Johnny Pesky, the one-time teammate of Ted Williams who spent more than a half-century in the Red Sox organization, and whose name became synonymous with the right field foul pole at Fenway Park, has died. He was 92. The cause of death was not revealed.

"The national pastime has lost one of its greatest ambassadors," commissioner Bud Selig said. "Johnny Pesky, who led a great American life, was an embodiment of loyalty and goodwill for the Boston Red Sox and all of Major League Baseball."

"Johnny Pesky will forever be linked to the Boston Red Sox," Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said. "He has been as much a part of Fenway Park as his retired Number 6 that rests on the right-field facade, or the foul pole below it that bears his name."

The Red Sox had an off-day Monday. Their rival New York Yankees paid their respects to Pesky. The held a moment of silence before their game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium.

Pesky, a lifetime .307 hitter in 10 major league seasons, gave up three years of his career in his early 20s to, like Williams, serve in World War II.

GALLERY: Johnny Pesky

The 5-foot-9 shortstop hit just 17 career home runs, but a home run he hit on behalf of Red Sox pitcher Mel Parnell - just inside the right field foul pole, 302 feet from home plate - earned that landmark the designation "Pesky's Pole." The moniker became official in 2006.

There weren't many hats he didn't wear on behalf of the Red Sox - player, broadcaster, coach and - from 1963-64 and 1980 - as their manager. He was a tireless ambassador for the club, be it at their spring training base in Fort Myers, Fla., or in a uniformed coaching capacity at Fenway.

The club retired his No. 6 in 2008.