1975 Boston Red Sox season
Encyclopedia
The Boston Red Sox
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East
with a record of 95 wins and 65 losses. Following a sweep of the Oakland Athletics
in the ALCS
, the Red Sox lost the World Series
to the Cincinnati Reds
in 7 games (similar to 1946
and 1967
).
should have dawned for Red Sox fans with bright hopes. After all, the team had made a legitimate run for the pennant the previous year, and this time the team would have Carlton Fisk
and Rick Wise
for full seasons. Rick Burleson
had surprised everyone by playing outstanding shortstop and hitting higher in the majors than he ever had in the minors. In addition, they were the two rookies who gave every indication they would be phenoms, Fred Lynn
and Jim Rice
. But the memory of the collapse of 1974
still hung heavy over New England
fans.
At first most of the pre-season talk had to do with the decision by Tony Conigliaro
to try one more comeback and with the salary hassle concerning Luis Tiant
, who felt he deserved more than $70,000 he was earning and wouldn't show up at Winter Haven, Florida
, causing team owner Tom Yawkey
to meet with "El Tiante", agree on a raise (to 90,000) and get the Sox pitching ace back in camp.
Still, it didn't take too long before the stories and pictures coming out of Florida about the two phenoms got Sox fans thinking. The betting lines in Las Vegas
had Boston as a long shot, although not the 100-1 shot they were in 1967
. The odds against them went up, however, after Fisk, returning form the serious knee injury of 1974, was hit in the right arm and broke it. Even the positive talk about young Mr. Lynn couldn't drive away the gloom over Fisk's injury. Catching is absolutely vital to a successful team, and Fisk was going to be sidelined for at least a couple of months.
as a football linebacker, but gave up football for baseball, seemed to be doing it all. Not only did he hit and run and field, he was a good-looking, charming young man. He would be a hit with Boston
and New England fans, no question. What's more, he was hitting with power, and with the way big Jim Rice was clobbering the baseball, Boston appeared to have a real power punch that could only get better when Fisk got back into the lineup.
Rick Wise
, back after a year of shoulder trouble and then a broken finger, looked ready to boost a pitching staff, which already had Luis Tiant, Bill Lee
, Reggie Cleveland
, and the stringbean flame-thrower Roger Moret
. The bullpen also looked strong, with Dick Drago
as the closer and hard-thrower Dick Pole
and veteran Diego Segui
.
Additionally, the word on Tony Conigliaro
was encouraging, and that boosted spirits back home. Carl Yastrzemski
would be playing first base, and after three short trials in previous years Cecil Cooper
was going to make this team and probably be the designated hitter
.
from the California Angels. The Angels would get cash and a player to be named later, the quality depending on what Doyle did for the Sox. Little did anyone know this would be even better than the pickup of Jerry Adair
back in 1967.
was playing there and doing an adequate job, but he was injury-prone, and the Sox had been particularly anixous about him ever since he had been hit in the face by a Nolan Ryan
fastball back in April, 1974. Doug had seemed tentative at the plate since the beaning, and Boston had concerns about his durability and about his ability to stand in there on inside pitches.
was sent to Pawtucket
in the minor leagues. Tony's attempt to come back hadn't really worked out. On his first at bat he homered for the Red Sox, but soon thereafter it became apparent that the eye damage had been too great and that the once-promising career now was over for good.
So, the Red Sox got Denny Doyle into the lineup, and no one could get him out of it for the rest of the season. He ended up hitting .310, had a 22-game hitting streak and was outstanding in the field. In fact, he cemented an infield which featured Carl Yastrzemski
at first, Rick Burleson
at short and Rico Petrocelli
at third. A major step toward the pennant had been taken with the Doyle deal.
having two big games - a triple to start a winning rally in the opener and a homer to win the second. Unable to sleep, Fred Lynn got up, got dressed and walked the streets of downtown Detroit for an hour or two after 6 a.m. Still restless, he had breakfast and then went to Tiger Stadium to get extra batting practice. Whatever it was in the recipe that worked, it worked remarkably well.
