1972 Boston Red Sox season
Encyclopedia
The 1972 Boston Red Sox
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East
with a record of 85 wins and 70 losses. After the cancellation of games missed during a two-week strike, the Sox missed winning the AL East, as the Tigers
played one more game and finished 86-70, just 1/2 game ahead.
. George Scott, who had fallen out of favor with the Red Sox management, was packaged with Billy Conigliaro
(younger brother of former Red Sox star Tony Conigliaro
), outfielders Joe Lahoud
and Don Pavletich
, pitchers Ken Brett
(George Brett
's older brother) and Jim Lonborg
and exchanged for pitchers Marty Pattin
and Lew Krausse, Jr. and outfielders Tommy Harper
and Pat Skrable. It was a big deal and, as it turned out, a bad one for Boston. Lonborg won 14 games for Milwaukee in 1972, with a 2.83 ERA, and later was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
, where he won 13, 17, 18, 8 and 11 games during five seasons. Scott batted .263, .266, .306, .281 and .285 in his five seasons with the Brewers, driving in 88, 107, 82, 109, and 77 runs during those same years and clouting an average of 23 homers a season, with 36 in 1975 alone. Meanwhile, although Pattin was 17-13 for Boston in 1972 an 15-15 in 1973, he was then traded away. Harper batted .254 and .281 in his two years with the Sox before being traded.
's ruling that no games cancelled due to the April strike would be made up, the Red Sox wound up with 155 games on their 1972 schedule. They finished a half-game behind the AL East champion Detroit Tigers, who played 156 and won one more game than Boston. In the second-to-last game of the season, shortstop
Luis Aparicio
fell down rounding third, possibly costing the Sox a chance at victory in a game that could have made the difference. Thus, the Sox finished one-half game out with an 85-70 record.
|-
| 4 || Tommy Harper
|| CF
|-
|11 || Luis Aparicio
|| SS
|-
| 8 || Carl Yastrzemski
|| LF
|-
| 7 || Reggie Smith
|| CF
|-
| 6 || Rico Petrocelli
|| 3B
|-
| 5 || Danny Cater
|| 1B
|-
| 2 || Doug Griffin
|| 2B
|-
|24 || Duane Josephson
|| C
|-
|33 || Marty Pattin
|| P
|-
|}
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 2nd 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 85 wins and 70 losses. After the cancellation of games missed during a two-week strike, the Sox missed winning the AL East, as the Tigers
1972 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the American League East division championship with a record of 86-70 , finishing one-half game ahead of the Boston Red Sox. They played one more game than the Red Sox due to a scheduling quirk caused by the 1972 Major League Baseball strike -- a game which turned out to...
played one more game and finished 86-70, just 1/2 game ahead.
Offseason
- October 10, 1971: Jim LonborgJim LonborgJames Reynold Lonborg is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies...
, Ken BrettKen BrettKenneth Alven Brett was a Major League Baseball pitcher and the second of four Brett brothers who played professional baseball, the most notable being the youngest, George Brett.Ken played for 10 teams in his 14-year MLB career.Born in Brooklyn, Ken Brett grew up in southern California and was an...
, Billy ConigliaroBilly ConigliaroWilliam Michael Conigliaro is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played in the American League for the Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland Athletics...
, Joe LahoudJoe LahoudJoseph Michael Lahoud is an American former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily as an outfielder and designated hitter, for the Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers , California Angels , Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals...
, Don PavletichDon PavletichDonald Stephen Pavletich is a retired American professional baseball player, a catcher and first baseman for the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds , Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox .In 12 seasons he played in 536 Games, had 1,373 At Bats, 163 Runs, 349 Hits, 73 Doubles, 8 Triples, 46 Home Runs, 193...
, and George Scott were traded by the Red Sox to the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Marty PattinMarty PattinMartin William "Marty" Pattin is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched for the California Angels , Seattle Pilots , Milwaukee Brewers , Boston Red Sox , and the Kansas City Royals...
, Lew Krausse, Tommy HarperTommy HarperTommy Harper is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder and third baseman. He played with the Cincinnati Reds , Cleveland Indians , Seattle Pilots , Milwaukee Brewers , Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Oakland Athletics , and the Baltimore Orioles .-High School...
, and Pat Skrable (minors). - March 22, 1972: Sparky LyleSparky LyleAlbert Walter "Sparky" Lyle is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball . He was a closer from 1969 to 1977, first for the Boston Red Sox and then the New York Yankees. A three-time All-Star, he won the American League Cy Young Award in 1977...
was 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 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,...
and a player to be named later. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Mario GuerreroMario GuerreroMario Miguel Guerrero Abud is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for four teams in an eight-year career from to .Guerrero signed with the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in...
to the Red Sox on June 30.
A bad trade
After the 1971 season, the Red Sox management decided on drastic changes. First there was a trade with the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. George Scott, who had fallen out of favor with the Red Sox management, was packaged with Billy Conigliaro
Billy Conigliaro
William Michael Conigliaro is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played in the American League for the Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland Athletics...
