'I would have never become the player I am without him,' Colabello one of many pros that have benefited from learning under Rich Gedman

BOSTON — If Chris Colabello had his choice to have dinner with any one of his heroes his choices easily come to mind.

His first choice would be his father, Lou, followed by Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Tom Brady and, of course, Rich Gedman.

Yes, Rich Gedman.

Colabello was in attendance Thursday when Gedman was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame at Fenway Park. The former big league catcher, and current hitting coach for his hometown Worcester Red Sox, joins David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, the late Bill Dinneen, and former general manager Dan Duquette as members of the Class of 2020. The original ceremony had to be rescheduled due to COVID-19, but was finally celebrated on the field on a beautiful night at Fenway.

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It’s a well-deserved honor for Gedman, who grew up on Lafayette Street in Worcester, and now finds himself a Red Sox Hall of Famer. The Red Sox signed him as a non-drafted free agent in 1977 and has become one of the most beloved members of the Red Sox family.

Colabello, a native of Milford, played four seasons in the majors and credits Gedman for his guidance and advice.

“I would have never become the player I am without him,” Colabello said. “I call him a mentor, surrogate father, older brother, good conscience, all the things I needed to turn into a pro.”

Colabello’s not alone. He’s talked with Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Xander Bogaerts, players who worked with Gedman in the minors, and they all say the same thing.

“To a man, they all love him and give him so much credit for their success at the lower levels and rightfully so, because I know the message he passes along and he was so instrumental helping me,” Colabello said.

Gedman’s in his eighth season as the Red Sox’ Triple-A hitting coach. He describes his current place in the game as a dream come true, being able to work for the Red Sox in his hometown. Attend any WooSox game and it’s evident Gedman is the most popular person at Polar Park.

“He embodies everything that town stands for,” Colabello said. “To be able to come from where he did and to become who he was, and to still be making an impact 40 years later in the game the way he is, I’m honestly shocked he’s not a big-league coach, but they need him to be with the younger players so badly that probably why he’s not.”

Gedman played 13 seasons in the big leagues with the Red Sox (1980-90), Houston Astros (1990) and St. Louis Cardinals (1991-92). He posted a career .252 batting average with 88 home runs in 1,033 games. He was named an American League All-Star in 1985 and 1986. He ranks fourth in Red Sox history in games caught (858) behind Jason Varitek, Carlton Fisk and Sammy Walton.

Gedman also caught Roger Clemens’ 20-strikeout performance against the Seattle Mariners on April 19, 1986. In fact, the two still talk every year on the date of record-setting mark.

“He did was he was supposed to,” Ortiz said of Gedman’s career. “Rich has a very deep relationship with everybody around here, and when you get to be honored at this level you did something special and that’s what he did.”

Duquette, a fellow Massachusetts native, is thrilled for Gedman and honored to be included in the same Hall of Fame class.

“It’s a great story, right?” Duquette said. “Here’s a kid who grew up in Worcester, not too far from Fenway Park, and he came here and he proved himself as a terrific catcher. The catcher is the heart of the team and he’s got a big heart. It’s got to be a great thrill for him, being from New England, to be a Red Sox Hall of Famer.”

It’s fitting Gedman is going into the Red Sox Hall of Fame with the likes of Papi and Manny, because the former catcher embodies everything it means to be a Red Sox. Gedman admitted it’s special to be mentioned in the same breath as Ortiz.

When Richard Leo Gedman Jr. was officially inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame at 8:05 p.m. Thursday night, the fans in attendance gave him a standing ovation. He deserved it.

“I’m such a little kid when I’m around him,” Colabello said. “I can’t believe he’s my friend. He’s everything to me. I’m blessed. I’m honored and there’s not enough good words you can say about that guy.”

Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey. 

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Chris Colabello one of many pros that have benefited from learning under Rich Gedman