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2001-Present
2001
The Red Sox signed superstar slugger Manny Ramirez off the free
agent market. Ramirez's impact was felt immediately. He clubbed
a three-run homer in the first pitch he saw in a home uniform at
Fenway Park. On April 4, Hideo Nomo pitched Boston's first no-hitter
since 1965. The start against the Orioles at Camden Yards was Nomo's
first in a Boston uniform. But injuries to Nomar Garciaparra, Pedro
Martinez and Jason Varitek decimated any chance Boston had of qualifying
for postseason. Manager Jimy Williams was fired on Aug. 16 and replaced
by pitching coach Joe Kerrigan. The Red Sox went 17-26 the rest
of the way.
2002
The Red Sox began a new era, as the ownership group led by John
Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino officially took over on Feb.
27. The next day, GM Dan Duquette was fired and replaced on an interim
basis by Mike Port. On March 5, Joe Kerrigan was fired as manager.
He was replaced on March 11 by Grady Little, who had formerly been
a coach in Boston under Jimy Williams. The Red Sox went 93-69 under
Little, but missed the playoffs for the third straight year. Pedro
Martinez and Derek Lowe gave the Sox their first 20-win tandem since
1949. The highlight of the season was Lowe's no-hitter at Fenway
on April 27 against the Devil Rays. Manny Ramirez, despite missing
six weeks with a fractured left index finger, won his first batting
title.
1976-2000
1978
Bucky Dent Prevails. In any other park, Bucky Dent's three-run home
run likely would have been a routine fly ball for an out. But in
Boston's Fenway Park, which isn't always friendly to the Olde Town
Team, it was the final nail that sealed the coffin of the Red Sox'
1978 season.
1979
Yaz Hits Number 3,000. A soft ground ball made a path through the
infield, out of the reach of defender's gloves and into the plush
green grass of Fenway. It was a defining moment of the game, a quiet
single that reminded us of how simple baseball could be and a monumental
statistic that told the story of a ballplayer for the ages.
1983
Carl Yastrzemski's Last Game -- Yaz Day. "New England,"
he said. " I love you." Carl Yastrzemski was ready to
play the last game of an amazing Red Sox career. It was "Yaz
Day" at Fenway Park. A late summer afternoon where the hard-working
left fielder would stand before the shadow of the "Green Monster"
for the last time.
1986
Roger Clemens Fans 20. Red Sox manager John McNamara said it was
the most awesome display of pitching he had ever seen. Roger Clemens
warmed up a cannon before a Tuesday night game in April of 1986
and shot down 20 Seattle Mariners by night's end to break the Major
League record for strikeouts in a nine inning game.
Dave Henderson's Game Five Homer. Anaheim was preparing for a history's
worth of celebration. Its Angels were one out away from the World
Series, one strike from adding another chapter to the book of Red
Sox playoff misfortunes and one moment away from labeling Dave Henderson
as the goat of Game 5 in the American League Championship Series
of 1986.
1987
It was an unsatisfying season team-wise, as Boston followed its
1986 pennant by going 78-84. However, there were some terrific individual
performances. Roger Clemens solidified his second consecutive Cy
Young award by earning win No. 20 on the final day of the season.
Wade Boggs won his third consecutive batting title, and fourth in
five years. The hitting machine also set a career high in homers
with 24.
1988
The Red Sox made a managerial change after the All-Star break, as
coach Joe Morgan took over for John McNamara. The Red Sox ripped
off victories in Morgan's first 12 games, and 19 out of his first
20. They also won 24 in a row at home. The period became known as
"Morgan Magic", and culminated with the Red Sox winning
their second division title in three years. The joy ended there,
as Boston was swept by the A's in four straight in the ALCS. On
an individual note, Wade Boggs won his fifth batting title and Mike
Greenwell finished second to Jose Canseco in AL MVP voting.
1990
In one of the most memorable plays in Red Sox history, Tom Brunansky
made a diving catch in the right field corner to save the final
game of the regular season and clinch the AL East for the Sox. It
was Boston's third division title in five years. However, the Sox
were again swept by the A's in the ALCS, extending their postseason
losing streak to 10 games.
1991
Roger Clemens won his third and final Cy Young in a Red Sox uniform
by going 18-10 with a 2.62 ERA. He also registered 241 strikeouts.
Despite a second-place finish, manager Joe Morgan was fired the
day after the season. He was replaced by former Sox third baseman
Butch Hobson.
1995
Kevin Kennedy took over the managerial reins from Butch Hobson,
and Boston proved to be one of the surprise stories in baseball.
The Sox won the AL East with a record of 86-58. Mo Vaughn emerged
into a superstar, earning AL MVP honors. Tim Wakefield was plucked
off the scrap heap by GM Dan Duquette and shocked the baseball world
by beginning the season 14-1. However, the Red Sox were again swept
out of the playoffs, this time by the Indians in three games in
the newly formatted Division Series. It brought Boston's postseason
losing streak to 13 games.
