1967 Boston Red Sox season
Encyclopedia
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
(also called the AL Pennant
) and reaching the World Series
for the first time since 1946
. The season had one of the most memorable finishes in baseball history, as the AL pennant race went to the very last game, with Boston (92-70) beating out the Detroit Tigers
and Minnesota Twins
by 1 game.
, with low expectations, low attendance to begin the season, and little known talent outside of team captain Carl Yastrzemski
. Entering the 1967 season, the Red Sox were in the middle of an eight-year streak of losing seasons. Two years earlier, the Red Sox had finished the 1965 season
with a league-worst 100 losses. The season's low expectations were personified by the measly 8,324 fans who attended Opening Day, which about matched their average attendance throughout the 1960s.
, the Red Sox ranked eighth out of ten American League teams in home attendance (811,172). The 1967 season set a Fenway Park
record and the Sox finished first in the league in home attendance (1,727,832). Jerry Remy
(current Red Sox television broadcaster for NESN) is quoted as saying, "The 1967 created the Red Sox craze and Red Sox Nation we have today. They re-invented baseball in New England."
became the manager of the Red Sox. Previously, he had coached the Red Sox’ farm club in Toronto. Williams was a stern disciplinarian and enacted a get tough policy. He stressed the fundamentals. In spring training, he had called George Scott "a fat".
The Red Sox also made two major acquisitions down the stretch. The first came on August 3, when the Red Sox acquired catcher Elston Howard
from the New York Yankees
. Howard would hit just .147 while replacing Mike Ryan as the starting catcher, forcing the Red Sox to turn to third-stringer Russ Gibson
more and more often down the stretch. While Gibson hit just .203, it was better than either Howard or Ryan (who hit .199) had managed during the season. The second was on August 28, when they signed outfielder Ken Harrelson
after the Kansas City Athletics
released him. Harrelson replaced José Tartabull
as the starting right fielder. Tartabull himself had replaced the injured Tony Conigliaro
, who was out for the season after a brutal beaning
, detailed below.
. Entering his fourth season in 1967, Conigliaro set the bar for his personal success very high, as he achieved immediate success his first three years in the major leagues. In fact, Conigliaro slugged an amazing 24 home runs his rookie season in 1964, followed by an AL leading 32 home runs his sophomore season in 1965 and 28 in 1966. As the Red Sox showed promise in the early part of the 1967 season, Conigliaro's expectations from the fans rose exponentially.
Throughout Conigliaro's first three seasons, minor and typical baseball injuries struck the young player. He had broken his left arm his rookie season, broken his left wrist his sophomore season after being hit by a pitch, and missed day-to-day action on other various minor injuries. Nothing serious had prevented Conigliaro from bouncing back and continuing to see offensive success at an unparalleled rapid pace. Some Red Sox die-hards in fact predicted Conigliaro would finish his career with better numbers than the great Ted Williams
.
On August 18, 1967, In the fifth inning of a mid-summer game between Boston and the California Angels at Fenway Park, Conigliaro was beaned by a pitch from Angels pitcher
Jack Hamilton right above the left cheek bone. Conigliaro was immediately knocked unconscious
and was taken off the field on a stretcher. It was later announced that the slugger had sustained severe damage to his cheek bone and the retina
of his eye. Conigliaro missed the remainder of the 1967 season and, as Boston held its breath for their young phenom, memories of the long drought of being a winning team in baseball had crept over the Fenway crowd. (No mentions of a curse, however. The idea of the "Curse of the Bambino
" would not be entertained for another 20 years.)
Though their young All-Star was out indefinitely, the Red Sox won the game and continued on to win the American League
Championship. However, faith from Red Sox fans had to be found without Conigliaro. He would return a year later, and earn Comeback Player of the Year Award
in 1969. In 1970, he would reach career-high numbers in HRs (36) and RBI (116). Problems with Conigliaro's eyesight returned in 1971 and he had to retire from major league baseball following a stint with the California Angels that year. His eyesight improved to the point that he attempted - and briefly succeeded - in a comeback attempt with the Red Sox during the Spring of 1975. However following an early season injury he was replaced in the lineup by rookie and future Hall-of-Famer Jim Rice
, and was released shortly thereafter, never to return to professional baseball.
