Red Sox players with Dana-Farber patients

History of Red Sox Partnership

The Red Sox partnership with the Jimmy Fund is the longest-standing philanthropic partnership in professional sports.

The Red Sox and the Jimmy Fund 

Boston baseball has been involved from the very beginning of the Jimmy Fund, and the Jimmy Fund has held a longstanding role as an official charity of the Red Sox. In fact, it is the longest philanthropic partnership in professional sports. The Jimmy Fund Captain program has also been a marker of success, with everyone from rookies to future Hall of Famers getting involved and forming relationships with our patients. To date, the Sox have raised more than $172 million in donations to support Dana-Farber’s mission. 

The Red Sox have made a difference for countless Dana-Farber patients, their families, and loved ones. The team supports the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber for many events, including the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon presented by Arbella Insurance, raising awareness and funds to support Dana-Farber's lifesaving mission. The Red Sox Foundation/Jimmy Fund Massachusetts license plate program also helps raise funds.

“I’m not a doctor. I’m not a nurse. I’m no scientist. I can’t cure cancer. But what I can do is champion for and help raise funds for the people who are those things. What I can do is love on these kids and these families as much as they’ll let me. Support each other. Help each other. Love each other. That’s what we plan to do.” 

Jimmy Fund Co-Chair and former Red Sox player Brock Holt, 2024

Jimmy and the Sox

Together since 1953.

1948

A Partnership Is Formed

The roots of this incredible partnership go back to the founding of the Jimmy Fund in 1948, when members of another Boston baseball franchise, the Boston Braves, participated in the national radio broadcast that launched the charity. A young...

Black and white photo of adults and children watching TV in the 1950s
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Black and white photo of adults and children watching TV

1948

A Partnership Is Formed

The roots of this incredible partnership go back to the founding of the Jimmy Fund in 1948, when members of another Boston baseball franchise, the Boston Braves, participated in the national radio broadcast that launched the charity. A young cancer patient named “Jimmy” asked for a television for his hospital room so he could watch the Braves.

1950s

The Red Sox Adopt Jimmy

The Red Sox adopt the Jimmy Fund as an official team charity in 1953, when owner Lou Perini of the National League’s Boston Braves appeals to Sox owner, Tom Yawkey, to take on the cause after the Braves leave New England. Future Hall of Famer Ted...

Black and white photo of an early Jimmy Fund display at Fenway Park
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Black and white photo of an early Jimmy Fund display at Fenway Park

1950s

The Red Sox Adopt Jimmy

The Red Sox adopt the Jimmy Fund as an official team charity in 1953, when owner Lou Perini of the National League’s Boston Braves appeals to Sox owner, Tom Yawkey, to take on the cause after the Braves leave New England. Future Hall of Famer Ted Williams visits the bedsides of young patients at Dana-Farber and fundraises at cookouts, drive-in movie theaters, and throughout New England.

1960s

Red Sox Players Give Generously

Tom Yawkey erects a Jimmy Fund billboard over the right-field grandstands where it will remain for half a century. In 1967, when the “Impossible Dream” Red Sox capture the American League pennant, team captain Carl Yastrzemski appeals that the...

Black and white photo of 1967 Boston Red Sox team
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Black and white photo of 1967 Boston Red Sox team

1960s

Red Sox Players Give Generously

Tom Yawkey erects a Jimmy Fund billboard over the right-field grandstands where it will remain for half a century. In 1967, when the “Impossible Dream” Red Sox capture the American League pennant, team captain Carl Yastrzemski appeals that the club give a full World Series bonus share to the Jimmy Fund.

1970s

New Players Support Jimmy

The Red Sox rebuild the Green Monster left-field wall after the 1975 season; portions of the old wall are sold to benefit the Jimmy Fund and lifesaving research at Dana-Farber. A new generation of players, including Hall of Famers Jim Rice and...

Black and white photo of Jim Rice playing catch with kids
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Black and white photo of Jim Rice playing catch with kids

1970s

New Players Support Jimmy

The Red Sox rebuild the Green Monster left-field wall after the 1975 season; portions of the old wall are sold to benefit the Jimmy Fund and lifesaving research at Dana-Farber. A new generation of players, including Hall of Famers Jim Rice and Carlton Fisk, emerge as spokesmen, and longtime Sox broadcaster Ken Coleman steps up to the plate as the Jimmy Fund executive director.

1980s

Yaz Gives Shirt(s) Off His Back

Carl Yastrzemski plays his final game at Fenway in 1983. He changes his jersey each inning, and all the jerseys are later auctioned off to benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber. Former Sox second baseman Mike Andrews succeeds Ken Coleman as Jimmy...

Black and white photo of Carl Yastrzemski entering the field at Fenway Park, high-fiving fans
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Black and white photo of Carl Yastrzemski entering the field at Fenway Park, high-fiving fans

1980s

Yaz Gives Shirt(s) Off His Back

Carl Yastrzemski plays his final game at Fenway in 1983. He changes his jersey each inning, and all the jerseys are later auctioned off to benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber. Former Sox second baseman Mike Andrews succeeds Ken Coleman as Jimmy Fund executive director for what will become more than 30 years of leadership.

1990s

“Jimmy” Returns

The ‘90s saw the return of the original “Jimmy,” Einar Gustafson, who came forward after decades of anonymity in Maine. He was a 62-year-old grandfather who had survived his childhood cancer in the 1950s. It was also the time when, in 1992, a day...