In the four-run first inning he crashed a homer into the upper deck in right. In the three-run second he clubbed one off the roof of the upper deck in left center. In the third he just missed when his long drive to left center hit the top of the fence and came back for a triple. In the sixth he beat out an infield single, and then in the ninth he smashed a three-run homer to the upper deck in right again. Lynn had hit his 12th, 13th and 14th home runs, had knocked in 10 runs, tying the Red Sox record for RBIs in a game, and Luis Tiant had no trouble winning his ninth game, 15-1.
The Sox went in and out of first place three different times in late June, but at the end of the month they led the New York Yankees
by a game. The Baltimore Orioles
were 7.5 games back, five games under .500.
suggested that whereas his team would emulate the 1974 Baltimore Orioles season
, picking up a game a week, Boston would emulate its 1974 team and fade, which made for good reading.
in Minnesota and did the same to the Texas Rangers
in Texas, and by the All-Star break they held a 4.5 game lead over the Yankees and Brewers.
The Sox then put together a 10-game winning streak, moved 6 ahead of the Yankees and finally put the Yankees away with a three-out-of-four series victory in New York, featuring two shutouts pitched by left-handers, on Sunday, July 27. Bill Lee
beat Catfish Hunter
in the first 1-0, with Lynn making a spectacular play on a Graig Nettles
drive. As Lynn ran into left-center field, he dove for the ball and caught the ball in his glove. When he hit the ground, the ball popped out of the glove, but Lynn reached up and grabbed it again before it hit the ground.
pitched his seventh win, against one loss, in a 6-0 Boston win in the nightcap, featuring Yaz's 12th home Run. By the end of July Boston enjoyed an eight-game lead over the Orioles, who had moved to 51-47, over .500 for the first time.
The lead got to 9.5 games and then began to dwindle down to six by September 1. But there was no question that the fans now believed: the crowds filled Fenway. Boston next took two from the Orioles at Baltimore. Weaver was subdued, and Boston led by seven. By September 15, the Sox had not collapsed as they had in 1974, but the lead over the Orioles was down to four.
. The crowd chanted "Loo-ee!, Loo-ee!, Loo-ee!", and he responded, twirling, looking into center and then blowing the ball by the Orioles. Palmer was good, but Loo-eee! was better. Boston won 2-0 on homers by Fisk and Petrocelli.
It stayed close until Friday, September 26. It had rained for five days. Contingency plans to make up rained-out games had been made, but it became academic on Friday,for the rain had stopped. But the field at Fenway was soggy, and there was a lot of fog. Nevertheless, they played a twi-night doubleheader with Cleveland. Tiant won the opener 4-0, besting Dennis Eckersley
in a game in which part of left field was in fog.
won the second game, also 4-0 and the Sox clinched a tie for first. The next day the Yankees finished off the Orioles, winning a twin bill at New York
. Boston was thus the AL East champ, and Oakland
was their next obstacle on the way ot the World Series.
to advance to their first World Series since 1967
.
In the historic World Series that followed, it came down to Carl Yastrzemski with the Red Sox trailing 4 to 3 with 2 outs in the 9th inning of Game 7. Yaz's drive fell into the hands of Reds outfielder César Gerónimo
, and Boston's magical season fell one game short. Boston would not be back in the World Series for 11 years.
NL Cincinnati Reds
(4) vs. AL Boston Red Sox (3)>
Game
Score
Date
Location
Attendance
Time of Game
1
Reds – 0, Red Sox – 6
October 11
Fenway Park
35,205
2:27
2
Reds – 3, Red Sox – 2
October 12
Fenway Park
35,205
2:38
3
Red Sox – 5, Reds – 6 (10 inns)
October 14
Riverfront Stadium
55,392
3:03
4
Red Sox – 5, Reds – 4
October 15
Riverfront Stadium
55,667
2:52
5
Red Sox – 2, Reds – 6
October 16
Riverfront Stadium
56,393
2:23
6
Reds – 6, Red Sox – 7 (12 inns)
October 21
Fenway Park
35,205
4:01
7
Reds – 4, Red Sox – 3
October 22
Fenway Park
35,205
2:52
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"...
