An MVP candidate in Fred Lynn. A Cy Young candidate in Jerry Reuss, who was the free agent signing of the year during the offseason. A dominant middle of the lineup led by Lynn, Dwight Evans, Jim Rice, and Cecil Cooper. An aggressive front office willing to make key trades for veteran arms in the... Continue Reading →
A Red Sox rebound in 1977?
After an injury-riddled 1976 season saw the Red Sox go from American League champions to the basement of the American League standings, a few impact moves appear to have Boston poised for a rebound campaign. We already talked about some of the moves of the early offseason with Boston bringing in Earl Weaver as the... Continue Reading →
Raising the white flag on 1976: Jenkins dealt to Giants
Fergie Jenkins was a major disappointment in 17 games with the Boston Red Sox after signing with Boston prior to the 1976 season. He spent most of the season with an ERA above 4.00, and while he was finally starting to put together a few quality starts as the trade deadline neared, management decided to... Continue Reading →
Fingers, No. Quisenberry, Yes!
Let's cut to the chase. One of my goals in taking on a challenge beginning with the Red Sox of 1976 was to see what might have been different had Bowie Kuhn not vetoed the deal that sent Rollie Fingers and Joe Rudi to Boston for cash on June 15, 1976. My assumption was that... Continue Reading →
1976 Red Sox: A good start
The Boston Red Sox followed their 1976 season-opening win at Baltimore with a 5-3 opening week that put them in a tie for first place in the AL East with the hated New York Yankees. The best news so far for Boston may be the bullpen, highlighted by lefty Tom House and his two saves... Continue Reading →
Opening Day: 1976
It was difficult to imagine the Boston Red Sox would end up stealing a 2-1 win in 13 innings as Jim Palmer stood on the mound in the top of the ninth, staring in for the sign from catcher Andy Merchant. Working with Merchant, who was traded to Baltimore from Boston late in spring training,... Continue Reading →
Spring Training 1976: Red Sox bid farewell to Rico Petrocelli
The quest to put things right for the Boston Red Sox following the heartbreak of falling to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1975 World Series opened with what many in New England may consider a betrayal. After playing his entire career in a Red Sox uniform, 32-year-old Rico Petrocelli had his hopes of finishing his... Continue Reading →
Beyond the Sixth Game: The Red Sox after heartbreak in 1975
By David Carducci I spent my summers in the 1970s and early 1980s visiting family while going back and forth between Walpole, Mass. and York Beach, Maine. My dad and I would get to Fenway Park whenever possible. If the Red Sox were not in town, we'd go to Pawtucket or Old Orchard Beach to... Continue Reading →