Obituary: Bill Monbouquette, Famed Red Sox Pitcher

Photo: Medford Mayor John J. McGlynn and fans at Logan Airport greet Bill Monobouquette after his no-hitter against the White Sox in 1962.

Red Sox Hall of Famer Bill Monbouquette, who once called Medford home, died at Brigham and Women’s Hospital on Sunday at the age of 78, succumbing to a lengthy battle with leukemia.

The record-setting pitcher began his career at Medford High in the 1950s, was recruited to the Red Sox in 1958, and remained with the club throughout a substantial portion of his 11 years as a major league player. His professional highlights include a 1962 no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox, and winning 20 games during the 1963 season. An extensive profile appearing on the Boston Herald website credits him for standing up against racism in the late ‘50s, when non-racially segregated baseball teams were still a controversial idea in the minds of some. He also played for the Detroit Tigers, the San Francisco Giants, and the New York Yankees. The Red Sox Hall of Fame inducted him in 2000.

A feature obituary in the Boston Globe notes that Monbouquette resided in Gloucester at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Josephine (Ritchie) Monbouquette. The couple originally met at Medford High, but Josephine dismissed Bill Monobouquette’s romantic intentions...until they met again at their 40th high school reunion.

“Things happen for a reason,” she said, according to the Herald. “He had to go have his life, and I had to go have my life. And then we got back together and it turns out he was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I was the best thing that ever happened to him.”

Services are scheduled for the Dello Russo Funeral Home Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. More information is available here.