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Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are a Major League Baseball Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in professional baseball [i]. ... 

 team in the American League. The team competes in the Eastern Division of the American League American League

The American League is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball [i] in the United States of America [i] ... 

. Its stadium, Fenway Park Fenway Park

Fenway Park is the home ballpark [i] of the Boston Red Sox [i] baseball [i] club. ... 

, opened on April 20, 1912, making it the oldest major league ballpark still in operation. The Red Sox won the first World Series World Series

The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball [i] and the culmination of the spor ... 

 as the Boston Americans in 1903 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They won their latest World Series championship in 2004, after an 86-year interval. They are one of two teams in the American League with Sox in their name, the Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball [i] team that plays on the South Side [i] ... 

 being the other.

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Timeline

1904   Pitching Pitcher

In baseball [i], the pitcher is the player who throws the baseball from the pitcher's mound [i] toward t ... 

 against the Philadelphia Athletics Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Oakland [i], California [i] ... 

 at the Huntington Avenue Grounds Huntington Avenue Grounds

Huntington Avenue American League Base Ball Grounds is the full name of a baseball [i] stadium [i] that ... 

, Cy Young Cy Young

Denton True Young was a pre-eminent baseball [i] pitcher during the 1890s and 1900s. ... 

 of the Boston Americans Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are a Major League Baseball [i] team in the American League. ... 

 threw the first perfect game in the modern era of baseball Baseball

Baseball is a team sport [i] popular in North America [i], parts of Latin America [i], the Caribbean [i] ... 

.

1912   Fenway Park Fenway Park

Fenway Park is the home ballpark [i] of the Boston Red Sox [i] baseball [i] club. ... 

 home of the Boston Red Sox opens.

1914   Baseball Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in professional baseball [i]. ... 

 legend Babe Ruth Babe Ruth

George Herman Ruth , better known as "Babe" Ruth, also known by the nicknames "The Bambino" ... 

 makes his major league debut with the Red Sox Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are a Major League Baseball [i] team in the American League. ... 

1918   September 11 — The Boston Red Sox defeat the Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are a Major League Baseball [i] team that plays in the North Side Central Lakeview [i] ... 

 for the 1918 World Series championship. (their last World Series win until 2004)

1920   Babe Ruth Babe Ruth

George Herman Ruth , better known as "Babe" Ruth, also known by the nicknames "The Bambino" ... 

 is traded by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a Major League Baseball [i] team, based in the borough of The Bronx [i], in New York City [i] ... 

 for $125,000, the largest sum ever paid for a player at that time.

1975   Carlton Fisk of the Boston Red Sox hits a home run in Fenway Park Fenway Park

Fenway Park is the home ballpark [i] of the Boston Red Sox [i] baseball [i] club. ... 

, in the 12th inning of the 6th game of the 1975 World Series 1975 World Series

[i] and [[Cincinnati Reds]... 

 against the Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Cincinnati, Ohio [i]. ... 

, to win what many consider the greatest World Series game of all time.

1986   The New York Mets New York Mets

The New York Mets are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Flushing [i], in the New York City [i] ... 

 win the Major League Baseball Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in professional baseball [i]. ... 

 World Series 1986 World Series

The 1986 [i] World Series [i], the 83rd playing of the modern championship series in Major League Baseball [i] ... 

, beating the Boston Red Sox in 7 games.

2004   The New York Yankees New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a Major League Baseball [i] team, based in the borough of The Bronx [i], in New York City [i] ... 

 defeat the Boston Red Sox 19-8 in Game 3 of Major League Baseball Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in professional baseball [i]. ... 

's American League Championship Series. The game, which pushed the Yankees to a 3 games to 0 series lead, sets a record for longest 9 inning baseball game.

2004   The Boston Red Sox defeat the New York Yankees New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a Major League Baseball [i] team, based in the borough of The Bronx [i], in New York City [i] ... 

 10-3 in Game 7 of the Major League Baseball Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in professional baseball [i]. ... 

's American League Championship Series to win the series 4 games to 3. The Boston Red Sox become the first team in baseball history to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.

2004   The Boston Red Sox defeat the New York Yankees New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a Major League Baseball [i] team, based in the borough of The Bronx [i], in New York City [i] ... 

 10-3 in Game 7 of the Major League Baseball Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in professional baseball [i]. ... 

's American League Championship Series to win the series 4 games to 3. The Boston Red Sox become the first team in baseball history to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.

   More Events >>



Encyclopedia

The Boston Red Sox are a Major League Baseball Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in professional baseball [i]. ... 

 team in the American League. The team competes in the Eastern Division of the American League American League

The American League is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball [i] in the United States of America [i] ... 

. Its stadium, Fenway Park Fenway Park

Fenway Park is the home ballpark [i] of the Boston Red Sox [i] baseball [i] club.
... 

