2011 Boston Red Sox season
Encyclopedia
The Boston Red Sox
2011 season
was the 111th in the team's history. The Red Sox opened their 2011 season playing away from Fenway Park against the Texas Rangers
. Breaking from the traditional opening day of Sunday or Monday, Major League Baseball opened in 2011 on a Thursday, March 31, and the Red Sox opened the season on Friday, April 1. The Red Sox were favored to win the AL East and reach the World Series in the offseason, with some comparing the team to the 1927 New York Yankees. After leading the Tampa Bay Rays
by nine games in the AL wild card
race on September 3—when their odds of reaching the playoffs peaked at 99.6%—the Red Sox lost 18 of their final 24 games. On the last day of the season, September 28, 2011, a Boston bottom of the 9th blown save loss against the Baltimore Orioles
coupled with an extra inning come from behind Tampa Bay Rays
victory made the Rays the American League Wild Card winners, eliminating Boston from playoff contention.
confirmed speculation that he would be retiring after the 2010 season on September 11, 2010. http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/red_sox/index.php/2010/09/11/its-official-lowells-retiring/
11/04/10-Detroit Tigers
traded Brent Dlugach
to Boston Red Sox
.
11/07/10-3B Adrian Beltre
elected to free agency.
LF Bill Hall elected to free agency.
2B Felipe López elected to free agent.
C Víctor Martínez elected to free agency.
C Jason Varitek
elected to free agency.
11/08/10-Activated RHP Junichi Tazawa
from the 60-day disabled list.
Activated CF Mike Cameron
from the 60-day disabled list.
Activated 1B Kevin Youkilis
from the 60-day disabled list.
Activated LF Jacoby Ellsbury
from the 60 day disabled list.
11/12/10-Traded LHP Dustin Richardson
to the Florida Marlins
for LHP Andrew Miller
.
11/15/10-Claimed RHP Taylor Buchholz
off waivers from Toronto Blue Jays
.
11/19/10-Called up Luis Exposito
from Portland Sea Dogs
.
Called up Stolmy Pimentel from Salem Red Sox.
Called up Oscar Tejada from Salem Red Sox.
11/24/10-Claimed Jordan Parraz
off waivers from Kansas City Royals
.
assigned to Boston Red Sox.
RHP Santo Luis assigned to Boston Red Sox.
LHP Hideki Okajima
elected free agency.
RHP Taylor Buchholz
elected free agency.
LHP Andrew Miller
elected free agency.
Signed free agent RHP Jason Bergmann
.
Signed free agent RHP Brandon Duckworth
.
Signed free agent 2B Drew Sutton
.
12/06/10-Portland Sea Dogs
traded 1B Anthony Rizzo
and RHP Casey Kelly
to San Antonio Missions
; San Diego Padres
traded 1B Adrian Gonzalez
to Boston Red Sox and Greenville Drive
traded CF Reymond Fuentes to Fort Wayne TinCaps.
12/10/10-Signed free agent C Jason Varitek
.
12/11/10-Signed free agent LF Carl Crawford
.
12/16/10-Traded CF Eric Patterson
to San Diego Padres
.
Signed free agent LHP Andrew Miller
.
Signed free agent RHP Clevelan Santeliz.
Signed free agent LHP Randy Williams
.
Signed free agent LHP Rich Hill.
Signed free agent LHP Lenny DiNardo
.
Signed free agent LHP Matt Albers
.
12/18/10-Signed free agent RHP Dan Wheeler
.
12/21/10-Designated SS Brent Dlugach
for assignment.
Signed free agent RHP Bobby Jenks
.
12/23/10-Outrighted Brent Dlugach
to Pawtucket Red Sox
.
for assignment.
Claimed Max Ramirez
off waivers from Texas Rangers
.
1/06/11-Signed free agent RHP Tony Peña, Jr..
1/10/11-Signed free agent LHP Hideki Okajima
.