season was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
with a record of 95 wins and 65 losses. Following a sweep of the Oakland Athletics
1975 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1975 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses. They went on to play the Boston Red Sox in the 1975 American League Championship Series, losing in three straight games....
in the ALCS
1975 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 4, 1975 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsBoston Red Sox starter Luis Tiant allowed just one run on three hits to defeat the Oakland Athletics, 7–1, in the ALCS opener....
, the Red Sox lost the World Series
1975 World Series
The 1975 World Series was played between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds . It has been ranked by ESPN as the second-greatest World Series ever played...
to the Cincinnati Reds
1975 Cincinnati Reds season
The 1975 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West with a record of 108-54, 20 games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds went on to win the National League Championship Series by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in...
in 7 games (similar to 1946
1946 World Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 6, 1946 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriThe Red Sox won Game 1 when Rudy York hit a home run into the left field bleachers.-Game 2:Monday, October 7, 1946 at Sportsman's Park in St...
and 1967
1967 World Series
The 1967 World Series matched the St. Louis Cardinals against the Boston Red Sox in a rematch of the 1946 World Series, with the Cardinals winning in seven games for their second championship in four years and their eighth overall...
).
Long expectations
The 1975 baseball season1975 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox ; Pete Rose, MVP*All-Star Game, July 15 at County Stadium: National League, 6-3; Bill Madlock and Jon Matlack, MVPs-Other champions:...
should have dawned for Red Sox fans with bright hopes. After all, the team had made a legitimate run for the pennant the previous year, and this time the team would have Carlton Fisk
Carlton Fisk
Carlton Ernest Fisk , nicknamed "Pudge" or "The Commander", is a former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 24-year baseball career, he played for both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox .Fisk was known by the nickname "Pudge" due to his 6'2", 220 lb frame...
and Rick Wise
Rick Wise
Richard Charles Wise is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons...
for full seasons. Rick Burleson
Rick Burleson
Richard Paul Burleson is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. "Rooster," as he was nicknamed was a famously intense ballplayer...
had surprised everyone by playing outstanding shortstop and hitting higher in the majors than he ever had in the minors. In addition, they were the two rookies who gave every indication they would be phenoms, Fred Lynn
Fred Lynn
Fredric Michael "Fred" Lynn is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles , Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres .Fred Lynn was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in and to the College Baseball Hall of Fame...
and Jim Rice
Jim Rice
James Edward "Jim" Rice , nicknamed "Jim Ed", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder.Jim Rice played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox from 1974 to 1989...
. But the memory of the collapse of 1974
1974 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing third in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.- Offseason :...
still hung heavy over New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
fans.
At first most of the pre-season talk had to do with the decision by Tony Conigliaro
Tony Conigliaro
Anthony Richard Conigliaro , nicknamed "Tony C" and "Conig", was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Boston Red Sox and California Angels . He was born in Revere, Massachusetts, and was a 1962 graduate of St. Mary's High School...
to try one more comeback and with the salary hassle concerning Luis Tiant
Luis Tiant
Luis Clemente Tiant Vega , born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba, , is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels...
, who felt he deserved more than $70,000 he was earning and wouldn't show up at Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
, causing team owner Tom Yawkey
Tom Yawkey
Thomas Austin Yawkey, born Thomas Austin , was an American industrialist and Major League Baseball executive. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Yawkey became president of the Boston Red Sox in 1933, and was the sole owner of the team for 44 seasons, longer than anyone else in baseball history.-Early...
to meet with "El Tiante", agree on a raise (to 90,000) and get the Sox pitching ace back in camp.
