritus,^[10] and was enshrined in the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2012.^[11] In 2015, Mooney was inducted into the MLB Groundskeepers Hall of Fame.^[12][13]