1/13/11-Released RHP Matt Fox
.
on February 8, 2011 in order to kick off the Red Sox preseason by celebrating Truck Day. Truck Day is an annual event which marks the Boston Red Sox’s truck departure to Southwest Florida for Spring Training. The first full team workout of the preseason took place on February 19. Playing other teams in the Grapefruit League the Red Sox finished with 14 wins and 19 losses.
this year, but instead imploded in dramatic fashion in September and failed to make the playoffs. During the offseason the Red Sox traded for superstar First Baseman Adrian Gonzalez
, and they followed that move up by signing star outfield Carl Crawford
.
in Arlington, Texas
on Friday, April 1. The Red Sox home opener was Friday, April 8 against the rival New York Yankees
.
. Clay Buchholz was afflicted with what would be diagnosed as a stress fracture in his back and was also put on the disabled list on June 17, where he would remain for the rest of the season. Other pitchers including Rich Hill and Jenks
spent significant time on the disabled list. The Red Sox obtained Érik Bédard
from the Seattle Mariners
seconds before the trading deadline, after Kyle Weiland
(who was highlighted by his ejection on his MLB debut) proved ineffective. Starting Pitcher John Lackey
had the worst season by a starting pitcher in Boston Red Sox history, and ace Jon Lester was ineffective down the stretch, as the Red Sox crashed down to a 7-20 finish, blowing a 9-game wild card lead that they held entering September. Josh Beckett
missed a start early in the month after spraining his ankle in a previous start, and was ineffective in most of his September starts after that point.
decided to part ways, and not exercise either of the additional year options on Francona's contract.
After the regular season ended, General Manager Theo Epstein
entered talks with the Chicago Cubs
to interview for the National League club's vacant General Manager position. The Cubs offered the role to Epstein, and the two teams are currently in talks to work out compensation for the final year of Theo's contract in Boston.
Soon after the season ended, stories broke in the local media about several of Boston's starting pitchers, including Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, and John Lackey, had been playing video games, eating fried chicken,and drinking beer in the clubhouse and dugout during games when they were not pitching. Jon Lester was the first to speak publicly about the allegations, and admitted to eating and drinking in the clubhouse during games, though infrequently, but denied that these actions ever took place in the dugout.
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
2011 season
2011 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:December*December 5: Last time to outright a player prior to the Rule 5 Draft – 5 p.m. ET.*December 7: Last date for player who declared free agency to accept an arbitration offer from former club...
was the 111th in the team's history. The Red Sox opened their 2011 season playing away from Fenway Park against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. Breaking from the traditional opening day of Sunday or Monday, Major League Baseball opened in 2011 on a Thursday, March 31, and the Red Sox opened the season on Friday, April 1. The Red Sox were favored to win the AL East and reach the World Series in the offseason, with some comparing the team to the 1927 New York Yankees. After leading the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
by nine games in the AL wild card
Major League Baseball Wild Card
In Major League Baseball, the wild-card playoff spot is given to the team in each league with the best record among the non-division winners. It was established for Major League Baseball's playoffs in 1994 with the intention of helping the best teams that did not win their division to still have a...
race on September 3—when their odds of reaching the playoffs peaked at 99.6%—the Red Sox lost 18 of their final 24 games. On the last day of the season, September 28, 2011, a Boston bottom of the 9th blown save loss against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
coupled with an extra inning come from behind Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
victory made the Rays the American League Wild Card winners, eliminating Boston from playoff contention.
November
Mike LowellMike Lowell
Michael Averett Lowell is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball third baseman. During a 13-year career, Lowell played for the New York Yankees , Florida Marlins , and the Boston Red Sox...
confirmed speculation that he would be retiring after the 2010 season on September 11, 2010. http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/red_sox/index.php/2010/09/11/its-official-lowells-retiring/
11/04/10-Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
traded Brent Dlugach
Brent Dlugach
Brent P. Dlugach is an American baseball shortstop. He was briefly called up to the Detroit Tigers when the rosters expanded in late 2009.-College:...
to Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
11/07/10-3B Adrian Beltre
Adrián Beltré
Adrián Beltré Pérez is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Texas Rangers.The youngest player in the National League when he made his major league debut, he has also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , the Seattle Mariners , the Boston Red Sox , and the Texas Rangers . He bats and...
elected to free agency.
LF Bill Hall elected to free agency.
2B Felipe López elected to free agent.
C Víctor Martínez elected to free agency.
C Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek
Jason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
elected to free agency.