Black and white photo of the original Jimmy Einar Gustafson and his grandchildren
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Black and white photo of the original Jimmy Einar Gustafson and his grandchildren

1990s

“Jimmy” Returns

The ‘90s saw the return of the original “Jimmy,” Einar Gustafson, who came forward after decades of anonymity in Maine. He was a 62-year-old grandfather who had survived his childhood cancer in the 1950s. It was also the time when, in 1992, a day for Dana-Farber patients at Fenway was established.

Jimmy Fund Fantasy Day (now called Jimmy Fund Day at Fenway) brings together Dana-Farber patients, fundraising teams, and corporate supporters to live out their dreams of playing on the field at Fenway Park at an annual event.

2000s

A Trophy and a Radio-Telethon

The new Red Sox ownership group led by John Henry, Tom Werner, and team president Larry Lucchino—a three-time cancer survivor treated at Dana-Farber—keeps the connection to the Jimmy Fund alive. The WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon debuts in...

Tim Wakefield with Dana-Farber patients
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Tim Wakefield with Dana-Farber patients

2000s

A Trophy and a Radio-Telethon

The new Red Sox ownership group led by John Henry, Tom Werner, and team president Larry Lucchino—a three-time cancer survivor treated at Dana-Farber—keeps the connection to the Jimmy Fund alive.

The WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon debuts in 2002 and becomes an annual Fenway event that has collectively raised more than $74 million for research and treatment. 

When the Red Sox break through in 2004 and win their first World Series title in 86 years, pitcher Tim Wakefield brings the trophy to Dana-Farber so patients and staff can share in the joy.

2010s

Tradition of Jimmy Fund Captains

The tradition of Red Sox players becoming Jimmy Fund Captains gives many Red Sox legends the opportunity to make a sustained difference for patient care and research at Dana-Farber. Among those players who’ve served since 2010 are Nathan Eovaldi...

Former Chairman Larry Lucchino in a Jimmy Fund shirt with others at Fenway Park
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Former Chairman Larry Lucchino in a Jimmy Fund shirt with others at Fenway Park

2010s

Tradition of Jimmy Fund Captains

The tradition of Red Sox players becoming Jimmy Fund Captains gives many Red Sox legends the opportunity to make a sustained difference for patient care and research at Dana-Farber. Among those players who’ve served since 2010 are Nathan Eovaldi, Mitch Moreland, Brock Holt, Pablo Sandoval, Will Middlebrooks, David Ross, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Daniel Bard, Tim Wakefield, Clay Buchholz, and 2024’s captain, Garrett Whitlock. 

In 2016, the late Larry Lucchino, former Red Sox owner and owner of the WooSox, takes the role as chairman of the Jimmy Fund, a role he would hold until his death in 2024.

2020s

Co-Chairs Chart the Future

Former Red Sox player Brock Holt (“The Brock Star”) and NESN broadcaster Tom Caron take the leadership reins as the new Co-Chairs of the Jimmy Fund. In 2028, the Red Sox will mark its 75th year of supporting the Jimmy Fund.

Tom Caron and Brock Holt at Fenway Park
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Tom Caron and Brock Holt at Fenway Park

2020s

Co-Chairs Chart the Future

Former Red Sox player Brock Holt (“The Brock Star”) and NESN broadcaster Tom Caron take the leadership reins as the new Co-Chairs of the Jimmy Fund. In 2028, the Red Sox will mark its 75th year of supporting the Jimmy Fund.

Decades of Partnership

Ted Williams and the Jimmy Fund 

Ted Williams was a hero in the ballpark, on the battlefield, and in the hearts of millions of children suffering from cancer. 

Famous for his extraordinary batting record during his decades-long career with the Red Sox, Williams also displayed heroism as a fighter pilot in two wars, and through his tireless efforts on behalf of the Jimmy Fund.

“All the bullets and all the bombs that explode all over the world won’t leave the impact, when all is said and done, of a dollar bill dropped in the Jimmy Fund pot by a warm heart and a willing hand.”

Ted Williams, 1953

Black and white photo of Ted Williams

Williams went everywhere to support the cause: American Legion banquets, temples and churches, Little League games, drive-in theaters, department stores for autograph sessions. Most memorably, he made countless visits to the bedsides of sick children at the Jimmy Fund Clinic.   

As a kid, Williams dreamed of being a sports hero, but as an adult, he dreamed of beating cancer. His efforts over the years contributed to remarkable progress in the treatment of childhood cancers.  

When Williams started working with the Jimmy Fund in the 1940s, almost every child with cancer died. Today, more than three out of four children with cancer survive.  

"During his lifetime, Ted was uncomfortable when praised for all he did for the Jimmy Fund," says Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, President Emeritus. "But, let me say now that his commitment to the Jimmy Fund and to the children facing cancer should go in the record books as among the most any professional athlete has done to advance a cause."  

"Ted signed on for life to the Jimmy Fund, helping make it the best-loved charity in New England," adds Mike Andrews, former Boston Red Sox second baseman and chairman of the Jimmy Fund. "Ted's name is synonymous with our battle against cancer."  

Williams last visit to the children being treated for cancer at Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund Clinic was in July 1999, just before Major League Baseball's All-Star game at Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park.  

His first visit, and hundreds of subsequent ones, went unheralded, because as Williams said, "What I do for the Jimmy Fund, I do for the kids."