Red Sox chief groundskeeper announces retirement after 23 seasons, the "Rembrandt of Groundskeeping"
BOSTON - Dave Mellor, the Boston Red Sox Chief Groundskeeper at Fenway Park, has announced his retirement after 23 seasons at the ballpark.
Mellor made the announcement on his Instagram Saturday. "I am honored and humbled to have worked 39 years in MLB," he said in his statement. "Thank you to the Red Sox and Red Sox Nation for the opportunity to fulfill my childhood dreams of working in historic Fenway Park." He said he looks forward to "contributing to the industry and causes near my heart" while also spending time with his family.
Mellor, who has been referred to as the "Rembrandt of Groundskeeping," has published two books about the art of mowing and grooming lawns. He has more than 52,000 followers on Instagram and sometimes calls his fans "Lawnatics."
He's also spoken publicly about his struggles with mental, urging others to seek counseling like he did.
"Counseling has greatly improved my and my loved ones' quality of life. I am proud to be a survivor," Mellor wrote in his Instagram statement.
Mellor was hired by the Red Sox in 2001. Before that, he worked for the Milwaukee Brewers.