11/08/10-Activated RHP Junichi Tazawa
Junichi Tazawa
is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:After he finished his high school career in Yokohama, Tazawa was not drafted by any of Nippon Professional Baseball's 12 teams, and joined the company team of Nippon Oil in the corporate...
from the 60-day disabled list.
Activated CF Mike Cameron
Mike Cameron
Michael Terrance Cameron is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has previously played for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, and Florida Marlins.Cameron has won 3...
from the 60-day disabled list.
Activated 1B Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Edmund Youkilis , also known as "Youk" , is an American professional baseball player with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
from the 60-day disabled list.
Activated LF Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury ; born September 11, 1983) is an American professional baseball center fielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball....
from the 60 day disabled list.
11/12/10-Traded LHP Dustin Richardson
Dustin Richardson
Dustin A. Richardson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball...
to the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
for LHP Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller (baseball)
Andrew Mark Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-College:...
.
11/15/10-Claimed RHP Taylor Buchholz
Taylor Buchholz
Taylor Buchholz is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Biography:...
off waivers from Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
.
11/19/10-Called up Luis Exposito
Luis Exposito
Luis Exposito is an American professional baseball catcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Career:Exposito was drafted by the Red Sox in the 31st round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft....
from Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
.
Called up Stolmy Pimentel from Salem Red Sox.
Called up Oscar Tejada from Salem Red Sox.
11/24/10-Claimed Jordan Parraz
Jordan Parraz
Jordan E. Parraz is a minor league baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves organization.Parraz attended Community College of Southern Nevada. He was selected by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2004 amateur entry draft. He was signed June 21, 2004...
off waivers from Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
.
December
12/03/10-2B Nate SpearsNate Spears
Nathaniel Joseph Spears is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 5th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft out of Port Charlotte High School...
assigned to Boston Red Sox.
RHP Santo Luis assigned to Boston Red Sox.
LHP Hideki Okajima
Hideki Okajima
is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox organization in the United States, currently with their AAA affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox. He played with the Yomiuri Giants and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league from 1994-2006...
elected free agency.
RHP Taylor Buchholz
Taylor Buchholz
Taylor Buchholz is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Biography:...
elected free agency.
LHP Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller (baseball)
Andrew Mark Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-College:...
elected free agency.
Signed free agent RHP Jason Bergmann
Jason Bergmann
Jason Christopher Bergmann is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball. He was born in Neptune, New Jersey, and grew up in Manalapan Township, New Jersey where he played high school baseball at Manalapan High School...
.
Signed free agent RHP Brandon Duckworth
Brandon Duckworth
Brandon J. Duckworth is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox organization. Graduated in 1994 from Kearns High in Kearns Utah....
.
Signed free agent 2B Drew Sutton
Drew Sutton
Stephen Drew Sutton is an American professional baseball infielder and outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball....
.
12/06/10-Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
traded 1B Anthony Rizzo
Anthony Rizzo (baseball)
Anthony Rizzo is an American professional baseball first baseman for the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball...
and RHP Casey Kelly
Casey Kelly
Casey Kelly is an American minor league baseball player in the San Diego Padres organization. He was a first round draft choice, 30th overall, in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox...
to San Antonio Missions
San Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions are a minor league baseball team based in San Antonio, Texas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres major-league club. The Missions play in Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, located in San Antonio...
; San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
traded 1B Adrian Gonzalez
Adrián González
Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he...
to Boston Red Sox and Greenville Drive
Greenville Drive
The Greenville Drive is a minor league baseball team that plays in Greenville, South Carolina. They are a Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and a member of the South Atlantic League. Prior to the 2005 SAL season, the team played in Columbia, South Carolina, was affiliated with the New York...
traded CF Reymond Fuentes to Fort Wayne TinCaps.
12/10/10-Signed free agent C Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek
Jason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
.
12/11/10-Signed free agent LF Carl Crawford
Carl Crawford
Carl Demonte Crawford is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed...
.
12/16/10-Traded CF Eric Patterson
Eric Patterson
Eric Scott Patterson is an American professional baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. He has also played second base in the majors, which he predominantly played in the minor leagues...
to San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
Signed free agent LHP Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller (baseball)
Andrew Mark Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-College:...
