Marty Walsh Compares His New Role With The NHL To Being The Mayor

Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is now in a position where his passions collide. From 2014 to 2021, he was the city's Mayor, but he's been a Bruins fan forever. Now, Mayor Walsh is sharing how his new role with the NHL Players Association is much like being the Mayor of Boston.

Walsh was a top advisor to President Joe Biden as the Secretary of Labor. Then, Walsh had the opportunity to apply his professional administration skills to hockey. This past February, Walsh officially accepted the role of the Executive Director of the NHL Players Association.

“I am honored to have been selected as the Executive Director of the NHLPA. In accepting this offer, I am committing to do all that I can to advocate on players’ behalf,” Walsh said in a statement, reported by Forbes. “My years of experience in the labor movement and in public life has taught me that the job is never about me. It’s about us. It’s about the people we serve.”

As the second quarter of 2023 winds down, Mayor Walsh discussed his first three months with NHLPA. “This job is more like being the mayor,” Walsh said in an interview with The Associated Press during the Stanley Cup Finals.

Walsh's new role with the NHL allows him to be a trusted advisor, leader, and voice for the players. One of his first plans of action was to get a feel for how the Arizona Coyote players were doing. Due to a failed stadium proposal, the team has to play its second season in the Arizona State University stadium. It only holds roughly 5,000 people.

Moreover, Boston.com reported that Walsh is in a fast-paced environment with the NHLPA. Similar to his approach as Mayor, he wants to make sure the player's voices are heard.

“One thing I’ve learned quickly is that this truly is a union because every player has a different concern,” Walsh said via Boston.com. “And I think it’s important for me to get to know the membership so I can represent them the best I can, understanding the challenges they have.”

Boston Red Sox left fielder Alex Verdugo wears number 99. Closer Kenley Jansen wears number 74. At first glance, you may think these are not typical baseball uniform numbers. The organization has 11 options that are immediately unavailable. The Red Sox retired numbers include 10 players that are forever Yawkey Way legends, and one player who is forever a MLB legend.

The Red Sox first retired a uniform number in 1984. It was #4 which belonged to Joe Cronin, who spent 48 years in baseball. The nod was to honor the fact that Cronin was a player, manager, and executive with Boston. Five days later (May 29, 1984) the Red Sox retired Ted Williams' #9. It would be four years until another number was retired with Bobby Doerr.

In April of 1997 all of Major League Baseball retired #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson.

Walking into Fenway Park you will see banners draped along the outside walls of the stadium honoring each player who has their number retired. You will also see them displayed high above right field inside the park, complimenting the Pesky pole.

So, if you are catching a game this year and wondering why a starting pitcher like Nick Pivetta is sporting #37, it's important to know what his options were to select from. Here are the Red Sox retired numbers.