, led the Red Sox in his break-out season, transforming his young career and elevating himself from All-Star
to Most Valuable Player
. "Yaz" led the Red Sox in batting average
, hits
, home runs, runs batted in, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, on-base + slugging
, games played
, at bat appearances, runs scored, total bases
, double
s, base on balls (walks)
and extra base hits. He was also named to his fourth All-Star Game, which was the third straight year he received this honor.
All of these team categories in which he led the club is overshadowed by his accomplishments in offensive statistics league-wide. Yastrzemski batted .326 on the season, slugged 44 home runs, and drove in 121 RBIs, which was good to lead the American League in all three of these main offensive categories. In leading the league in home runs, RBIs, and batting average, Yastrzemski achieved the Triple Crown
. Only one Red Sox player in history had reached this milestone (Red Sox legend Ted Williams
did it twice, in 1942 and 1947). It was the second consecutive year that the Triple Crown was achieved in the American League, Frank Robinson
having won the honor in 1966 during his first year with the Baltimore Orioles
. However nobody has won the Triple Crown since Yastrzemski in 1967 - and Yastrzemski was actually tied in the home run category with Harmon Killebrew
of the Minnesota Twins
that year. In the scope of this season that had begun with low expectations for the Boston Red Sox, the leadership and outstanding batting by Yastrzemski added to the "impossible" feeling that the season overall had overwhelmed the New England region.
Yastrzemski ended the season with numerous awards and honors: 1967 All-Star, 1967 Most Valuable Player, 1967 Outfield Gold Glove, 1967 Major League Player of the Year. Statistically, Yastrzemski dominated the American League, as he had his own team. He led the league in: batting average, runs batted in, home runs, runs, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging, hits, on-base percentage, and total bases.
says of the times: "This chaotic war
was going on while we were playing baseball. To think that baseball could be meaningful to these wounded soldiers was unbelievable." Four Red Sox players — All-Stars Jim Lonborg
and Tony Conigliaro, along with Dalton Jones
and Jim Landis
— were drafted for military service. The four served two-week stints in the military reserve
.
made his first start on April 14 at Yankee Stadium facing Whitey Ford
. He was one strike away from a no-hitter when Elston Howard
, who would join the Red Sox later that season, hit a soft single into right-center field. Rohr proceeded to retire the next batter for a 3–0 shutout. Four days later at Fenway Park
, he beat the Yankees
again, 6–1. Mel Stottlemyre
was charged with the loss. However Rohr only won one more major league game and was out of the majors after the 1968 season.
and were eight games over .500. By month's end, the White Sox lost hold of first-place and on August 26, the Red Sox sat atop the American League at 72-56. A five-way race between the Red Sox, White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, and the California Angels
developed for the American League pennant. The Angels slumped in early September to fall out of the race, and the White Sox slumped in the next to last week of the season.
left Chicago three games out of first place and left the pennant scramble a three-team race. The Red Sox faced the Twins in a two game series at Fenway Park on that last weekend. The Twins were in first place and were ahead by one game over the Red Sox. The Red Sox had to sweep the Twins to have any opportunity to win the pennant.
Another variable was that the Detroit Tigers would have to lose one more game. Ironically, they were playing the California Angels. In another twist, the Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski
was trying to win the triple crown; he led the American League in batting average and RBI, and was tied for the home run lead with Harmon Killebrew
of the Twins. Both players hit one home run in the series, so "Yaz" won the triple crown. In addition, in the two game series Yastrzemski went 7 for 8 with a home run and 6 RBI. In the last game of the season, 21 game winner Jim Lonborg
got the start for the Red Sox vs. the Twins' 20 game winner Dean Chance
. The Red Sox won the game 5-3 with a 5 run fifth inning, and Lonborg finished the season with 22 victories. In Detroit, the Tigers won the first game of a double header vs. the Angels, and needed to win the second game to tie the Red Sox for 1st place. But their bullpen failed, and the Angels' Rick Reichardt
hit a home run in an 8-5 Angel win. The Red Sox had won their first American League pennant in 21 years.