1996
In his final season with the Red Sox, Roger Clemens tied his own
Major League record by registering 20 strikeouts against the Tiger
on Sept. 18. The Red Sox made a late wild-card bid, but fell short.
Mo Vaughn had the best statistical season of his career, smashing
44 homers and driving in 143 runs. Manager Kevin Kennedy was fired
shortly after the season, and replaced by Jimy Williams.
1997
The Red Sox were treated to the arrival of a rookie named Nomar
Garciaparra, who immediately turned into a superstar. The dynamic
shortstop won Rookie of the Year honors by hitting .306 with 122
runs, 209 hits, 44 doubles, 11 triples, 30 homers, 98 RBIs and 22
stolen bases. But the season was a disappointment, as Boston went
78-84 in Jimy Williams' first season as manager.
1998
After acquiring star right-hander Pedro Martinez in the winter,
the Red Sox produced their first 90-win season since 1996. The 92-70
finish was good enough to vault them into the playoffs as the AL
Wild Card. There was no sophomore jinx for Nomar Garciaparra, as
he finished second in AL MVP balloting. The Red Sox snapped their
postseason losing streak of 13 games by clubbing the Indians in
Game 1. Mo Vaughn blasted two homers, pacing an 11-3 victoy. The
Red Sox were eliminated by losing the next three games. Vaughn,
a free agent after the season, signed a six-year contract with the
Anaheim Angels.
1999
Without Mo Vaughn, the Red Sox were not without hope. In fact, the
Red Sox improved upon their win total from the season before, finishing
94-68. Jimy Williams was named AL Manager of the Year. Nomar Garciaparra
won his first batting title. Pedro Martinez was the best pitcher
in baseball, going 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA and 313 strikeouts. The
Sox again won the AL Wild Card. They also won their first postseason
series since 1986, rallying back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the
Indians in five games. Martinez was heroic in the Game 5 clincher,
tossing six no-hit innings out of the bullpen despite an injury
to his right shoulder. Boston lost the ALCS to the Yankees in five
games.
2000
Nomar Garciaparra earned his second consecutive batting title. Pedro
Martinez earned his third Cy Young award in four years. But it wasn't
enough to get the Red Sox to the playoffs for a third consecutive
season. Boston finished 85-77, 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees in
the AL East.
1951-1975
1953
A Record Breaking Day. Giving new meaning to the term 7th inning
stretch, the Red Sox scored 17 runs in one inning against the Detroit
Tigers.
1955
Frank Malzone -- Not since the World War I days of Larry Gardner
(1908-1917) had the Red Sox seen so reliable a third baseman as
they had in Frank Malzone.
1960
Carl Yastremski -- In 1961, a highly touted rookie from Long Island,
NY stepped into the hallowed shadow of Fenway's left field wall
to guard an area just vacated by a legend.
1960
A "Parting Shot" -- Never has an athlete finished in such
style. In his last at bat of a Hall of Fame career, Ted Williams
sent 10,454 fans into a frenzy when he launched a 1-1 pitch from
Baltimore Orioles' pitcher Jack Fisher high into the damp gray sky
and into the Red Sox bullpen for a home run.
1963
Rico Petrocelli -- Rico Petrocelli joined the Boston Red Sox in
1965 as a shortstop that would develop a powerful stroke at the
plate. His bat guided him into numerous categories of the club's
record books but it was his family that guided him as a person.
1964
Tony Conigliaro -- He was a hometown hero with a home-run swing
and a Hollywood-handsome face. "Tony C," as he became
known to fans, burst onto the baseball scene in Fenway Park in 1964,
taking 24 homers over the "Green Monster" in 111 games
while batting .290.
1967
Making his major league debut in Yankee Stadium, 21-year-old lefty
Billy Rohr came within one out of pitching a no-hitter. An Elston
Howard single to left with two outs in the ninth ruined the rookie's
shot at immortality, but his unforgettable performance will live
forever in Red Sox lore.
Yaz and "The Impossible Dream." Has there ever been a
better example of the cream rising to the top? With the Sox fighting
for their first pennant in 21 years, Carl Yastrzemski picked up
his team, placed it squarely on his back and carried them to "The
Impossible Dream", that was 1967.
1969
Carlton Fisk -- Carlton Fisk was in control from the start. He was
a big, rugged, powerful presence both behind the plate and over
it, in a Red Sox career that lasted a decade.
1971
Luis Tiant -- Snatched from the minors during the 1971 season, Luis
Taint resurrected his career and a pitching staff during the 1970's.
After a 1-7 record in 1971, "El Tiante" re-discovered
his magic the next year and went 15-6. Three 20 win seasons, a trip
to the World Series, and countless chants of "Loo-ie, Loo-ie"
followed.
1972
Dwight Evans -- Dwight Evans patrolled the spacious right field
of Fenway Park with a special combination of grit and hustle mixed
with a rifle of an arm. He was a confident outfielder who loved
to hit the ball.
