Red Sox lead keeper announces retirement after 23 seasons, ‘Gardener’s Rembrandt’

BOSTON – Dave Mellor, the head groundkeeper for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, has announced his retirement after 23 seasons at the ballpark.

Mellor made the announcement on his Instagram on Saturday. “I am humbled and humbled to have served 39 years in the MLB,” he said in his statement. “Thank you to the Red Sox and Red Sox Nation for giving me the opportunity to realize my childhood dreams of working at historic Fenway Park.” He said he looked forward to “contributing to the industry and causes I care about” while spending time with his family.

Mellor, known as the “Rembrandt of groundskeeping,” published two books on the art of mowing and maintaining lawns. He has over 52,000 followers on Instagram and sometimes calls his fans “Lawnatics.”

He has also spoken publicly about his mental issues, urging others to seek counseling like he did.

“Counseling has greatly improved the quality of life for me and those close to me. I am proud to be a survivor,” Mellor wrote in his statement on Instagram.

Mellor was hired by the Red Sox in 2001. Before that, he worked for the Milwaukee Brewers.