, opened on April 20, 1912, making it the oldest major league ballpark still in operation. The Red Sox won the first World Series World Series

The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball [i] and the culmination of the spor ... 

 as the Boston Americans in 1903 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They won their latest World Series championship in 2004, after an 86-year interval. They are one of two teams in the American League with Sox in their name, the Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball [i] team that plays on the South Side [i] ... 

 being the other.

Franchise history


Deadball era championship teams


After the 1900 season, the minor American League American League

The American League is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball [i] in the United States of America [i] ... 

 led by Ban Johnson declared its equality with the National League National League

The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, or simply the National League, is the older o... 

, then the only major league Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in professional baseball [i]. ... 

. Competing in the streets, the rival placed franchises in two of the largest and most important National League National League

The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, or simply the National League, is the older o... 

 cities, Philadelphia and Boston. The Boston Americans, as they were often called, finished second and third before capturing their first pennant in 1903 and repeating next year. Those teams were led by manager and star third baseman Third baseman

A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in the sport of baseball [i] whose responsibility is ... 

 Jimmy Collins Jimmy Collins

James Joseph Collins was a Major League Baseball [i] player at the turn of the 20th century who was wide ... 

 and by pitcher Pitcher

In baseball [i], the pitcher is the player who throws the baseball from the pitcher's mound [i] toward t ... 

 Cy Young Cy Young

Denton True Young was a pre-eminent baseball [i] pitcher during the 1890s and 1900s. ... 

, whose 1901 to 1904 seasons rank among the best four-year runs ever. In addition, the Americans received significant contributions from outfielder Outfielder

Outfielder is a collective term including left fielder [i], center fielder [i], and right fielder [i], t ... 

s Chick Stahl, Buck Freeman and Patsy Dougherty. In 1903, the Americans participated in the first modern World Series World Series

The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball [i] and the culmination of the spor ... 

, beating the favored Pittsburgh Pirates five games to three. The Pirates, with such stars as Honus Wagner Honus Wagner

Johannes Peter Wagner, nicknamed "Honus" and "The Flying Dutchman", is considered one of the greatest pl... 

, Fred Clarke Fred Clarke

Fred Clifford Clarke was a Major League Baseball [i] player and manager [i] at the turn of the 2 ... 

, and Deacon Phillippe, had run away with the National League National League

The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, or simply the National League, is the older o... 

 pennant, winning it by six and a half games. But the Americans, aided by the modified chants of "Tessie" by the Royal Rooters fan club and by its stronger pitching staff, managed to overcome the odds, winning the first ever World Series World Series

The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball [i] and the culmination of the spor ... 

.


These successful times soon ended, however, as the Americans lost 100 games in the 1906 season. But several new star players helped the newly renamed Red Sox improve almost immediately. By 1909, the legendary center fielder Center fielder

A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder [i] in baseball [i] who plays defense in cent ... 

 Tris Speaker Tris Speaker

Tristram E. Speaker, nicknamed Spoke and Grey Eagle, was an American [i] baseball [i] ... 

 had become a fixture in the Boston outfield, and the Red Sox worked their way to third place. However, the Red Sox would not win the pennant again until their 105-win 1912 season, finishing with a club record .691 winning percentage. Anchored by an outfield considered to be among the finest in the game — Tris Speaker Tris Speaker

Tristram E. Speaker, nicknamed Spoke and Grey Eagle, was an American [i] baseball [i] ... 

, Harry Hooper Harry Hooper

Harry Bartholomew Hooper was a Major League Baseball [i] player in the early 20th century [i]. ... 

 and Duffy Lewis Duffy Lewis

George Edward "Duffy" Lewis, born in San Francisco, California [i], was a left fielder [i] and left-hand ... 

 — and superstar pitcher Smokey Joe Wood Smokey Joe Wood

Joe "Smoky Joe" Wood was a Major League Baseball [i] player for the Boston Red Sox [i] and Cleveland Indians [i] ... 

, the Red Sox beat the New York Giants San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in San Francisco, California [i]. ... 

 4-3-1 in a classic World Series World Series

The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball [i] and the culmination of the spor ... 

 best known for Snodgrass’s Muff. Another 101 wins in 1915 propelled the Red Sox to the World Series World Series

The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball [i] and the culmination of the spor ... 

 again, where they beat the Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 four games to one. The 1916 team repeated the pennant, though Tris Speaker Tris Speaker

Tristram E. Speaker, nicknamed Spoke and Grey Eagle, was an American [i] baseball [i] ... 

, a fixture for six years, was traded to the Cleveland Indians Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Cleveland, Ohio [i]. ... 

 in the off-season. His departure was more than compensated for, however, by the emergence of the star pitcher Babe Ruth Babe Ruth

George Herman Ruth , better known as "Babe" Ruth, also known by the nicknames "The Bambino" ... 

. Once again, the Red Sox won the World Series World Series

The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball [i] and the culmination of the spor ... 