(younger brother of former Red Sox star 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...
), outfielders Joe Lahoud
Joe Lahoud
Joseph Michael Lahoud is an American former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily as an outfielder and designated hitter, for the Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers , California Angels , Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals...
and Don Pavletich
Don Pavletich
Donald Stephen Pavletich is a retired American professional baseball player, a catcher and first baseman for the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds , Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox .In 12 seasons he played in 536 Games, had 1,373 At Bats, 163 Runs, 349 Hits, 73 Doubles, 8 Triples, 46 Home Runs, 193...
, pitchers Ken Brett
Ken Brett
Kenneth Alven Brett was a Major League Baseball pitcher and the second of four Brett brothers who played professional baseball, the most notable being the youngest, George Brett.Ken played for 10 teams in his 14-year MLB career.Born in Brooklyn, Ken Brett grew up in southern California and was an...
(George Brett
George Brett
George Brett , is an American baseball player.George Brett may also refer to:*George Edward Brett , British-born American publisher*George Brett , World War II USAAF general...
's older brother) and 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 exchanged for pitchers Marty Pattin
Marty Pattin
Martin William "Marty" Pattin is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched for the California Angels , Seattle Pilots , Milwaukee Brewers , Boston Red Sox , and the Kansas City Royals...
and Lew Krausse, Jr. and outfielders Tommy Harper
Tommy Harper
Tommy Harper is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder and third baseman. He played with the Cincinnati Reds , Cleveland Indians , Seattle Pilots , Milwaukee Brewers , Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Oakland Athletics , and the Baltimore Orioles .-High School...
and Pat Skrable. It was a big deal and, as it turned out, a bad one for Boston. Lonborg won 14 games for Milwaukee in 1972, with a 2.83 ERA, and later was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, where he won 13, 17, 18, 8 and 11 games during five seasons. Scott batted .263, .266, .306, .281 and .285 in his five seasons with the Brewers, driving in 88, 107, 82, 109, and 77 runs during those same years and clouting an average of 23 homers a season, with 36 in 1975 alone. Meanwhile, although Pattin was 17-13 for Boston in 1972 an 15-15 in 1973, he was then traded away. Harper batted .254 and .281 in his two years with the Sox before being traded.
Regular season
Following the 1972 Major League Baseball strike, and Commissioner Bowie KuhnBowie Kuhn
Bowie Kent Kuhn was an American lawyer and sports administrator who served as the fifth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, , to September 30,...
's ruling that no games cancelled due to the April strike would be made up, the Red Sox wound up with 155 games on their 1972 schedule. They finished a half-game behind the AL East champion Detroit Tigers, who played 156 and won one more game than Boston. In the second-to-last game of the season, shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Luis Aparicio
Luis Aparicio
Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel is a former shortstop in professional baseball. His career in Major League Baseball spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
fell down rounding third, possibly costing the Sox a chance at victory in a game that could have made the difference. Thus, the Sox finished one-half game out with an 85-70 record.
Notable transactions
- June 6, 1972: Don AaseDon AaseDonald William Aase is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1977 to 1990. During his MLB career, Aase played with the Boston Red Sox , California Angels and Baltimore Orioles , of the American League...
was drafted by the Red Sox in the 6th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft1972 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then...
. - August 15, 1972: Chris ColettaChris ColettaChristopher Michael Coletta is a retired professional baseball player who played one season for the California Angels of Major League Baseball. Coletta was also with the Boston Red Sox organization and had an impressive career in the International League...
was traded by the Red Sox 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 Andy KoscoAndy KoscoAndy Kosco is a former Major League Baseball player who was affiliated at various times with the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds....
.
Opening Day lineup
{||-
| 4 || Tommy Harper
Tommy Harper
Tommy Harper is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder and third baseman. He played with the Cincinnati Reds , Cleveland Indians , Seattle Pilots , Milwaukee Brewers , Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Oakland Athletics , and the Baltimore Orioles .-High School...
|| CF
|-
|11 || Luis Aparicio
Luis Aparicio
Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel is a former shortstop in professional baseball. His career in Major League Baseball spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
|| SS
|-
| 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
|-
| 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...
|| CF
|-
| 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
|-
| 5 || Danny Cater
Danny Cater
Danny 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,...
|| 1B
|-
| 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
|-
|24 || Duane Josephson
Duane Josephson
Duane Charles Josephson was an American professional baseball player, a catcher who played for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball....
|| C
|-
|33 || Marty Pattin
Marty Pattin
Martin William "Marty" Pattin is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched for the California Angels , Seattle Pilots , Milwaukee Brewers , Boston Red Sox , and the Kansas City Royals...
|| P
|-
|}
Roster
| 1972 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CF | 144 | 546 | 141 | .254 | 14 | 49 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 253 | 17 | 13 | 3.24 | 168 | |
| 16 | 105 | 5 | 8 | 4.46 | 52 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 60.2 | 1 | 3 | 6.38 | 35 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2.93 | 27 | |