.
Signed free agent RHP Clevelan Santeliz.
Signed free agent LHP Randy Williams
Randy Williams (baseball)
Randall Duane Williams is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He played with the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies in Major League Baseball from 2004-2010...
.
Signed free agent LHP Rich Hill.
Signed free agent LHP Lenny DiNardo
Lenny DiNardo
Leonard Edward DiNardo is a professional baseball pitcher in the Oakland Athletics organization. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in Alachua, Florida in 1998, and went on to attend Stetson University...
.
Signed free agent LHP Matt Albers
Matt Albers
Matthew James Albers is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-High school:In 2001, Albers graduated William P. Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas...
.
12/18/10-Signed free agent RHP Dan Wheeler
Dan Wheeler
Daniel Michael Wheeler is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:...
.
12/21/10-Designated SS Brent Dlugach
Brent Dlugach
Brent P. Dlugach is an American baseball shortstop. He was briefly called up to the Detroit Tigers when the rosters expanded in late 2009.-College:...
for assignment.
Signed free agent RHP Bobby Jenks
Bobby Jenks
Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
.
12/23/10-Outrighted Brent Dlugach
Brent Dlugach
Brent P. Dlugach is an American baseball shortstop. He was briefly called up to the Detroit Tigers when the rosters expanded in late 2009.-College:...
to Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
.
January
1/05/11-Designated Matt FoxMatt Fox (baseball)
Matthew Jacob Fox is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
for assignment.
Claimed Max Ramirez
Max Ramírez
Maximiliano R. Ramírez is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-Atlanta Braves:...
off waivers from Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
1/06/11-Signed free agent RHP Tony Peña, Jr..
1/10/11-Signed free agent LHP Hideki Okajima
Hideki Okajima
is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox organization in the United States, currently with their AAA affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox. He played with the Yomiuri Giants and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league from 1994-2006...
.
1/13/11-Released RHP Matt Fox
Matt Fox (baseball)
Matthew Jacob Fox is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
.
2011 Spring Training
Fans gathered at Fenway ParkFenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
on February 8, 2011 in order to kick off the Red Sox preseason by celebrating Truck Day. Truck Day is an annual event which marks the Boston Red Sox’s truck departure to Southwest Florida for Spring Training. The first full team workout of the preseason took place on February 19. Playing other teams in the Grapefruit League the Red Sox finished with 14 wins and 19 losses.
2011 Season
The Red Sox made a statement in the offseason, letting everyone know that after missing the playoffs last year, they are striving to win the World SeriesWorld Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
this year, but instead imploded in dramatic fashion in September and failed to make the playoffs. During the offseason the Red Sox traded for superstar First Baseman Adrian Gonzalez
Adrián González
Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he...
, and they followed that move up by signing star outfield Carl Crawford
Carl Crawford
Carl Demonte Crawford is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed...
.
Opening Day
The Red Sox kicked off the year against the defending AL Pennant Winners, the Texas Rangers2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
in Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
on Friday, April 1. The Red Sox home opener was Friday, April 8 against the rival New York Yankees
2011 New York Yankees season
The 2011 New York Yankees season was the 111th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees began the season at home against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, March 31. The Yankees clinched a playoff berth in the first game of a doubleheader on September 21, 2011, and clinched the AL East...
.
Pitching Woes
On May 15, John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka were placed on the disabled list. On June 10, Matsuzaka underwent season-ending Tommy John SurgeryTommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
. Clay Buchholz was afflicted with what would be diagnosed as a stress fracture in his back and was also put on the disabled list on June 17, where he would remain for the rest of the season. Other pitchers including Rich Hill and Jenks
Bobby Jenks
Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
spent significant time on the disabled list. The Red Sox obtained Érik Bédard
Erik Bedard
Érik Joseph Bédard is a free agent Canadian professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball.Bédard previously pitched for the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners. With Baltimore, he was the staff ace, setting the franchise single-season strikeouts per nine innings record at 10.93 in...
from the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
seconds before the trading deadline, after Kyle Weiland
Kyle Weiland
Kyle Edward Weiland is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Red Sox in the 3rd round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft....