, this time defeating the Brooklyn Robins Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i].... 

. By 1918, the team found itself at the top of the heap again, led by Babe Ruth Babe Ruth

George Herman Ruth , better known as "Babe" Ruth, also known by the nicknames "The Bambino" ... 

 to a World Series World Series

The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball [i] and the culmination of the spor ... 

 championship over the Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are a Major League Baseball [i] team that plays in the North Side Central Lakeview [i] ... 

.

From 1913 to 1916 the Red Sox were owned by Joseph Lannin, who signed Babe Ruth Babe Ruth

George Herman Ruth , better known as "Babe" Ruth, also known by the nicknames "The Bambino" ... 

, soon the best-known and one of the best players ever.

Sale of Babe Ruth

After owning the Red Sox himself for three seasons, Harry Frazee Harry Frazee

Harry Harrison Frazee was an American [i] theatrical agent and producer and owner of the Major League Baseball [i] ... 

 sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a Major League Baseball [i] team, based in the borough of The Bronx [i], in New York City [i] ... 

 on January 3, 1920. Ruth had just broken the single-season home run record, hitting 29 in 1919. Legend has it that Frazee did so in order to finance the Broadway play No, No, Nanette, starring "a friend", but the play did not open on Broadway until 1925. Other circumstances actually made him decide to sell his star.

During that period, the Red Sox, White Sox and Yankees had a detente; they were called "Insurrectos" because their actions antagonized league president Johnson. Although Frazee owned the Boston Red Sox franchise, he did not own Fenway Park , making his ownership a precarious one; Johnson could move another team into the ballpark. His club was in debt, but Frazee felt the need to purchase its playing site . Further, providing the Yankees with a box office attraction would help that mediocre club, which had sided with him against Johnson and "the Loyal Five" clubs. Finally, Ruth was considered a serious disciplinary problem, a reputation to be replicated in New York. Frazee moved to stabilize finances and cut distractions. It was a straight sale, no players in return.

After New York achieved great success and Boston did not win for a few decades, the sale of Babe Ruth came to be viewed as both the beginning of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry Yankees-Red Sox rivalry

The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is one of the longest and most bitter rivalries [i] in Americ ... 

 and the occasion for a legendary "Curse of the Bambino Curse of the Bambino

The Curse of the Bambino was an urban myth [i] or scapegoat [i] cited as a reason for the failure of the ... 

" that doomed Boston to futility. The rivalry has been called the "Greatest Rivalry on Earth" by some baseball journalists


while others have paid some attention to Boston futility for its own sake.

After the sale of Ruth Babe Ruth

George Herman Ruth , better known as "Babe" Ruth, also known by the nicknames "The Bambino" ... 

 to the Yankees New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a Major League Baseball [i] team, based in the borough of The Bronx [i], in New York City [i] ... 

, Frazee Harry Frazee

Harry Harrison Frazee was an American [i] theatrical agent and producer and owner of the Major League Baseball [i] ... 

 continued to sell many of his star players. In the winter of 1920, Wally Schang Wally Schang

Walter Henry Schang was a catcher [i] in Major League Baseball [i]. ... 

, future star pitcher Waite Hoyt Waite Hoyt

Waite Charles Hoyt was an American [i] right-handed pitcher [i] in Major League Baseball [i] ... 

, Harry Harper Harry Harper

Sorry, no overview for this topic 

, and Mike McNally were traded to the Yankees for Del Pratt Del Pratt

Derrill Burnham "Del" Pratt was born January 10, 1888 in Walhalla [i], South Carolina [i].
... 

, Muddy Ruel, John Costello John A. Costello

John Aloysius Costello, a successful barrister [i], was one of the main legal advisors to the government ... 

, Hank Thormahlen, Sammy Vick and cash.

The following winter, iron man shortstop Shortstop

Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position [i] between second [i] ... 

 Everett Scott Everett Scott

 
Lewis Everett Scott, nicknamed "Deacon", was an American [i] shortstop [i] in Major League Baseball [i] ... 

, Joe Bush, and Sad Sam Jones were traded to the Yankees for Roger Peckinpaugh Roger Peckinpaugh

Roger Thorpe Peckinpaugh was an American [i] shortstop [i] in Major League Baseball [i] fo ... 

 , Jack Quinn, Rip Collins, Bill Piercy and $50,000.

One particularly controversial deal was that of Joe Dugan and Elmer Smith, who were traded to the Yankees on July 23, 1922, for Elmer Miller, Chick Fewster, John Mitchell, and future superstar Lefty O'Doul, who was at the time a mediocre pitching prospect. The trade of Dugan helped the Yankees edge the St. Louis Browns Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Baltimore, Maryland [i]. ... 

 in a tight pennant race, and the resulting uproar helped create a June 15 trading deadline that went into effect the next year.