in the 1967 World Series
, the overachieving club is considered among the greatest Red Sox teams in club history. Beyond Yastrzemski completing one of the best single season offensive campaign, Red Sox players dominated the American League across the board. Pitcher Jim Lonborg won the Cy Young Award
. The two Sox All-Stars, joined by Tony Conigliaro
and Rico Petrocelli
, comprised the four Red Sox named to the American League All-Star team
.
NL St. Louis Cardinals
(4) vs. AL Boston Red Sox (3)>
Game
Score
Date
Location
Attendance
Time of Game
1
Cardinals – 2, Red Sox – 1
October 4
Fenway Park
34,796
2:22
2
Cardinals – 0, Red Sox – 5
October 5
Fenway Park
35,188
2:24
3
Red Sox – 2, Cardinals – 5
October 7
Busch Memorial Stadium
54,575
2:15
4
Red Sox – 0, Cardinals – 6
October 8
Busch Memorial Stadium
54,575
2:05
5
Red Sox – 3, Cardinals – 1
October 9
Busch Memorial Stadium
54,575
2:20
6
Cardinals – 4, Red Sox – 8
October 11
Fenway Park
35,188
2:48
7
Cardinals – 7, Red Sox – 2
October 12
Fenway Park
35,188
2:23
marked the 40th anniversary of The Impossible Dream, which was honored and marked with Opening Day
ceremonies featuring members of the 1967 Red Sox team and an hour-long documentary on NESN (a regional sports network part-owned by the Red Sox) called Impossible to Forget. The Red Sox went on to win the 2007 World Series
as well, their second title in 4 years.
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, often referred to as The Impossible Dream, consisted of the Red Sox shocking 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...
and the rest of the baseball world by winning the American League Championship
American League pennant winners 1901-68
Each season in Major League Baseball , one American League team wins the pennant, signifying that they are the league's champion and have the right to play in the World Series. The pennant was presented to the team with the best win–loss record each year through the 1968 season, after which the...
(also called the AL Pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
) and reaching the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
for the first time since 1946
1946 Boston Red Sox season
During the 1946 Boston Red Sox season, the Red Sox won their sixth American League championship, with a record of 104 wins and 50 losses. In the World Series, the Sox lost in 7 games to the St. Louis Cardinals...
. The season had one of the most memorable finishes in baseball history, as the AL pennant race went to the very last game, with Boston (92-70) beating out the Detroit Tigers
1967 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished tied for second in the American League with the Minnesota Twins with 91 wins and 71 losses, one game behind the AL pennant-winning Boston Red Sox.- Notable transactions :...
and Minnesota Twins
1967 Minnesota Twins season
The Minnesota Twins finished 91-73, tied for second in the American League with the Detroit Tigers. The Twins had a one-game lead with two games remaining, but lost both games to the Boston Red Sox in the season's final days...
by 1 game.
Notable transactions
- November 29, 1966: 1966 minor league draft
- Amos OtisAmos OtisAmos Joseph Otis is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets , Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted and threw right-handed....
was drafted from the Red Sox by the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. - Mike PageMike PageMichael Randy Page is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played 20 games for the Atlanta Braves in , mostly as a pinch hitter.-Sources:...
was drafted from the Red Sox by the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
- Amos Otis
- January 28, 1967: Geoff ZahnGeoff ZahnGeoffery Clayton Zahn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 13-year career, he pitched from 1973-1985 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs of the National League and the Minnesota Twins and California Angels of the American League...
was drafted by the Red Sox in the 5th round of the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft1967 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1967 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The June draft was filled with talented prospects who would go on to pro careers...