Still, it didn't take too long before the stories and pictures coming out of Florida about the two phenoms got Sox fans thinking. The betting lines in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
had Boston as a long shot, although not the 100-1 shot they were in 1967
1967 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season, often referred to as The Impossible Dream, consisted of the Red Sox shocking New England and the rest of the baseball world by winning the American League Championship and reaching the World Series for the first time since 1946...
. The odds against them went up, however, after Fisk, returning form the serious knee injury of 1974, was hit in the right arm and broke it. Even the positive talk about young Mr. Lynn couldn't drive away the gloom over Fisk's injury. Catching is absolutely vital to a successful team, and Fisk was going to be sidelined for at least a couple of months.
Youngsters and comebacks
The word out of Florida on Lynn was pretty positive. The young man who had gone to Southern CaliforniaSouthern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
as a football linebacker, but gave up football for baseball, seemed to be doing it all. Not only did he hit and run and field, he was a good-looking, charming young man. He would be a hit with Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and New England fans, no question. What's more, he was hitting with power, and with the way big Jim Rice was clobbering the baseball, Boston appeared to have a real power punch that could only get better when Fisk got back into the lineup.
Rick Wise
Rick Wise
Richard Charles Wise is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons...
, back after a year of shoulder trouble and then a broken finger, looked ready to boost a pitching staff, which already had Luis Tiant, Bill Lee
Bill Lee (left-handed pitcher)
William Francis Lee III , nicknamed "Spaceman", is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Boston Red Sox from - and the Montreal Expos from -...
, Reggie Cleveland
Reggie Cleveland
Reginald Leslie "Reggie" Cleveland is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Cleveland was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers. He ended his career with 105 wins, with a 3.73 ERA and 930 strikeouts. Reggie...
, and the stringbean flame-thrower Roger Moret
Roger Moret
Rogelio "Roger" Moret is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox , Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers . In 168 games , he posted a career won-lost record of 47-27 and an earned run average of 3.66...
. The bullpen also looked strong, with Dick Drago
Dick Drago
Richard Anthony "Dick" Drago is a former American League relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners...
as the closer and hard-thrower Dick Pole
Dick Pole
Richard Henry Pole is a retired Major League Baseball player and a former Cincinnati Reds pitching coach. A right-handed pitcher, Pole was tall and weighed during his playing career.-Playing career:...
and veteran Diego Segui
Diego Seguí
Diego Pablo Seguí González is a Cuban former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was known for his forkball.During a 16-year baseball career, Seguí played for the Kansas City Athletics , Washington Senators , Oakland Athletics , Seattle Pilots , Boston Red Sox , and Seattle Mariners . He batted and...
.
Additionally, the word on Tony Conigliaro
Tony Conigliaro
Anthony Richard Conigliaro , nicknamed "Tony C" and "Conig", was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Boston Red Sox and California Angels . He was born in Revere, Massachusetts, and was a 1962 graduate of St. Mary's High School...
was encouraging, and that boosted spirits back home. Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...
would be playing first base, and after three short trials in previous years Cecil Cooper
Cecil Cooper
Cecil Celester Cooper , nicknamed "Coop," is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball and the former manager of the Houston Astros. From through , Cooper played for the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers...
was going to make this team and probably be the designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
.
Notable transactions
- October 24, 1974: Juan MarichalJuan MarichalJuan Antonio Marichal Sánchez is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Playing for the San Francisco Giants most of his career, Marichal was known for his high leg kick, pinpoint control and intimidation tactics, which included aiming pitches directly at the opposing batters'...
was released by the Red Sox. - March 29, 1975: Danny CaterDanny CaterDanny Anderson Cater is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, third baseman, and outfielder. He was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies at the age of 18 on June 8,...
was traded by the Red Sox to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Danny GodbyDanny GodbyDanny Ray Godby was a professional baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1974 season.Godby was born in Logan, West Virginia. He went to Bowling Green University, and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971.After his pro baseball days were...
.