Perhaps an even more outrageous deal was the trade of Herb Pennock Herb Pennock

Herbert Jefferis Pennock was a left-handed [i] Major League Baseball [i] pitcher [i] be ... 

, occurring in early 1923. Pennock Herb Pennock

Herbert Jefferis Pennock was a left-handed [i] Major League Baseball [i] pitcher [i] be ... 

 was traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees for Camp Skinner, Norm McMillan, George Murray and $50,000.


A couple of notable trades involving Frazee Harry Frazee

Harry Harrison Frazee was an American [i] theatrical agent and producer and owner of the Major League Baseball [i] ... 

 and the Yankees occurred before the Babe Ruth Babe Ruth

George Herman Ruth , better known as "Babe" Ruth, also known by the nicknames "The Bambino" ... 

 sale. On December 18, 1918, outstanding outfielder Duffy Lewis Duffy Lewis

George Edward "Duffy" Lewis, born in San Francisco, California [i], was a left fielder [i] and left-hand ... 

 , pitcher Dutch Leonard, pitcher and Ernie Shore were traded to the Yankees for pitcher Ray Caldwell, Slim Love, Roxy Walters, Frank Gilhooley and $15,000.

As all three players were well-regarded in Boston — Lewis had been a key player on the 1910s championship teams, Shore had famously relieved Babe Ruth Babe Ruth

George Herman Ruth , better known as "Babe" Ruth, also known by the nicknames "The Bambino" ... 

 and retired 27 straight, and Leonard had only four years before set a modern record for earned run average — this trade was regarded as not such a good one in Boston, Then, on July 13, 1919, submarine-style pitching star Carl Mays was traded to the Yankees for Bob McGraw, Allan Russell and $40,000.

Mays would go on to have several good years for the Yankees.

As a result of these trades, the Red Sox finished in the second division with poor records in the 1920s and 1930s. Over an eight-year period from 1925 to 1932, the Red Sox averaged over 100 losses in a season. One of the few bright spots on these teams was Earl Webb, who set the all-time mark for most doubles in a season in 1931 with 67. The Red Sox’ fortunes began to change in 1933, however, when Tom Yawkey Tom Yawkey

Thomas Austin Yawkey, born Thomas Austin, was an American [i] industrialist and Major League Baseball [i] ... 

 bought the Red Sox. Yawkey would acquire Lefty Grove Lefty Grove

Robert Moses "Lefty" Grove was one of the greatest pitcher [i]s in Major League Baseball [i] history.
... 

, one of the greatest pitchers of all-time, Joe Cronin Joe Cronin

Joseph Edward Cronin was a Major League Baseball [i] player from 1926 [i] to 1945 [i] ... 

, an outstanding shortstop and manager, Jimmie Foxx Jimmie Foxx

James Emory Foxx was an American [i] first baseman [i] in Major League Baseball [i] who wa ... 

, the slugging first baseman, and Wes Ferrell Wes Ferrell

Wesley Cheek Ferrell was an American [i] starting pitcher [i] in Major League Baseball [i]... 

, an outstanding pitcher. These moves paid off, as the Red Sox were once again competitive in the late thirties.

The Ted Williams era


In 1939, the Red Sox purchased the contract of outfielder Outfielder

Outfielder is a collective term including left fielder [i], center fielder [i], and right fielder [i], t ... 

 Ted Williams Ted Williams

Theodore Samuel Williams , best known as Ted Williams, nicknamed The Kid, the Splendid Sp... 

 from San Diego Pacific Coast League Pacific Coast League

The Pacific Coast League is a minor league baseball [i] league operating in the West and Midwest of the ... 

, ushering in an era of the team sometimes called the "Ted Sox." Williams is generally considered one of the greatest hitters of all time, because he consistently hit for both high power and high average. Stories of his ability to hold a bat in his hand and correctly estimate its weight down to the ounce have floated around baseball circles for decades. His book The Science of Hitting is widely read by students of baseball. He is also the last player to hit over .400 for a full season, hitting .406 in 1941. Williams feuded with sports writers his whole career, and his relationship with the fans was often rocky.

With Williams, the Red Sox reached the World Series in 1946, but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals

----

The St. Louis Cardinals are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in St. Louis, Missouri [i]. ... 

 in seven games, in part because of the use of the "Williams Shift," in which the shortstop would move to the right side of the infield to make it harder for the left-handed-hitting Williams to hit to that side of the field. Some have claimed that Williams was too proud to hit to the other side of the field, not wanting to let the Cardinals take away his game. Williams did not fare well in the series, gathering only five singles in 25 at-bats, for a .200 average. However, his performance may have been affected by an elbow injury he had received a few days before when he was hit by a pitch in an exhibition game. Williams would never play in a World Series again.

The right-field bullpens in Fenway Park were built in part for Williams' left-handed swing, and are sometimes called "Williamsburg". Before this addition to right field, Fenway park was over 400 feet deep to right field.