1974
Fred Lynn -- In 1975, a rookie from USC made baseball history while
carving out a place in the hearts of Red Sox fans. Fred Lynn's classic
swing and spectacular center field play earned him both the 1975
Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Awards, an accomplishment
that had neither been done before nor done since.
Jim Rice -- In the amazing fraternity that is left field at Fenway
Park, it was only fitting that Jim Rice would continue the saga
started by Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski before the famed green
wall.
1975
A Rookie Ignites. Years before Robert Redford starred as "The
Natural," a kid from California joined the Red Sox and played
with such style and grace that it seems Roy Hobbs was patented after
him. Fred Lynn started his first full season in 1975, and went on
to set history as the only player to be both Rookie of the Year
and MVP in the same season.
Bernie Carbo's Biggest Hit. It remains as the greatest World Series
game ever played. Baseball's two finest teams, both loaded with
talent, locked horns for the 1975 Fall Classic: the Boston Red Sox
vs. the Cincinnati Reds. Never has a World Series game encompassed
everything baseball can be: dramatic defense, clutch hitting and
extra inning heroics.
Carlton Fisk Makes History. If there was ever a game to use as a
measuring stick for which future World Series games will be compared,
it is Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. Stellar defense, clutch hitting,
extra inning theatrics and World Series pressure, all underscored
by the nostalgic backdrop of Fenway Park, set the stage for a game
that will never be forgotten.
1926-1950
1933
Tom Yawkey -- Tom Yawkey took over a struggling Boston franchise
in 1933 and spent the following four decades building a successful
ballclub that mirrored the passion of its owner.
1934
Lefty Grove -- He came to the Red Sox with a resumé that
was as impressive as the fastball his left arm uncorked.
1935
Joe Cronin -- If ever there was a man who deserved to be called
"Mr. Baseball," it was Joe Cronin. His playing career
as a shortstop began in 1926 in Pittsburgh. In 1928, Cronin joined
the Washington Senators and was appointed player/manager in 1933,
capturing his first pennant that year.
1936
Jimmy Foxx -- At first glance it would appear Jimmie Foxx and Fenway
Park were made for each other. In fact, on his arrival in Boston
after owner Tom Yawkey purchased the big first baseman from Philadelphia,
Foxx said, "My dream has come true."
1937
Bobby Doerr -- Although he played in the shadow of players like
Ted Williams and Jimmie Foxx, Bobby Doerr has to be considered one
of the greatest Red Sox players ever. During his 14 year Hall of
Fame career, Doerr established himself as one of the most productive
and consistent second basemen of his era.
1939
Ted Williams -- Considered by many to be the greatest hitter to
ever play the game of baseball, Ted Williams is a true personification
of the Red Sox mystique. He amassed 521 home runs, including a dramatic
farewell homer on his last at bat in 1960.
1941
"Teddy Ballgame" Goes .406. In just his third year, at
only 23 years of age, Ted Williams went into the last day of the
1941 season hitting .3996, an average that officially rounds up
to .400.
1942
Johnny Pesky -- If anyone can say he eats, sleeps and breathes Red
Sox baseball it is Johnny Pesky. Pesky started his Red Sox career
in 1942 and with a few years off here and there, it has never ended.
1947
Mel Parnell -- He is the winningest left-hand pitcher in Red Sox
history and prior to the emergence of the hard-throwing "Rocket"
Roger Clemens in the '80s and '90s, it was Mel Parnell who stood
second on the Red Sox all-time wins list, second only to the immortal
Cy Young
1901-1925
1901
Denton True "Cy" Young -- More commonly known as "Cy,"
the big right hander spent nearly 20 years in the big leagues and
set the pitching standard for all of baseball to follow. He was
the only pitcher in baseball's first 100 years to win 500 games,
including three no-hit shutouts and a perfect game on May 5, 1904.
1907
Tris Speaker -- "Spoke" was born in a center fielder's
mold, which he broke soon after he retired in 1928. Nobody manning
center field has been able to recreate it since.
1908
Smokey Joe Wood -- He arrived in Boston at the end of the 1908 season
with a load of talent in his right arm, making him the successor
of the great Cy Young.
1912
Fenway Park Opens. Built on his own land in the Fenway section of
Boston, John Taylor, moved his Boston Red Sox from the Huntington
Avenue Grounds, which they leased, to Fenway Park in 1912. The new
stadium was built specifically for the Red Sox.
One writer called it "Louis and Dempsey in spiked shoes."
Walter Johnson was the champion and "Smokey" Joe Wood
was the challenger in one of the most hyped pitching matchups in
baseball history.
1914
Babe Ruth -- You'll rarely find a name in baseball recognized by
so many people. From his portly physique to his legendary swing,
to his affection for fans, George Herman "Babe" Ruth has
often been called the best baseball player of all time.
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