Didn't see this in the news thread. Hope he can get through this and fully recover.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/arti...ized_in_boston/

Unfortunately Yaz retired before I was born and I never got to see him play... and yet like all Red Sox fans too young to have seen him on the field, I feel some connection to him because of all the stories that have been passed down.

Best of luck Mr. Yastrzemski on a speedy recovery.

Got to see Yaz play several times, including "Yaz Day" back in '83. Also met him very briefly. Said he was doing a lot of fishing.

He was my absolute boyhood hero. Get well.

I still have my "Yaz Day" poster and ticket stub. I hope this is nothing to worry about.

Got Yaz's autograph when I was 12 years old (snuck into the players lot)in 1983. He rolled in to the lot in an old car, white dirty t-shirt with a pack of smokes rolled up in the sleeve. He asked me where I came from and made small talk about the Long Island Sound and Southern Ct. He was my childhood hero, and I could barely stand next to him, was weak in the knees. He was just about as nice, sincere and even more than what I had built him up to be. Certainly my favorite Red Sox of all time. Meeting him just cemented all of that and more.

I hope he recovers fully and quickly.

I was lucky enough to be living in Boston, and went to 10 games at Fenway during the Impossible Dream year, 1967. Ted Williams was the best Red Sox ever because of his incredible hitting, and Yaz was the best all around player they ever had. Never saw Tris Speaker play.

Nick Cafardo is reporting that he will undergo bypass surgery...

Still my all-time favorite. Get well soon, Yaz.

Bob G

One of my three faves when I was a kid. And I still have my "YAZ' painter cap Get well soon!

Ive always felt that all the adoration that goes to Ted Williams around here properly belongs to Yaz. It probably wont be recognized until he passes - which is hopefully many years from now. Recent claims Ive heard that a certain recent ex-LFer was better than Yaz make me vomit in my mouth. Yaz was easily twice the player and is ten times the human being that other guy was.

Here's hoping for a quick recovery.

During the 1960s, Yaz was the best left fielder I ever saw. The bigger the park, the better he was. He made some plays in Death Valley at Yankee Stadium that still stick in my mind. And he charged every base hit like he was a shortstop. The young Barry Bonds was a great left fielder, too, but Yaz is still the best that these eyes have seen.

I'm getting the O's telecast on the MLB package tonight so I didn't hear this. But someone posted on SOSH that NESN is reporting Yaz had successful triple bypass surgery tonight. I guess that's good, but it seems that doctors always pronounce after a surgery or procedure that it was a success. Time will tell.But God, I hope he's ok. I own one RS shirt with a name and number on the back and he's it. Seeing that guy play was a privilege. Tom Yawkey once said 8 was the best player he ever had during his time as owner. While some may disagree and say 9 was the best, the point was that this guy was special.

Edit: Now the Globe is reporting it. The Globe has also posted a statement from the Yaz family.

STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF CARL YASTRZEMSKI

BOSTON, MA-- Carl Yastrzemski arrived at Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday after experiencing chest discomfort. After numerous tests and evaluations, it was determined that he needed triple bypass surgery which was performed this afternoon. The surgery was a complete success and he is resting comfortably. We are most grateful for all of the prayers and support we have received.

You really think Chris Carter is that bad of a guy?

But seriously, those of us old enough to remember the Yaz years recall that there was a time when he was pretty reviled. Dick Williams once fined him $500 for not hustling. People thought he was overpaid, that he undercut managers and that he was emblematic of the whole country club atmosphere.

I guess my point is that there's a natural tendency to be nostalgic and remember what we think were the good old days when players played for the love of the game and all that stuff.

FWIW though, yeah, I'd take Yaz as the all-around player over the other guy. I recall Yaz playing out the 1980 season with a busted rib. There were other times he'd be in traction for his back in the morning and at Fenway at night playing in the game. He was proud to wear the RS uniform and wanted more than anything to win a WS here. Manny showed in his last few weeks here that he really didn't give a damn about anyone other than Manny.

I've had two brothers who had bypass surgery. Although the operation and rehab are grueling, the patient is a lot better off now that they have cleared his arteries than when he was walking around with clogged arteries. Yaz was a heart attack waiting to happen and he did the right thing and got to the hospital. Also, the man has smoked his last cigarette unless he's a complete blockhead.

Get well soon Yaz, my family and I wish you a speedy recovery.