The Red Sox featured several other players during the 1940s, including SS Shortstop

Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position [i] between second [i] ... 

 Johnny Pesky , 2B Bobby Doerr, and CF Dom DiMaggio .

The 1950s were viewed as a time of tribulation for the Red Sox. After Williams returned from the Korean War Korean War

The Korean War began on June 25 [i], 1950 [i] and ended with a truce [i] on July 27 [i], 1953 [i] . ... 

, many of the best players from the late 1940s had retired or been traded. The stark contrast in the team led critics to call the Red Sox' daily lineup "Ted Williams and the Seven Dwarfs." Also, unlike many other teams, they refused to sign players of African Africa

Africa is one of the greatest sized continents of the Earth.... 

 descent, even passing up chances at future Hall-of-Famers Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson

Jack Roosevelt Robinson , became the first African American [i] Major League [i] Baseball [i] ... 

 and Willie Mays, both of whom tried out for Boston and were highly praised by team scouts. Ted Williams hit .388 at the age of 38 in 1957, but there was little else for Boston fans to root for. Williams retired at the end of the 1960 season, famously hitting a home run in his final at-bat. The Sox finally became the last Major League team to field an African American African American

An African American is a member of an ethnic group [i] in the United States [i] whose ancestors, usual... 

 player when they promoted infielder Pumpsie Green Pumpsie Green


Elijah Jerry Green is a former Major League Baseball [i] backup infielder [i] who played with the Boston Red Sox [i] ... 

 from their AAA farm team in 1959.

Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski and the Impossible Dream

The 1960s also started poorly for the Red Sox, though 1961 saw the debut of Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski Carl Yastrzemski

Carl Michael Yastrzemski was an American [i] Major League Baseball [i] player.... 

, who developed into one of the better hitters of a pitching-rich decade.

Red Sox fans refer to 1967 as the year of the "Impossible Dream." The slogan refers to the hit song from the popular musical play "Man of La Mancha." The 1967 season is remembered as one of the great pennant races in baseball history because four teams were in the AL pennant race until almost the last game. The team had finished the 1966 season in ninth place, but they found new life with Yastrzemski as the team went to the World Series. Yastrzemski won the American League Triple Crown  and put forth what is considered one of the best seasons in baseball history. But the Red Sox lost the series — again to the St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals

----

The St. Louis Cardinals are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in St. Louis, Missouri [i]. ... 

, in seven games.

Although the Red Sox played competitive baseball for much of the next seven seasons, they never finished higher than second place in their division. The closest they came to a divisional title was 1972, when they lost by a half-game to the Detroit Tigers Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Detroit, Michigan [i]. ... 

 in unorthodox fashion. The start of the season was delayed by a players' strike, and the Red Sox further lost a game to a rainout that was never replayed, which caused the Red Sox to lose the division by a half-game — a game, in which the Tigers won, that the Red Sox would never get to play.

The Red Sox won the AL pennant in 1975, with Yastrzemski surrounded by other players such as rookie outfielders Jim Rice and Fred Lynn, veteran outfielder Dwight Evans Dwight Evans

Dwight Michael Evans, nicknamed "Dewey," is a former right fielder [i] and right-handed batter who playe ... 

, catcher Carlton Fisk, and pitchers Luis Tiant and eccentric junkballer Bill Lee. In the playoffs, the Sox swept the Oakland A's Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Oakland [i], California [i] ... 

 in three games.

Game 6 of the 1975 World Series 1975 World Series

[i] and [[Cincinnati Reds]... 

, against the Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Cincinnati, Ohio [i].... 

' "Big Red Machine," is considered as one of the greatest games in baseball's postseason history. The game went to extra innings and featured dramatic home runs by Bernie Carbo Bernie Carbo

Bernardo "Bernie" Carbo is a former Major League Baseball [i] right fielder [i]/designated hitter [i] wh ... 

 and Carlton Fisk , as well as a game-saving catch by Evans. Despite the series-tying win, the Red Sox lost Game 7.

In 1978, the Red Sox and the Yankees were involved in a tight pennant race. The Yankees were 14½ games behind the Red Sox in July, and on September 10, after completing a 4-game sweep of the Red Sox , the Yankees pulled into a tie for the divisional lead.

For the final three weeks of the season, the teams fought closely and the lead changed hands several times. By the final day of the season, the Yankees' magic number to win the division was one — which meant either a win over Cleveland or a Boston loss to Toronto would clinch the division for the Yankees. However, New York lost 9-2 and Boston won 5-1, forcing a one-game playoff to be held at Fenway Park on Monday, October 2.

Although Bucky Dent Bucky Dent

Russell Earl "Bucky" Dent, born Russell Earl O'Dey, is an American [i] former Major League Baseball [i] ... 