April
The season opened with El Tiante beating the Milwaukee Brewers, and after the first week the Sox shared first place with Milwaukee. Rice was playing some left field, and his defense left a lot to be desired; people were already saying that Rice might be a one-dimensional player who had to be the designated hitter only. On the other hand, Lynn was doing well, and the problems at catcher were not apparent yet.May
The Red Sox fell out of first place in late April and didn't get back into it until the end of May. Lynn was bombing American League pitching and playing great center field, and Rice was clobbering the ball. But the Red Sox were winning a lot of high-scoring games which didn't augur well for pitching when the pennant race reached the dog days of August and September.Denny Doyle
In June, the Red Sox made what appared to be a minor move to bolster the bench when they bought journeyman second baseman Denny DoyleDenny Doyle
Robert Dennis Doyle is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , California Angels and Boston Red Sox . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
from the California Angels. The Angels would get cash and a player to be named later, the quality depending on what Doyle did for the Sox. Little did anyone know this would be even better than the pickup of Jerry Adair
Jerry Adair
Kenneth Jerry Adair was a professional baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Royals from Sand Springs, Oklahoma.-Baltimore Orioles:...
back in 1967.
Doug Griffin
Second base was a problem. Doug GriffinDoug Griffin
Douglas Lee Griffin is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played in the American League for the California Angels and Boston Red Sox...
was playing there and doing an adequate job, but he was injury-prone, and the Sox had been particularly anixous about him ever since he had been hit in the face by a Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
fastball back in April, 1974. Doug had seemed tentative at the plate since the beaning, and Boston had concerns about his durability and about his ability to stand in there on inside pitches.
Tony C's last stand
Doyle arrived on June 14, and to make room for him on the roster Tony ConigliaroTony Conigliaro
Anthony Richard Conigliaro , nicknamed "Tony C" and "Conig", was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Boston Red Sox and California Angels . He was born in Revere, Massachusetts, and was a 1962 graduate of St. Mary's High School...
was sent to Pawtucket
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...
in the minor leagues. Tony's attempt to come back hadn't really worked out. On his first at bat he homered for the Red Sox, but soon thereafter it became apparent that the eye damage had been too great and that the once-promising career now was over for good.
So, the Red Sox got Denny Doyle into the lineup, and no one could get him out of it for the rest of the season. He ended up hitting .310, had a 22-game hitting streak and was outstanding in the field. In fact, he cemented an infield which featured Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...
at first, Rick Burleson
Rick Burleson
Richard Paul Burleson is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. "Rooster," as he was nicknamed was a famously intense ballplayer...
at short and Rico Petrocelli
Rico Petrocelli
Americo Peter "Rico" Petrocelli is an American retired baseball shortstop and third baseman who played his entire career in the American League with the Boston Red Sox...
at third. A major step toward the pennant had been taken with the Doyle deal.
Fred Lynn's greatest day ever
On June 18, Fred Lynn had one of those games that players can only dream about. The Red Sox were in Detroit and had won the first two games of the series, with second-year regular Juan BeníquezJuan Beníquez
Juan José Beníquez Torres is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , Texas Rangers , New York Yankees , Seattle Mariners , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles , Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays...
having two big games - a triple to start a winning rally in the opener and a homer to win the second. Unable to sleep, Fred Lynn got up, got dressed and walked the streets of downtown Detroit for an hour or two after 6 a.m. Still restless, he had breakfast and then went to Tiger Stadium to get extra batting practice. Whatever it was in the recipe that worked, it worked remarkably well.
In the four-run first inning he crashed a homer into the upper deck in right. In the three-run second he clubbed one off the roof of the upper deck in left center. In the third he just missed when his long drive to left center hit the top of the fence and came back for a triple. In the sixth he beat out an infield single, and then in the ninth he smashed a three-run homer to the upper deck in right again. Lynn had hit his 12th, 13th and 14th home runs, had knocked in 10 runs, tying the Red Sox record for RBIs in a game, and Luis Tiant had no trouble winning his ninth game, 15-1.