(Secondary Phase), but did not sign. - Prior to 1967 season: Tony MuserTony MuserAnthony Joseph Muser is currently a roving instructor in the San Diego Padres organization. From 1997 until 2002, Muser served as the manager of the Kansas City Royals...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Red Sox.
Preseason: Low expectations
The Red Sox entered the 1967 season as "doormats" of the American LeagueAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, with low expectations, low attendance to begin the season, and little known talent outside of team captain 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...
. Entering the 1967 season, the Red Sox were in the middle of an eight-year streak of losing seasons. Two years earlier, the Red Sox had finished the 1965 season
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
with a league-worst 100 losses. The season's low expectations were personified by the measly 8,324 fans who attended Opening Day, which about matched their average attendance throughout the 1960s.
Regular season
Boston historians consider the 1967 Red Sox season as the "re-invention" of Boston Red Sox baseball. Every aspect of Boston baseball was transposed at the hands of this club. For instance, in 19661966 Boston Red Sox season
The 1966 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 9th in the American League with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses, 26 games behind the Baltimore Orioles.- Offseason :* November 29, 1965: Jimy Williams was drafted from the Red Sox by the St...
, the Red Sox ranked eighth out of ten American League teams in home attendance (811,172). The 1967 season set a Fenway Park
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"...
record and the Sox finished first in the league in home attendance (1,727,832). Jerry Remy
Jerry Remy
Gerald Peter "Rem Dawg" Remy is a Major League Baseball broadcaster and former Major League Baseball second baseman. Remy grew up in Somerset, Massachusetts.-Playing career:...
(current Red Sox television broadcaster for NESN) is quoted as saying, "The 1967 created the Red Sox craze and Red Sox Nation we have today. They re-invented baseball in New England."
Major personnel moves
In 1967, Dick WilliamsDick Williams
Richard Hirschfeld "Dick" Williams was an American left fielder, third baseman, manager, coach and front office consultant in Major League Baseball. Known especially as a hard-driving, sharp-tongued manager from 1967–69 and 1971–88, he led teams to three American League pennants, one National...
became the manager of the Red Sox. Previously, he had coached the Red Sox’ farm club in Toronto. Williams was a stern disciplinarian and enacted a get tough policy. He stressed the fundamentals. In spring training, he had called George Scott "a fat".
The Red Sox also made two major acquisitions down the stretch. The first came on August 3, when the Red Sox acquired catcher Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
from the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Howard would hit just .147 while replacing Mike Ryan as the starting catcher, forcing the Red Sox to turn to third-stringer Russ Gibson
Russ Gibson
John Russell Gibson was an American reserve catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants between and . Listed at 6' 1", 195 lb., he batted and threw right-handed. Gibson was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts, and was a graduate of B.M.C...
more and more often down the stretch. While Gibson hit just .203, it was better than either Howard or Ryan (who hit .199) had managed during the season. The second was on August 28, when they signed outfielder Ken Harrelson
Ken Harrelson
Kenneth Smith Harrelson , nicknamed "The Hawk" due to his distinctive profile, is a former All-Star first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball...
after the Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
released him. Harrelson replaced José Tartabull
José Tartabull
José Milages Tartabull Guzmán is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder; his Major League career lasted nine years, from 1962 to 1970...
as the starting right fielder. Tartabull himself had replaced the injured 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...
, who was out for the season after a brutal beaning
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
, detailed below.
Setback: Tony Conigliaro
Throughout the season of 1967, the Red Sox were clicking offensively and defensively right from Opening Day. One of the keys to the Red Sox instant success was young, fan-favorite 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...
. Entering his fourth season in 1967, Conigliaro set the bar for his personal success very high, as he achieved immediate success his first three years in the major leagues. In fact, Conigliaro slugged an amazing 24 home runs his rookie season in 1964, followed by an AL leading 32 home runs his sophomore season in 1965 and 28 in 1966. As the Red Sox showed promise in the early part of the 1967 season, Conigliaro's expectations from the fans rose exponentially.