's three-run home run in the 7th inning off Mike Torrez just over the Green Monster Green Monster

The Green Monster is the nickname of the 37-foot, two-inch left field wall at Fenway Park [i], home to t ... 

 — which gave the Yankees their first lead — is the most remembered moment from the game, it was Reggie Jackson Reggie Jackson

Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr.... 

's solo home run in the 8th that proved the difference in the Yankees' 5-4 win, which ended with Yastrzemski popping out to Graig Nettles with Rick Burleson representing the tying run at third.

The '86 World Series and Morgan's Magic

After the 1978 playoff game, the Red Sox didn't reach the postseason for the next seven years, finishing no higher than third place in their division during that period. Carl Yastrzemski retired after the 1983 season, during which the Red Sox finished sixth in the seven-team AL East, posting their worst record since 1966.

However, in 1986, it appeared the slump may have been reversed. The team's offense had remained strong with Jim Rice, Dwight Evans Dwight Evans

Dwight Michael Evans, nicknamed "Dewey," is a former right fielder [i] and right-handed batter who playe ... 

, Don Baylor, and future Hall of Famer National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York [i], i ... 

 Wade Boggs. Roger Clemens Roger Clemens

William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "The Rocket", is one of the preeminent Major League [i] ... 

 led the pitching staff, posting a 24-4 record with a 2.48 ERA to win both the American League American League

The American League is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball [i] in the United States of America [i] ... 

 Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards. Clemens became the first starting pitcher to win both awards since Vida Blue Vida Blue

Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. is a former Major League Baseball [i] left-handed starting pitcher [i]. ... 

 in 1971. The Red Sox won the AL East for the first time in eleven seasons, prompting a playoff series against the California Angels Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a Major League Baseball [i] franchise based in Anaheim, California [i] ... 

 in the AL Championship Series.

The Series started poorly for the Red Sox. The teams split the first two games in Boston, but the Angels won the next two games at their home stadium, taking a 3-1 lead in the series. With the Angels poised to win the series, the Red Sox trailed 5-2 heading into the ninth inning of Game 5. A two-run homer Home run

In baseball [i], a home run is a base hit [i] in which the batter [i] is able to circle al ... 

 by Don Baylor cut the lead to one. With two outs and a runner on, and one strike away from elimination, Dave Henderson homered off Donnie Moore Donnie Moore

Donnie Ray Moore was an American [i] relief pitcher [i] in Major League Baseball [i] who p ... 

 to put Boston up 6-5. Although the Angels tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Red Sox won in the eleventh on a Henderson sacrifice fly off Moore. The Red Sox then found themselves with six and seven run wins at Fenway Park Fenway Park

Fenway Park is the home ballpark [i] of the Boston Red Sox [i] baseball [i] club.
... 

 in Games 6 and 7 to win the American League title for the first time since 1975.

In the 1986 World Series 1986 World Series

The 1986 [i] World Series [i], the 83rd playing of the modern championship series in Major League Baseball [i] ... 

 the Red Sox played the New York Mets New York Mets

The New York Mets are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Flushing [i], in the New York City [i]... 

. The Red Sox won the first two games in Shea Stadium Shea Stadium

William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium, is an American [i] ... 

, but lost the next two at Fenway, knotting the series at 2 games apiece. After a Game 5 win in Boston, the Red Sox returned to Flushing Meadows Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

Flushing MeadowsCorona Park, occasionally referred to as Flushing Meadows Park, is located in nort... 

 looking to garner their first championship in 68 years. However, Game Six would go down as one of the most devastating losses in club history. After a strong outing by Clemens, the Mets tied the game 3-3 in the eighth inning by scoring a run off reliever Relief pitcher

A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball [i] or softball [i] pitcher [i] who enters the game aft ... 

 Calvin Schiraldi. The game went to extra innings, where the Red Sox took a 5-3 lead in the top of the tenth. After two outs, the Red Sox were one strike away from breaking their championship drought. However, things went terribly wrong, culminating in one of the most infamous moments in major league history. After three straight singles and a wild pitch by Bob Stanley, the Mets tied the game at five. Although it looked like the Red Sox might have been able to extend the game when Mookie Wilson Mookie Wilson

William Hayward "Mookie" Wilson is a former Major League Baseball [i] outfielder [i] who played with the ... 

 hit a slow ground ball to first baseman First baseman

First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball [i] diamond which must be touched in ... 

 Bill Buckner Bill Buckner

William Joseph "Bill" Buckner is a former Major League Baseball [i] player who, despite an impressive 20 ... 

 for what would have been the final out of the inning, the ball rolled through Buckner's legs, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run from second.
While Buckner was singled out as the biggest goat, many observers — as well as both Wilson and Buckner — have noted that even if Buckner had fielded the ball cleanly, Wilson possibly would still have been safe , leaving the game-winning run at third with two out. After dropping behind 3-0, the New York Mets then won Game 7, concluding the devastating collapse and feeding the myth that the Red Sox were actually "cursed."