The Sox went in and out of first place three different times in late June, but at the end of the month they led the New York Yankees
1975 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 73rd season for the Yankees in New York, and the franchise's 75th season overall. The team finished with a record of 83-77, finishing 12 games behind of the Boston Red Sox...
by a game. The Baltimore Orioles
1975 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 90 wins and 69 losses.- Offseason :...
were 7.5 games back, five games under .500.
Power to the Red Sox
In early July the Red Sox put Jim Rice into left field. Since Carlton Fisk had returned a week earlier, the Sox now had a power-laden lineup that was the talk of baseball. But Baltimore was getting ready to make a move, looking for a third consecutive division crown. And after the Orioles clobbered Boston on July 1, 10-6, Oriole manger Earl WeaverEarl Weaver
Earl Sidney Weaver is a former Major League Baseball manager. He spent his entire 17-year managerial career with the Baltimore Orioles . Weaver was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.-Playing career:After playing for Beaumont High School in St...
suggested that whereas his team would emulate the 1974 Baltimore Orioles season
1974 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing first in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses...
, picking up a game a week, Boston would emulate its 1974 team and fade, which made for good reading.
Goodbye New York Yankees
Jim Rice broke in as a regular with two homers in a 6-3 win at Milwaukee, in which Wise had a no-hitter through 8 2/3 innings but lost it when George Scott homered in the ninth. The Red Sox completed a sweep of the Minnesota Twins1975 Minnesota Twins season
The Minnesota Twins finished 76-83, fourth in the American League West.-Offseason:* October 23, 1974: Pat Bourque was traded by the Twins to the Oakland Athletics for Dan Ford and Dennis Myers ....
in Minnesota and did the same to the Texas Rangers
1975 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers season involved the Rangers finishing 3rd in the American League West with a record of 79 wins and 83 losses.- Offseason :...
in Texas, and by the All-Star break they held a 4.5 game lead over the Yankees and Brewers.
The Sox then put together a 10-game winning streak, moved 6 ahead of the Yankees and finally put the Yankees away with a three-out-of-four series victory in New York, featuring two shutouts pitched by left-handers, on Sunday, July 27. Bill Lee
Bill Lee (left-handed pitcher)
William Francis Lee III , nicknamed "Spaceman", is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Boston Red Sox from - and the Montreal Expos from -...
beat Catfish Hunter
Catfish Hunter
James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter , was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1965-1979 for both the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees...
in the first 1-0, with Lynn making a spectacular play on a Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles , nicknamed "Puff", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos .Nettles was one of the best...
drive. As Lynn ran into left-center field, he dove for the ball and caught the ball in his glove. When he hit the ground, the ball popped out of the glove, but Lynn reached up and grabbed it again before it hit the ground.
The stretch drive
Roger MoretRoger Moret
Rogelio "Roger" Moret is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox , Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers . In 168 games , he posted a career won-lost record of 47-27 and an earned run average of 3.66...
pitched his seventh win, against one loss, in a 6-0 Boston win in the nightcap, featuring Yaz's 12th home Run. By the end of July Boston enjoyed an eight-game lead over the Orioles, who had moved to 51-47, over .500 for the first time.
The lead got to 9.5 games and then began to dwindle down to six by September 1. But there was no question that the fans now believed: the crowds filled Fenway. Boston next took two from the Orioles at Baltimore. Weaver was subdued, and Boston led by seven. By September 15, the Sox had not collapsed as they had in 1974, but the lead over the Orioles was down to four.
Red Sox vs. Indians
The game that may have decided the season was played on Tuesday, September 16, at hot, humid and jammed Fenway. Luis Tiant against Jim PalmerJim Palmer
James Alvin "Jim" Palmer , nicknamed "Cakes", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in .As of 2008, Palmer and his wife Susan have homes in Palm Beach, Florida, and...
. The crowd chanted "Loo-ee!, Loo-ee!, Loo-ee!", and he responded, twirling, looking into center and then blowing the ball by the Orioles. Palmer was good, but Loo-eee! was better. Boston won 2-0 on homers by Fisk and Petrocelli.