Throughout Conigliaro's first three seasons, minor and typical baseball injuries struck the young player. He had broken his left arm his rookie season, broken his left wrist his sophomore season after being hit by a pitch, and missed day-to-day action on other various minor injuries. Nothing serious had prevented Conigliaro from bouncing back and continuing to see offensive success at an unparalleled rapid pace. Some Red Sox die-hards in fact predicted Conigliaro would finish his career with better numbers than the great Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
.
On August 18, 1967, In the fifth inning of a mid-summer game between Boston and the California Angels at Fenway Park, Conigliaro was beaned by a pitch from Angels pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Jack Hamilton right above the left cheek bone. Conigliaro was immediately knocked unconscious
Unconsciousness
Unconsciousness is the condition of being not conscious—in a mental state that involves complete or near-complete lack of responsiveness to people and other environmental stimuli. Being in a comatose state or coma is a type of unconsciousness. Fainting due to a drop in blood pressure and a...
and was taken off the field on a stretcher. It was later announced that the slugger had sustained severe damage to his cheek bone and the retina
Retina
The vertebrate retina is a light-sensitive tissue lining the inner surface of the eye. The optics of the eye create an image of the visual world on the retina, which serves much the same function as the film in a camera. Light striking the retina initiates a cascade of chemical and electrical...
of his eye. Conigliaro missed the remainder of the 1967 season and, as Boston held its breath for their young phenom, memories of the long drought of being a winning team in baseball had crept over the Fenway crowd. (No mentions of a curse, however. The idea of the "Curse of the Bambino
Curse of the Bambino
The Curse of the Bambino was a superstition cited as a reason for the failure of the Boston Red Sox baseball team to win the World Series in the 86-year period from 1918 to 2004...
" would not be entertained for another 20 years.)
Though their young All-Star was out indefinitely, the Red Sox won the game and continued on to win the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Championship. However, faith from Red Sox fans had to be found without Conigliaro. He would return a year later, and earn Comeback Player of the Year Award
MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award
The Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award is presented by Major League Baseball to the player who is judged to have "re-emerged on the baseball field during a given season." The award was developed in 2005, as part of a sponsorship agreement between MLB and Viagra...
in 1969. In 1970, he would reach career-high numbers in HRs (36) and RBI (116). Problems with Conigliaro's eyesight returned in 1971 and he had to retire from major league baseball following a stint with the California Angels that year. His eyesight improved to the point that he attempted - and briefly succeeded - in a comeback attempt with the Red Sox during the Spring of 1975. However following an early season injury he was replaced in the lineup by rookie and future Hall-of-Famer 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...
, and was released shortly thereafter, never to return to professional baseball.
Carl Yastrzemski
During the "impossible dream" of 1967, Red Sox slugger and the 1963 batting champion, Carl YastrzemskiCarl 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...
, led the Red Sox in his break-out season, transforming his young career and elevating himself from All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
to Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
. "Yaz" led the Red Sox in batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, home runs, runs batted in, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, on-base + slugging
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
, games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, at bat appearances, runs scored, total bases
Total bases
In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i.e., the sum of his hits weighted by 1 for a single, 2 for a double, 3 for a triple and 4 for a home run.Only bases attained from hits count toward this total....
, double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
s, base on balls (walks)
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
and extra base hits. He was also named to his fourth All-Star Game, which was the third straight year he received this honor.
All of these team categories in which he led the club is overshadowed by his accomplishments in offensive statistics league-wide. Yastrzemski batted .326 on the season, slugged 44 home runs, and drove in 121 RBIs, which was good to lead the American League in all three of these main offensive categories. In leading the league in home runs, RBIs, and batting average, Yastrzemski achieved the Triple Crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
. Only one Red Sox player in history had reached this milestone (Red Sox legend Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
did it twice, in 1942 and 1947). It was the second consecutive year that the Triple Crown was achieved in the American League, Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
having won the honor in 1966 during his first year with the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. However nobody has won the Triple Crown since Yastrzemski in 1967 - and Yastrzemski was actually tied in the home run category with Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Clayton Killebrew , nicknamed "Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. During his 22-year career in Major League Baseball , he played for the Washington Senators, a team which later became the Minnesota Twins, and...
of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
that year. In the scope of this season that had begun with low expectations for the Boston Red Sox, the leadership and outstanding batting by Yastrzemski added to the "impossible" feeling that the season overall had overwhelmed the New England region.