The Red Sox did return to the postseason in 1988. With the club in fourth place early in the 1988 season, manager John McNamara was fired and replaced by Joe Morgan Joe Morgan

Joseph Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball [i] second baseman [i], considered by many as th ... 

. Immediately the club won 12 games in a row, and 19 of 20 overall, to surge to the AL East title in what would be referred to as Morgan's Magic. But the magic was short-lived, as the team was swept by the Oakland Athletics Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Oakland [i], California [i] ... 

 in the ALCS. Ironically, the MVP of that Series was former Red Sox pitcher and Baseball Hall of Fame player Dennis Eckersley, who saved all four wins for Oakland. Two years later, in 1990, the Red Sox would again win the division and face the Athletics in the ALCS. However, the outcome was the same, with the A's sweeping the Series in four.

After the Yawkeys

Tom Yawkey died in 1976, and his wife Jean Yawkey took control of the team until her death in 1992, after which their initials were placed on the Left field wall Green Monster

The Green Monster is the nickname of the 37-foot, two-inch left field wall at Fenway Park [i], home to t ... 

 in Morse code Morse code

Morse code is a method for transmitting information, using standardized sequences of short and long mark... 

. After Jean Yawkey's death, control of the team passed to the Yawkey Trust, led by John Harrington. The trust sold the team in 2002, concluding 70 years of Yawkey ownership.

In 1994, General Manager Lou Gorman was replaced by Dan Duquette, a Massachusetts native who had worked for the Montreal Expos Montreal Expos

[i], [[Canada]... 

. Duquette revived the team's farm system Minor league baseball

Minor baseball [i] leagues are North America [i]n professional baseball leagues that compete at a level... 

, which during his tenure produced players such as Nomar Garciaparra, Carl Pavano, and David Eckstein. Duquette also spent money on free agents, notably an eight-year, $160 million deal for Manny Ramírez Manny Ramírez

... 

 after the 2001 season.

Many fans were upset when Roger Clemens Roger Clemens

William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "The Rocket", is one of the preeminent Major League [i] ... 

 and Mo Vaughn Mo Vaughn

Maurice Samuel 'Mo' Vaughn, nicknamed "Hit Dog", was a Major League Baseball [i] first baseman [i] from ... 

 left the team as free agents. After Clemens had turned 30 and then had four seasons, 1993-96, which were by his standards mediocre at best, Duquette said the pitcher was entering "the twilight Twilight

Twilight is the time before sunrise [i] or after sunset [i] when sunlight [i] scattered [i] i ... 

 of his career." Clemens went on to pitch well for another ten years and win four more Cy Young Cy Young

Denton True Young was a pre-eminent baseball [i] pitcher during the 1890s and 1900s. ... 

 awards. In 1999, Duquette called Fenway Park "economically obsolete" and, along with Red Sox ownership, led a push for a new stadium. Despite support from the Massachusetts Legislature Massachusetts General Court

The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature [i] of the U.S. state [i] of Massachusetts [i]. ... 

 and other politicians, issues with buying out neighboring property and steadfast opposition within Boston's city council eventually doomed the project.

On the field, the Red Sox had some success during this period, but were unable to return to the World Series. In 1995, they won the newly-realigned American League East, finishing seven games ahead of the Yankees. However, they were swept in three games in a series against the Cleveland Indians Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Cleveland, Ohio [i]. ... 

. Their postseason losing streak reached 13 straight games, dating back to the 1986 World Series 1986 World Series

The 1986 [i] World Series [i], the 83rd playing of the modern championship series in Major League Baseball [i] ... 

.

In 1998, the Red Sox dealt pitcher Pitcher

In baseball [i], the pitcher is the player who throws the baseball from the pitcher's mound [i] toward t ... 

s Tony Armas, Jr. Tony Armas, Jr.

Antonio Jos Armas, better known as Tony Armas, Jr., is a Major League Baseball [i] right-handed starting pitcher [i] ... 

 and Carl Pavano to the Montreal Expos Montreal Expos

[i], [[Canada]... 

 in exchange for pitcher Pedro Martínez Pedro Martínez

Pedro Jaime Martnez is a baseball [i] pitcher [i] who plays for the New York Mets [i]. ... 

. Martínez became the anchor of the team's pitching staff and turned in several outstanding seasons. In 1998, the team won the American League Wild Card, but again lost the American League Division Series to the Indians.