(who was highlighted by his ejection on his MLB debut) proved ineffective. Starting Pitcher John Lackey
John Lackey
John Derran Lackey is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Lackey was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 1999 and helped the franchise win its first World Series title in 2002, which was his first season in the major leagues...
had the worst season by a starting pitcher in Boston Red Sox history, and ace Jon Lester was ineffective down the stretch, as the Red Sox crashed down to a 7-20 finish, blowing a 9-game wild card lead that they held entering September. Josh Beckett
Josh Beckett
Joshua Patrick Beckett is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. During his career in the playoffs, he won the 2003 World Series MVP Award with the Florida Marlins, and received the 2007 ALCS MVP award with the Red Sox.-Florida Marlins :A...
missed a start early in the month after spraining his ankle in a previous start, and was ineffective in most of his September starts after that point.
Controversy
The Red Sox became the first team in the history of Major League Baseball to have a nine-game lead in September and fail to make the playoffs that season, thanks to their 7-20 record in the final month of the regular season. In the days following this historic collapse, the front office and manager Terry FranconaTerry Francona
Terry Jon Francona , nicknamed "Tito," is a former Major League Baseball manager and a former player. He was a first baseman and outfielder in the majors from 1981 to 1990. After retiring as a player, he managed several minor league teams in the 1990s before managing the Philadelphia Phillies for...
decided to part ways, and not exercise either of the additional year options on Francona's contract.
After the regular season ended, General Manager Theo Epstein
Theo Epstein
Theo Nathan Epstein is the President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs.On November 25, 2002, he became the youngest GM in the history of Major League Baseball when the Boston Red Sox hired him at the age of 28...
entered talks with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
to interview for the National League club's vacant General Manager position. The Cubs offered the role to Epstein, and the two teams are currently in talks to work out compensation for the final year of Theo's contract in Boston.
Soon after the season ended, stories broke in the local media about several of Boston's starting pitchers, including Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, and John Lackey, had been playing video games, eating fried chicken,and drinking beer in the clubhouse and dugout during games when they were not pitching. Jon Lester was the first to speak publicly about the allegations, and admitted to eating and drinking in the clubhouse during games, though infrequently, but denied that these actions ever took place in the dugout.
Opening Day Lineup
| 2 | Jacoby Ellsbury Jacoby Ellsbury Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury ; born September 11, 1983) is an American professional baseball center fielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.... |
CF |
| 15 | Dustin Pedroia Dustin Pedroia Dustin Luis Pedroia is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Pedroia has won several awards in Major League Baseball, including the 2007 American League Rookie of the Year and the 2008 AL MVP award... |
2B |
| 13 | Carl Crawford Carl Crawford Carl Demonte Crawford is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed... |
LF |
| 28 | Adrian Gonzalez Adrián González Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he... |
1B |
| 20 | Kevin Youkilis Kevin Youkilis Kevin Edmund Youkilis , also known as "Youk" , is an American professional baseball player with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball... |
3B |
| 34 | David Ortiz David Ortiz David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox... |
DH |
| 7 | J.D. Drew | RF |
| 39 | Jarrod Saltalamacchia Jarrod Saltalamacchia Jarrod Scott Saltalamacchia , nicknamed "Salty" is an American professional baseball catcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.His last name is the longest in Major League Baseball history... |
C |
| 10 | Marco Scutaro Marco Scutaro Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela, Scutaro formerly played with the New York Mets , Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays... |
SS |
- Source: 2011 Opening Day Starting Lineup
2011 Roster
| 2011 Boston Red Sox | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches (third base) (bench) (first base) (hitting) (bullpen) (pitching) |
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Game log
| Legend | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sox Win | Red Sox Loss | Game Postponed | Eliminated from Playoff Contention | |
| Boldface text denotes a Red Sox pitcher | ||||
| 2011 Game Log (90–72) | |
|---|---|