Yastrzemski ended the season with numerous awards and honors: 1967 All-Star, 1967 Most Valuable Player, 1967 Outfield Gold Glove, 1967 Major League Player of the Year. Statistically, Yastrzemski dominated the American League, as he had his own team. He led the league in: batting average, runs batted in, home runs, runs, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging, hits, on-base percentage, and total bases.
The setting
Red Sox second baseman Mike AndrewsMike Andrews
Michael Jay Andrews is a retired American Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics. He is currently the chairman of The Jimmy Fund, an event fundraising organization affiliated with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston,...
says of the times: "This chaotic war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
was going on while we were playing baseball. To think that baseball could be meaningful to these wounded soldiers was unbelievable." Four Red Sox players — All-Stars Jim Lonborg
Jim Lonborg
James Reynold Lonborg is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies...
and Tony Conigliaro, along with Dalton Jones
Dalton Jones
James Dalton Jones is a former Major League Baseball player who played nine seasons in the big leagues for the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and Texas Rangers .-Biography:...
and Jim Landis
Jim Landis
James Henry Landis is a retired American baseball player. Landis was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent in 1952 shortly after graduating from Richmond High School...
— were drafted for military service. The four served two-week stints in the military reserve
Military reserve
A military reserve, tactical reserve, or strategic reserve is a group of military personnel or units which are initially not committed to a battle by their commander so that they are available to address unforeseen situations or exploit suddenly developing...
.
Early games
As a 21-year-old rookie, Billy RohrBilly Rohr
William Joseph Rohr is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played in the American League for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians . Listed at 6' 3", 170 lb., he batted and threw left-handed....
made his first start on April 14 at Yankee Stadium facing Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
. He was one strike away from a no-hitter when Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
, who would join the Red Sox later that season, hit a soft single into right-center field. Rohr proceeded to retire the next batter for a 3–0 shutout. Four days later at Fenway Park
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"...
, he beat the Yankees
1967 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 67th season for the Yankees franchise, 65th in New York. The team finished ahead of only the Kansas City Athletics in the American League final standings, with a record of 72-90, finishing 20 games behind the Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Ralph Houk...
again, 6–1. Mel Stottlemyre
Mel Stottlemyre
Melvin Leon Stottlemyre, Sr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and pitching coach. He played 11 years in the Major Leagues, all of them with the New York Yankees...
was charged with the loss. However Rohr only won one more major league game and was out of the majors after the 1968 season.
August
Right out of the gates, the Red Sox showed contender capabilities and entering August, were only two and a half games behind the league-leading Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and were eight games over .500. By month's end, the White Sox lost hold of first-place and on August 26, the Red Sox sat atop the American League at 72-56. A five-way race between the Red Sox, White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, and the California Angels
1967 California Angels season
The California Angels season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League with a record of 84 wins and 77 losses, 7½ games behind the AL Champion Boston Red Sox.- Offseason :...
developed for the American League pennant. The Angels slumped in early September to fall out of the race, and the White Sox slumped in the next to last week of the season.
Down the stretch
Starting September — the last month of the season — the Red Sox sat atop of the American League, but were caught in a dog-fight with Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit. The four teams were separated by half a game and all jumped between first to fourth sporadically. The pennant race was coming down to the last weekend of the season. Unfortunately for the White Sox, a three-game sweep at the hands of the Washington Senators1967 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators season involved the Senators finishing 6th in the American League with a record of 76 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* November 30, 1966: Don Lock was traded by the Senators to the Philadelphia Phillies for Darold Knowles and cash....
left Chicago three games out of first place and left the pennant scramble a three-team race. The Red Sox faced the Twins in a two game series at Fenway Park on that last weekend. The Twins were in first place and were ahead by one game over the Red Sox. The Red Sox had to sweep the Twins to have any opportunity to win the pennant.