A year later, the 1999 Red Sox Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are a Major League Baseball [i] team in the American League. ... 

 were finally able to overturn their fortunes against the Indians. Cleveland took a 2-0 series lead, but Boston won the next three games behind strong pitching by Derek Lowe, Pedro Martínez and his brother Ramón Martínez. Game 4's 23-7 win by the Red Sox was the highest-scoring playoff game in major league history. Game 5 began with the Indians taking a 5-2 lead after two innings, but Pedro Martínez, nursing a shoulder injury, came on in the fourth inning and pitched six innings without allowing a hit while the team's offense rallied for a 12-8 win behind two home runs from outfielder Troy O'Leary. After the ALDS victory, the Red Sox lost the American League Championship Series to the Yankees, 4 games to one.

In 2000, the Red Sox failed to take advantage of Nomar Garciaparra's career year and Pedro Martinez's Pedro Martínez

Pedro Jaime Martnez is a baseball [i] pitcher [i] who plays for the New York Mets [i]. ... 

 historic season. Other standouts included reliever Derek Lowe and outfielders Carl Everett Carl Everett

Carl Edward Everett was an outfielder [i] in Major League Baseball [i]. ... 

 and Dante Bichette, but the rest of the team was weak, and the Red Sox stumbled to an 85-77 record.

2001 was much the same. Though the Red Sox got an outstanding performance from new acquisition Manny Ramirez Manny Ramírez

... 

 and a good year from Trot Nixon Trot Nixon

Christopher Trotman "Trot" Nixon is an outfielder [i] for the Boston Red Sox [i] of Major League Baseball [i]... 

, Garciaparra spent much of the season on the disabled list, and Martinez pitched just 116 innings. To top it off, the Red Sox fired manager Jimy Williams and replaced him with pitching coach Joe Kerrigan, under whom they went 17-26.

New ownership, new era

In 2002, the Red Sox were sold by Yawkey trustee and president John Harrington to a consortium headed by principal owner John Henry. Tom Werner Tom Werner

Thomas C. "Tom" Werner is an American [i] television producer [i] and businessman.
... 

 served as executive chairman, Larry Lucchino Larry Lucchino

Larry Lucchino, born in Pittsburgh [i], Pennsylvania [i], is the current Presid ... 

 served as president and vice chairman was CEO Les Otten. Dan Duquette was fired as GM of the club on February 28, with former Angels GM Mike Port taking the helm for the 2002 season.

Under the new ownership, the Red Sox signed outfielder Johnny Damon Johnny Damon

Johnny David Damon is a Major League Baseball [i] outfielder [i] who plays center field [i] ... 

 and traded for outfielder Cliff Floyd and relief pitcher Alan Embree. Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez Manny Ramírez

... 

, and Floyd all hit well, while Pedro Martinez Pedro Martínez

Pedro Jaime Martnez is a baseball [i] pitcher [i] who plays for the New York Mets [i]. ... 

 put up his usual outstanding numbers. Derek Lowe, newly converted into a starter, won 20 games -- becoming the first player to save 20 games and win 20 games in back-to-back seasons. The Red Sox won 93 games but they finished 10 1/2 games behind the Yankees for the division and 6 behind the Angels for the wild card.

In the offseason, Port was replaced by Yale Yale University

Yale University is a private university in New Haven, Connecticut [i]. ... 

 graduate Theo Epstein Theo Epstein

Theo N. Epstein is the Executive Vice President [i]/General Manager [i] of the Boston Red Sox [i]... 

 after Oakland's Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Oakland [i], California [i] ... 

 Billy Beane turned down the position. At the age of 28, Epstein became the youngest general manager in the history of the Major Leagues up to that point. He was raised in Brookline Brookline, Massachusetts

Brookline is a town in Norfolk County [i], Massachusetts [i]. ... 

.

2003: Cowboy Up

The 2003 team took a new image through the season. With offensively loaded players like Manny Ramirez Manny Ramírez

... 

 and Nomar Garciaparra on the team already, the 2003 Sox got surprises from 3B Bill Mueller , 1B Kevin Millar , and a future legend named David Ortiz David Ortiz

David Ortiz, born David Amrico Ortiz Arias, is a Major League Baseball [i] first baseman [i]/designated hitter [i] ... 

  who started the season as a platoon player with Mueller, Shea Hillenbrand, and Jeremy Giambi. With Ortiz upset with the playing time he received he told GM Epstein he wanted to be traded. Epstein, aware of Ortiz's potential, traded Hillenbrand to the Arizona Diamondbacks Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Phoenix, Arizona [i]. ... 

 for pitcher Pitcher

In baseball [i], the pitcher is the player who throws the baseball from the pitcher's mound [i] toward t ... 

 Byung-Hyun Kim. Though Kim fizzled, Ortiz ended up becoming a legend .

"Cowboy Up" was this team's rally cry. Whenever the team was trailing, the players would show a video from Millar's college days, showing him singing Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" rather poorly. The rally cry worked, as the Sox led the league in come from behind wins. With all of this help, the Red Sox won the Wild Card in 2003.

In the 2003 American League Division Series, the Red Sox rallied from a 2-0 series deficit against the Oakland Athletics Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball [i] team based in Oa