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Man Celebrates 100th Birthday By Throwing Out 1st Pitch At Fenway Park

BOSTON (CBS) - It was a birthday to remember for Bill Hogan, Jr., of Lexington. He turned 100 years old on Saturday.

To mark the occasion, Hogan threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park as part of the park's centennial celebration.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mary Blake was there:

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Prior to his trip to the mound, Hogan lined up with his family along the warning track at the park. Four generations of Hogans, nearly four dozen family members in all, posed for pictures.

"I feel so grateful. It's so incredible to have your dad still here at age 100 and to come to a wonderful place on a beautiful day," said Hogan's daughter, Linda O'Connor Hogan.

She said her father had been getting ready for awhile.

"He's actually worked out three times a week for years, and for the past six or seven weeks, he's been practicing his pitching. He used to play baseball in college," she added.

Even though the park was filled with spectators, Hogan was unruffled.

"I've been around for so long, I never get nervous. I just feel very privileged to be here, especially since I still know what I'm talking about," joked Hogan.

Hogan was born on April 14th, 1912. A native of Cambridge, Hogan graduated from Boston College in 1932. He attended Harvard Law School and later became General Counsel and Vice President of Public Affairs for New England Telephone. He retired from the phone company in 1977.

The Fenway crowd cheered as Hogan was introduced. With Mark Melancon catching, Hogan wound up his arm, threw once, and then twice.

He commented afterwards.

"It felt wonderful. I'm disappointed that it didn't go a little further. I thought the second would be better. I'm delighted," said Hogan.

A lifelong Red Sox fan, Hogan says his best memory of Fenway occurred in September of 1960.

"I was in here on a quiet, almost rainy dark day, and Ted Williams was playing that day. He hit a ball into the bleachers for a home run. He ran the bases into the dugout. I saw his last hit," said Hogan.

Listen to Hogan discuss Ted Williams' final at bat:

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Red Sox President Larry Lucchino was on hand for Hogan's moment on the mound.

"He is the perfect representative of Red Sox Nation over a long period of time. He's a 100-year-old man with vivid baseball memories to help fill the picture out, " said Lucchino.

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