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In; BB = Base on Balls; SO = Strike Out; SB = Stolen Bases; AVG = Batting average| ## | Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 71 | 44 | 6 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | .295 | |
| 23 | 33 | 94 | 9 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 25 | 0 | .149 | |
| 13 | 100 | 390 | 49 | 98 | 18 | 5 | 8 | 40 | 17 | 77 | 17 | .251 | |
| 7 | 77 | 233 | 23 | 51 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 33 | 56 | 0 | .219 | |
| 2 | 123 | 505 | 89 | 158 | 31 | 3 | 22 | 79 | 41 | 78 | 33 | .313 | |
| 28 | 125 | 508 | 82 | 174 | 38 | 3 | 18 | 94 | 51 | 88 | 1 | .343 | |
| 28 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | |
| 36 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | |
| 60 | 5 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | .294 | |
| 12 | 67 | 238 | 30 | 63 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 28 | 16 | 44 | 0 | .265 | |
| 54 | 57 | 112 | 20 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 10 | 27 | 2 | .188 | |
| 56 | 16 | 37 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 0 | .216 | |
| 34 | 113 | 404 | 64 | 121 | 30 | 1 | 24 | 79 | 58 | 59 | 1 | .300 | |
| 15 | 124 | 490 | 79 | 150 | 28 | 2 | 16 | 65 | 77 | 62 | 24 | .306 | |
| 16 | 59 | 174 | 31 | 51 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 25 | 15 | 38 | 1 | .293 | |
| 39 | 80 | 271 | 41 | 66 | 17 | 2 | 12 | 41 | 22 | 86 | 0 | .244 | |
| 10 | 79 | 269 | 36 | 73 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 4 | .271 | |
| 44 | 31 | 54 | 11 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 0 | .315 | |
| 33 | 56 | 184 | 26 | 42 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 26 | 18 | 53 | 0 | .228 | |
| 20 | 110 | 395 | 64 | 105 | 30 | 2 | 17 | 78 | 63 | 89 | 3 | .266 |
- Source: « Boston Red Sox Batting Stats »
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV=Saves; SVO = Saves Opportunity; IP = Innings pitched; H =Hits; R= Runs; ER = Earned runs allowed; HR= Home Run allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts| ## | Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | SVO | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | 8 | 1 | 3.06 | 39 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 82.1 | 66 | 32 | 28 | 6 | 29 | 53 | |
| 32 | 4 | 4 | 3.63 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 52.0 | 45 | 22 | 21 | 3 | 24 | 52 | |
| 48 | 0 | 0 | 4.70 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 15.1 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 10 | |
| 51 | 2 | 5 | 2.10 | 57 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 60.0 | 34 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 15 | 62 | |
| 23 | 0 | 2 | 4.09 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 22.0 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 21 | |
| 19 | 10 | 5 | 2.46 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 157.0 | 112 | 44 | 43 | 15 | 40 | 137 | |
| 64 | 0 | 0 | 1.29 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.0 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | |
| 11 | 6 | 3 | 3.48 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 82.2 | 76 | 34 | 32 | 10 | 31 | 60 | |
| 61 | 0 | 0 | 6.75 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| 53 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | |
| 68 | 0 | 0 | 6.75 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | |
| 52 | 2 | 2 | 6.32 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15.2 | 22 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 13 | 17 | |
| 41 | 11 | 9 | 6.02 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 122.2 | 153 | 85 | 82 | 17 | 37 | 86 | |
| 31 | 13 | 6 | 3.16 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 154.0 | 128 | 56 | 54 | 16 | 57 | 146 | |
| 18 | 3 | 3 | 5.30 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 37.1 | 32 | 24 | 22 | 4 | 23 | 26 | |
| 30 | 5 | 1 | 4.99 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 48.2 | 58 | 30 | 27 | 5 | 30 | 33 | |
| 46 | 0 | 1 | 3.74 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21.2 | 20 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 22 | |
| 37 | 1 | 0 | 4.32 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.1 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 6 | |
| 58 | 4 | 0 | 2.96 | 52 | 0 | 29 | 30 | 51.2 | 41 | 18 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 67 | |
| 59 | 0 | 0 | 16.20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| 49 | 6 | 5 | 4.97 | 27 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 126.2 | 132 | 81 | 70 | 19 | 34 | 69 | |
| 70 | 0 | 1 | 8.10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10.0 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 4 | |
| 35 | 2 | 1 | 3.86 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42.0 | 38 | 18 | 18 | 5 | 8 | 34 | |
| 43 | 0 | 1 | 6.48 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.1 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 6 |