Boston Red Sox
From BR Bullpen
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Franchise |
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Also known as Boston Americans, Boston Somersets, and Boston Pilgrims Franchise Record: 8358-7884 World Series Titles: 7 (1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007) American League Pennants: 12 (1903, 1904, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 1946, 1967, 1975, 1986, 2004, 2007) Playoffs: 17 (1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 1946, 1967, 1975, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007) Franchise Players: Ted Williams, Tris Speaker, Carl Yastrzemski, Jimmie Foxx, Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez |
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[edit] Team History
The Boston Red Sox were created in 1901 in the American League, when the league decided to claim Major League status as a rival to the National League. They were not known as the Red Sox until 1908; before that time, they were refered to by various unofficial names such as the Boston Americans, Boston Pilgrims or Boston Somersets. Early in the century, the Red Sox won World Series titles in 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, and 1918. They won the AL pennant in 1904, but New York Giants manager John McGraw refused to play the American League champions.
The Red Sox got back to the World Series in 1946, but lost in 7 games. They returned in 1967, 1975, and 1986, losing each series in 7 games. In 1978, The Red Sox blew a nine game lead over the New York Yankees and lost a one-game playoff, which featured Bucky Dent's seventh inning three-run homer over Fenway Park's Green Monster. The Red Sox lost the ALCS in 1988 and 1990 in 4 game sweeps to the Oakland A's, the 1995 ALDS to the Cleveland Indians and the 1999 and 2003 ALCS to the Yankees.
In 2004, the Yankees took a three games to none lead over the Red Sox in the ALCS. However, the Red Sox came back to tie Game 4 in the 9th inning (at Fenway Park) off Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera, highlighted by Dave Roberts's steal of second base followed by a game-tying single from Bill Mueller. Later, David Ortiz won the game with a home-run in the bottom of the 12th inning. Boston staged another late-inning rally in Game 5, with Roberts again scoring the tying run. Ortiz won that game with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the 14th inning. The series then moved to Yankee Stadium and Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, who had a severe ankle injury, was able to win Game 6. The Red Sox would then beat the Yankees in Game 7 to win the ALCS. The Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series to win their first World Championship since 1918.
The Sox were a wild-card entry in the post-season 2005 and lost to the Chicago White Sox in the Division Series.
The Red Sox finished second in the AL East for 7 consecutive seasons (1998 - 2004), and in 2005 tied the Yankees for first in the division, but were awarded the wild card due to a 9-10 head-to-head record against the Yankees.
The Sox finished first in the AL East in 2007.
[edit] Retired Numbers
(Red Sox Policy on Number Retiring: Member of Baseball Hall of Fame & 10 Years as a Red Sox)
[edit] Other Notable Players
- Wade Boggs
- Rick Burleson
- Bill Carrigan
- Roger Clemens
- Jimmy Collins
- Tony Conigliaro
- Johnny Damon
- Dom DiMaggio
- Dennis Eckersley
- Dwight Evans
- Rick Ferrell
- Dave Ferriss
- Jimmie Foxx
- Nomar Garciaparra
- Larry Gardner
- Billy Goodman
- Lefty Grove
- Harry Hooper
- Tex Hughson
- Bruce Hurst
- Jackie Jensen
- Duffy Lewis
- Jim Lonborg
- Derek Lowe
- Fred Lynn
- Frank Malzone
- Pedro Martinez
- Bill Monbouquette
- David Ortiz
- Mel Parnell
- Johnny Pesky
- Rico Petrocelli
- Dick Radatz
- Manny Ramirez
- Jim Rice
- Pete Runnels
- Babe Ruth
- Curt Schilling
- Reggie Smith
- Tris Speaker
- Bob Stanley
- Luis Tiant
- Jason Varitek
- Tim Wakefield
- Smoky Joe Wood
- Cy Young
[edit] Team Executives
| Red Sox General Managers | |
|---|---|
| Team | Years |
| Eddie Collins | 1933 to 1947 |
| Joe Cronin | 1948 to January 15, 1959 |
| Bucky Harris | January 15, 1959 to September 27, 1960 |
| Dick O'Connell | September 27, 1960 to October 6, 1962 |
| Pinky Higgins | October 6, 1962 to September 16, 1965 |
| Dick O'Connell | September 16, 1965 to October 24, 1977 |
| Haywood Sullivan | October 24, 1977 to February 2, 1984 |
| Lou Gorman | February 2, 1984 to 1993 |
| Dan Duquette | January 27, 1994 to 2002 |
| Mike Port (interim) | 2002 to November 25, 2002 |
| Theo Epstein | November 25, 2002 to October 31, 2005 |
| Ben Cherington/Jed Hoyer | 2005 to 2006 |
| Theo Epstein | 2006 to present |
[edit] Further Reading
- Gary Gillette and Pete Palmer, ed.: The Ultimate Red Sox Companion: A Complete Statistical and Reference Guide, Maple Street Press, Hingham, MA, 2007.
- David Laurila: Interviews from Red Sox Nation, Maple Street Press, Hingham, MA, 2006.
- Joshua R. Pahigian: The Red Sox in the Playoffs: A Postseason History, 1903-2005, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2006.
- Chaz Scoggins: Game of My Life: 20 Stories of Red Sox Baseball, Sports Publishing LLC, Champaign, IL, 2006.
- Troy Soos: Before the Curse: The Glory Days of New England Baseball, 1858-1918, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2006.