Another variable was that the Detroit Tigers would have to lose one more game. Ironically, they were playing the California Angels. In another twist, the Red Sox 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...
was trying to win the triple crown; he led the American League in batting average and RBI, and was tied for the home run lead with Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Clayton Killebrew , nicknamed "Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. During his 22-year career in Major League Baseball , he played for the Washington Senators, a team which later became the Minnesota Twins, and...
of the Twins. Both players hit one home run in the series, so "Yaz" won the triple crown. In addition, in the two game series Yastrzemski went 7 for 8 with a home run and 6 RBI. In the last game of the season, 21 game winner Jim Lonborg
Jim Lonborg
James Reynold Lonborg is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies...
got the start for the Red Sox vs. the Twins' 20 game winner Dean Chance
Dean Chance
Wilmer Dean Chance is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Over the right hander's 11-year major league career, he would play for the Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, and Detroit Tigers...
. The Red Sox won the game 5-3 with a 5 run fifth inning, and Lonborg finished the season with 22 victories. In Detroit, the Tigers won the first game of a double header vs. the Angels, and needed to win the second game to tie the Red Sox for 1st place. But their bullpen failed, and the Angels' Rick Reichardt
Rick Reichardt
Frederic Carl Reichardt was a Major League outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels/California Angels , Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals...
hit a home run in an 8-5 Angel win. The Red Sox had won their first American League pennant in 21 years.
Aftermath
Although the Red Sox did not complete the unbelievable task and lost to the St. Louis Cardinals1967 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 86th season in St. Louis, Missouri, its 76th season in the National League, and its first full season at Busch Memorial Stadium. The Cardinals went 101-60 during the season and won the NL pennant by 10½ games over the San Francisco Giants...
in the 1967 World Series
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...
, the overachieving club is considered among the greatest Red Sox teams in club history. Beyond Yastrzemski completing one of the best single season offensive campaign, Red Sox players dominated the American League across the board. Pitcher Jim Lonborg won the Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
. The two Sox All-Stars, joined 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...
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...
, comprised the four Red Sox named to the American League All-Star team
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
.
Opening Day lineup
| 12 | José Tartabull José Tartabull José Milages Tartabull Guzmán is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder; his Major League career lasted nine years, from 1962 to 1970... |
CF |
| 1 | Joe Foy Joe Foy Joseph Anthony "Joe" Foy was a Major League Baseball third baseman.-Boston Red Sox:Born in New York City, Foy was signed as an amateur free agent by the Minnesota Twins in 1962, but was selected in that year's minor league draft by the Boston Red Sox... |
3B |
| 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... |
LF |
| 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... |
RF |
| 5 | George Scott | 1B |
| 7 | Reggie Smith Reggie Smith Carl Reginald Smith is a former Major League Baseball outfielder, coach and front office executive. During a 17-year big league career , Smith appeared in 1,987 games, hit 314 home runs and batted .287. He was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed. In his prime, he had one of the strongest... |
2B |
| 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... |
SS |
| 22 | Mike Ryan | C |
| 16 | Jim Lonborg Jim Lonborg James Reynold Lonborg is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies... |
P |
Notable transactions
- June 6, 1967: Mike GarmanMike GarmanMichael Douglas Garman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher whom the Boston Red Sox selected with the third overall pick in the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft...
was drafted by the Red Sox in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft1967 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1967 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The June draft was filled with talented prospects who would go on to pro careers...
