Announcer Sean McDonough wishes today's athletes could be even somewhat more like Johnny Pesky, Bobby Doerr and Dom DiMaggio.

08:02 AM EDT on Thursday, July 15, 2004

BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer

Broadcaster Sean McDonough has been around professional sports all his life, thanks to his father, late Boston Globe writer Will McDonough.

Yesterday, after emceeing the gala luncheon at the R.I. Convention Center featuring "the teammates" -- former Red Sox greats Johnny Pesky, Bobby Doerr and Dominic DiMaggio -- McDonough said today's athletes could learn a thing or two from that trio of players.

"I admire all three of them so much," McDonough said." Not only for what they did in baseball, but more importantly, for the kind of citizens they are. I just think they are a great example to these young guys who are here (for the Triple-A All-Star game) of how guys should conduct themselves."

"A lot of times in this day and age, you see a lot of guys that don't have one fraction of the ability that those guys have behave like they're God's gift to the world. And here are those guys, who are among the greatest players of all time, so humble and charming."

McDonough has known Pesky his entire life, and has also gotten to know DiMaggio, who still lives in Massachusetts, and Doerr, who retired to Oregon, over the years.

All three are now in their 80s. In a time where it seems athletes -- from professionals down to middle schoolers -- are trying to get themselves on "SportsCenter," Pesky, Doerr and DiMaggio, like other players of their generation, simply wanted to contribute to the good of their team.

"Everybody is trying to be noticed (now). Back then, if you pulled that junk, your teammates would knock you back to reality. There's not that peer pressure to be a teammate anymore," said McDonough.

Because of the money-dominated culture of pro sports, McDonough thinks it might have been a bit nicer being a sports journalist 40 or 50 years ago.

But being a sports journalist today has its perks -- like leading a luncheon with three of the best players in Red Sox history.

"When they first called me to emcee the luncheon, I figured it was just a luncheon, and I was happy to do it," McDonough said. "Then I heard that those three guys were going to be featured. It was a real thrill. You're concious when you're sitting up there on stage in front of 1,200 people that everybody in the audience would like to switch places with you and be able to sit there and talk with those guys like that."

He admitted that he still gets a bit star-struck being around men he admired growing up.

"They're such gentlemen," McDonough said. "They treat you like they're excited to talk to you, and that's the kind of people they are. Those guys are my heroes. I don't get that way around players in this day and age."