It stayed close until Friday, September 26. It had rained for five days. Contingency plans to make up rained-out games had been made, but it became academic on Friday,for the rain had stopped. But the field at Fenway was soggy, and there was a lot of fog. Nevertheless, they played a twi-night doubleheader with Cleveland. Tiant won the opener 4-0, besting Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He...
in a game in which part of left field was in fog.
The clincher
Reggie ClevelandReggie Cleveland
Reginald Leslie "Reggie" Cleveland is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Cleveland was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers. He ended his career with 105 wins, with a 3.73 ERA and 930 strikeouts. Reggie...
won the second game, also 4-0 and the Sox clinched a tie for first. The next day the Yankees finished off the Orioles, winning a twin bill at New York
1975 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 73rd season for the Yankees in New York, and the franchise's 75th season overall. The team finished with a record of 83-77, finishing 12 games behind of the Boston Red Sox...
. Boston was thus the AL East champ, and Oakland
1975 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1975 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses. They went on to play the Boston Red Sox in the 1975 American League Championship Series, losing in three straight games....
was their next obstacle on the way ot the World Series.
The postseason: Falling short yet again
After a great season, The Red Sox continued their magical season by sweeping the Oakland Athletics in 3 games in the 1975 American League Championship Series1975 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 4, 1975 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsBoston Red Sox starter Luis Tiant allowed just one run on three hits to defeat the Oakland Athletics, 7–1, in the ALCS opener....
to advance to their first World Series since 1967
1967 World Series
The 1967 World Series matched the St. Louis Cardinals against the Boston Red Sox in a rematch of the 1946 World Series, with the Cardinals winning in seven games for their second championship in four years and their eighth overall...
.
In the historic World Series that followed, it came down to Carl Yastrzemski with the Red Sox trailing 4 to 3 with 2 outs in the 9th inning of Game 7. Yaz's drive fell into the hands of Reds outfielder César Gerónimo
César Gerónimo
César Francisco Gerónimo Zorrilla , known as César Gerónimo, is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball, who was a member of the famed Big Red Machine of the Cincinnati Reds during the 1970s. He batted and threw left-handed....
, and Boston's magical season fell one game short. Boston would not be back in the World Series for 11 years.
Opening Day lineup
| 20 | Juan Beníquez Juan Beníquez Juan José Beníquez Torres is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , Texas Rangers , New York Yankees , Seattle Mariners , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles , Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays... |
LF |
| 19 | Fred Lynn Fred Lynn Fredric Michael "Fred" Lynn is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles , Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres .Fred Lynn was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in and to the College Baseball Hall of Fame... |
CF |
| 8 | Carl Yastrzemski Carl Yastrzemski Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career... |
1B |
| 25 | Tony Conigliaro Tony Conigliaro Anthony Richard Conigliaro , nicknamed "Tony C" and "Conig", was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Boston Red Sox and California Angels . He was born in Revere, Massachusetts, and was a 1962 graduate of St. Mary's High School... |
DH |
| 6 | Rico Petrocelli Rico Petrocelli Americo Peter "Rico" Petrocelli is an American retired baseball shortstop and third baseman who played his entire career in the American League with the Boston Red Sox... |
3B |
| 24 | Dwight Evans Dwight Evans Dwight Michael Evans , nicknamed "Dewey", is an American former professional baseball right fielder and right-handed batter who played with the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball.... |
RF |
| 10 | Bob Montgomery | C |
| 7 | Rick Burleson Rick Burleson Richard Paul Burleson is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. "Rooster," as he was nicknamed was a famously intense ballplayer... |
SS |
| 2 | Doug Griffin Doug Griffin Douglas Lee Griffin is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played in the American League for the California Angels and Boston Red Sox... |
2B |
| 23 | Luis Tiant Luis Tiant Luis Clemente Tiant Vega , born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba, , is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels... |
P |
Notable transactions
- June 3, 1975: Dave SchmidtDave Schmidt (catcher)David Frederick Schmidt is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played part of one season for the Boston Red Sox in . Schmidt was drafted by the Red Sox in the second round of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft and played his entire career in their organization.-Sources:...
