A catchy new name in left: Fisk Pole

As Carlton Fisk stood next to the foul pole in Fenway Park he made famous 30 seasons ago, he experienced ''all kinds of nostalgic feelings" during the formal dedication of what will now be known as the Fisk Pole.

''You wonder if you're deserving. Why not the Ted Williams Pole or the Yaz Pole?" said Fisk before last night's game against the Cincinnati Reds, the team that opposed the Red Sox in the 1975 World Series, the signature moment of which was Fisk's homer off the pole in the 12th inning of Game 6. ''This is a pretty big honor and certainly better than not being remembered at all."

Though the euphoria of that classic World Series game will always be with him, said Fisk, there was also a ''hollow feeling" because the Sox lost Game 7 and Fisk never played in another World Series.

There was a surprise in store for Fisk, who threw out last night's first pitch to former batterymate Luis Tiant, after which they exchanged a hug at home plate. It came when Red Sox owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner presented Fisk with a 2004 world championship ring as they huddled atop the Green Monster, prompting Fisk to hold up both hands at a post-ceremony news conference to show he now had Hall of Fame and World Series rings.

''That was a total surprise," said Fisk, whose No. 27 already has been retired by the Red Sox and who exchanged greetings with Reds players Ken Griffey -- whose father played for the '75 Reds -- and Sean Casey.

Fisk remembered telling teammate Fred Lynn going into the 12th inning that he'd hit one off the wall and Lynn should drive him home.

But Fisk wound up putting one over the wall and off the pole, which now joins the right field Pesky Pole as foul line bookends at Fenway Park.

A lot of time has passed since Fisk hit that pitch from Cincinnati pitcher Pat Darcy, as evidenced by a conversation between Fisk and Darcy last year.

''We talked about our grandchildren," said Fisk.