THE SIDELINES : Mourners Remember Conigliaro

Friends and family gathered today at services for Tony Conigliaro, the former Red Sox outfielder who died at 45 Saturday of pneumonia and kidney failure eight years after suffering a near-fatal heart attack that had left him an invalid.

Conigliaro was remembered for his immense hitting talent and ability to rebound from injuries. The beginning of the end of his baseball career occurred on Aug. 18, 1967, at Fenway Park when he was hit in the face by a pitch from Angels pitcher Jack Hamilton.

“Tony touched us in his own way, in his own loving way, in his ability in sports. And we are here to return that love that he gave us, and for sharing the opportunity to recall his significance in our lives,” the Rev. Dominic Menna said.

The mourners included former teammates Dick Radatz and Mike Andrews; Johnny Pesky, Conigliaro’s first manager with the Red Sox; current manager Joe Morgan; and former Massachusetts Gov. John Volpe. The pallbearers included former teammates Rico Petrocelli and Luis Tiant.