was selected by the Red Sox in the 2nd round of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft1975 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1975 Major League Baseball draft..Many baseball draft experts consider the 1975 draft to be the weakest in MLB history.- External links :*- References :... - June 14, 1975: The Red Sox traded a player to be named later and cash to the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for Denny DoyleDenny DoyleRobert Dennis Doyle is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , California Angels and Boston Red Sox . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
. The Red Sox completed the deal by sending Chuck Ross (minors) to the Angels on March 5, 1976.
Roster
| 1975 Boston Red Sox | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 79 | 263 | 87 | .331 | 10 | 52 | |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 255.1 | 19 | 12 | 3.95 | 141 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2.57 | 2 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Game 1
October 4 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"...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Boston | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | X | 7 | 8 | 3 |
| W: Luis Tiant Luis Tiant Luis Clemente Tiant Vega , born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba, , is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels... (1-0) L: Ken Holtzman Ken Holtzman Kenneth Dale Holtzman is a left-handed former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics... (0-1) |
||||||||||||
| HR: None | ||||||||||||
Game 2
October 5 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"...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| Boston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | X | 6 | 12 | 0 |
| W: Roger Moret Roger Moret Rogelio "Roger" Moret is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox , Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers . In 168 games , he posted a career won-lost record of 47-27 and an earned run average of 3.66... (1-0) L: Rollie Fingers Rollie Fingers Roland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992... (0-1) S: Dick Drago Dick Drago Richard Anthony "Dick" Drago is a former American League relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners... (1) |
||||||||||||
| HR: OAK: Reggie Jackson Reggie Jackson Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as... (1) BOS: Carl Yastrzemski Carl Yastrzemski Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career... (1), Rico Petrocelli Rico Petrocelli Americo Peter "Rico" Petrocelli is an American retired baseball shortstop and third baseman who played his entire career in the American League with the Boston Red Sox... (1) |
||||||||||||
Game 3
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 1 |
| Oakland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| W: Rick Wise Rick Wise Richard Charles Wise is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons... (1-0) L: Ken Holtzman Ken Holtzman Kenneth Dale Holtzman is a left-handed former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics... (0-2) S: Dick Drago Dick Drago Richard Anthony "Dick" Drago is a former American League relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners... (2) |
||||||||||||
| HR: None | ||||||||||||
World Series
1975 Cincinnati Reds season
The 1975 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West with a record of 108-54, 20 games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds went on to win the National League Championship Series by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in...
(4) vs. AL Boston Red Sox (3)>
Fenway 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"...
Fenway 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"...
Fenway 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"...
Fenway 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"...
Awards and honors
- Luis TiantLuis TiantLuis Clemente Tiant Vega , born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba, , is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels...
, Babe Ruth AwardBabe Ruth AwardThe Babe Ruth Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player with the best performance in the postseason. The award, created by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America in honor of Babe Ruth, was first awarded in 1949 to the MVP of the World Series, one... - Fred LynnFred LynnFredric Michael "Fred" Lynn is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles , Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres .Fred Lynn was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in and to the College Baseball Hall of Fame...
, American League MVP, American League Rookie of the Year, AL Player of the Month June 1975 - Fred Lynn, Associated Press Athlete of the YearAssociated Press Athlete of the YearThe first Athlete of the Year award in the United States was initiated by the Associated Press in 1931. At a time when women in sports were never given the same recognition as men, the AP offered a male and a female athlete of the year award to either a professional or amateur athlete...
- Darrell JohnsonDarrell JohnsonDarrell Dean Johnson was an American Major League Baseball catcher, coach, manager and scout.-Playing career:...
, Associated Press AL Manager of the Year