. Player signed June 9, 1967. - July 15, 1967: Norm SiebernNorm SiebernNorman Leroy Siebern was a Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox from to . His best season came in with the A's, when he hit 25 home runs, had 117 runs batted in and a .308...
was purchased by the Red Sox from the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. - August 3, 1967: Pete MagriniPete MagriniPeter Alexander Magrini is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox. He attended Santa Clara University, where he struck out Willie Mays during an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants. He was signed as an amateur by the Minnesota Twins in...
and a player to be named later were traded by the Red Sox to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Elston HowardElston HowardElston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
. The Red Sox completed the deal by sending Ron KlimkowskiRon KlimkowskiRonald Bernard Klimkowski was a baseball player born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher and junkball specialist. He played for the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics during his career.Klimkowski attended college at Morehead State University...
to the Yankees on August 8.
Roster
| 1967 Boston Red Sox | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
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 | 226 | 45 | .199 | 2 | 27 | |
| 1B | 159 | 565 | 171 | .303 | 19 | 82 | |
| 2B | 142 | 494 | 130 | .263 | 8 | 40 | |
| 3B | 130 | 446 | 112 | .251 | 16 | 49 | |
| SS | 142 | 491 | 127 | .259 | 17 | 66 | |
| LF | 161 | 579 | 189 | .326 | 44 | 121 | |
| CF | 158 | 565 | 139 | .246 | 15 | 61 | |
| RF | 95 | 349 | 100 | .287 | 20 | 67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | 247 | 55 | .223 | 0 | 10 | |
| 49 | 138 | 28 | .203 | 1 | 15 | |
| 42 | 116 | 17 | .147 | 1 | 11 | |
| 23 | 80 | 16 | .200 | 3 | 14 | |
| 21 | 39 | 12 | .308 | 0 | 9 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 273.1 | 22 | 9 | 3.16 | 246 | |
| 29 | 165.1 | 12 | 8 | 3.16 | 115 | |
| 13 | 69.2 | 4 | 3 | 3.88 | 34 | |
| 10 | 42.1 | 2 | 3 | 5.10 | 16 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 157.2 | 5 | 11 | 4.17 | 96 | |
| 50 | 145.1 | 12 | 4 | 3.59 | 109 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 10 | 7 | 20 | 2.60 | 68 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.50 | 2 |
1967 World Series
1967 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 86th season in St. Louis, Missouri, its 76th season in the National League, and its first full season at Busch Memorial Stadium. The Cardinals went 101-60 during the season and won the NL pennant by 10½ games over the San Francisco Giants...
(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"...
Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....
Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....
Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....
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"...
Individual awards and leaders
- American League Most Valuable Player: Carl Yastrzemski
- American League Cy Young Award Winner: Jim Lonborg
- American League Gold Glove Award Winner: George Scott (first base), Carl Yastrzemski (outfield)
- American League Batting Champion: Carl Yastrzemski (.326)
- American League Home Run Champion: Carl Yastrzemski (44)
- American League RBI Leader: Carl Yastrzemski (121)
- American League All-Stars: Carl Yastrzemski, Rico Petrocelli, Tony Conigliaro, Jim Lonborg
- 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...
, Carl Yastrzemski - Associated Press AL Manager of the Year, Dick Williams
- Hutch AwardHutch AwardThe Hutch Award is given annually to an active Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of Fred Hutchinson...
, Carl Yastrzemski
Team statistics
- Batting average: 1st (.255)
- Runs/game: 1st (4.46)
- Hits: 1st (1394)
- Home Runs: 1st (158)
Commemoration
The 2007 season2007 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox' 2007 season began with the Boston, Massachusetts-based Major League Baseball team trying to rebound after a disappointing 2006 season, in which they finished third in the American League East behind the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays, and missed the postseason for...
marked the 40th anniversary of The Impossible Dream, which was honored and marked with Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
ceremonies featuring members of the 1967 Red Sox team and an hour-long documentary on NESN (a regional sports network part-owned by the Red Sox) called Impossible to Forget. The Red Sox went on to win the 2007 World Series
2007 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsThe Red Sox cruised to a blowout win in Game 1 behind ALCS MVP Josh Beckett, who struck out nine batters, including the first four he faced, en route to his fourth win of the 2007 postseason...
as well, their second title in 4 years.