1978 Boston Red Sox season
Encyclopedia
The 1978 Boston Red Sox
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Red Sox finishing second in the American League East
with a record of 99 wins and 64 losses.
. However, after working their way back capped by a 4-game sweep at Fenway, the Yanks tied the division. Then, in a one-game playoff
, the Yanks won 5-4 with the help of a home run by Bucky Dent
. The Yanks went on to win the World Series
in 6 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers
. Although Dent became a Red Sox demon, the Red Sox would get retribution in 1990
when the Yankees fired Dent as their manager during a series at Fenway Park.
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 second 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 99 wins and 64 losses.
Offseason
- November 23, 1977: Mike TorrezMike TorrezMichael Augustine Torrez is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Career:Torrez had an 18-year career from 1967 to 1984. He played for the St...
was signed as a free agent by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe 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"...
. - December 8, 1977: 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...
and cash were 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 Jerry RemyJerry RemyGerald 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:...
. - December 27, 1977: Dick DragoDick DragoRichard 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...
was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox. - March 28, 1978: 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...
was released by the Red Sox. - March 30, 1978: Rick WiseRick WiseRichard Charles Wise is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons...
, Mike PaxtonMike PaxtonMichael De Wayne Paxton is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He batted and threw right-handed....
, Ted CoxTed Cox (baseball)William Ted Cox is a former shortstop who played in Major League Baseball from through for the Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians , Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays . He batted and threw right-handed.Cox was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the first-round of the 1973 draft ahead of Fred...
, and Bo DíazBo DiazBaudilio José Díaz Seijas was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds between and...
were traded by the Red Sox to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for Dennis EckersleyDennis EckersleyDennis 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...
and Fred KendallFred KendallFred Kendall was a catcher for parts of 12 seasons in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox....
.
Notable transactions
- May 20, 1978: Bob OjedaBob OjedaRobert Michael Ojeda is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. Ojeda is best remembered as an anchor in the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets starting rotation , and for being the lone survivor of a March 22, boating accident that killed fellow Cleveland Indians pitchers...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Red Sox.
Opening Day lineup
| 2 | 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:... |
2B |
| 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 |
| 14 | 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... |
DH |
| 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 |
| 27 | 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... |
C |
| 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 |
| 15 | George Scott | 1B |
| 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 |
| 4 | Butch Hobson Butch Hobson Clell Lavern "Butch" Hobson, Jr. is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Hobson played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed.After retiring, he managed the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Boston Red Sox... |
3B |
| 21 | Mike Torrez Mike Torrez Michael Augustine Torrez is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Career:Torrez had an 18-year career from 1967 to 1984. He played for the St... |
P |
The "Boston Massacre"
Boston at one point in July held a 14 game lead over rival New York1978 New York Yankees season
The 1978 New York Yankees season was the 76th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 100-63, finishing one game ahead of the Boston Red Sox to win their third American League East title. The two teams were tied after 162 games, leading to a one-game playoff, which the Yankees...
. However, after working their way back capped by a 4-game sweep at Fenway, the Yanks tied the division. Then, in a one-game playoff
1978 American League East tie-breaker game
The 1978 American League East tie-breaker game was played between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on October 2, 1978....
, the Yanks won 5-4 with the help of a home run by Bucky Dent
Bucky Dent
Russell Earl "Bucky" Dent , is a former American Major League Baseball player and manager. He earned two World Series rings as the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees in and , and was voted the World Series MVP in 1978...
. The Yanks went on to win the World Series
1978 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 10, 1978 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaWith Yankee ace Ron Guidry unavailable at least until Game 3, the Dodgers pounded twenty-game winner Ed Figueroa. Figueroa left after two innings, allowing home runs to Dusty Baker and Davey Lopes. Lopes would add a...
in 6 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers
1978 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1978 season ended with the Los Angeles Dodgers winning their second straight National League pennant and losing to the New York Yankees in the World Series again...
. Although Dent became a Red Sox demon, the Red Sox would get retribution in 1990
1990 Boston Red Sox season
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 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox...
when the Yankees fired Dent as their manager during a series at Fenway Park.
Roster
| 1978 Boston Red Sox | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| = Indicates team leader |
| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 157 | 571 | 94 | 162 | .284 | 20 | 88 | 7 | |
| 1B | 120 | 412 | 51 | 96 | .233 | 12 | 54 | 1 | |
| 2B | 148 | 583 | 87 | 162 | .278 | 2 | 44 | 30 | |
| 3B | 147 | 512 | 65 | 128 | .250 | 17 | 80 | 1 | |
| SS | 145 | 626 | 75 | 155 | .248 | 5 | 49 | 8 | |
| LF | 163 | 677 | 121 | 213 | .315 | 46 | 139 | 7 | |
| CF | 150 | 541 | 75 | 161 | .298 | 22 | 82 | 3 | |
| RF | 147 | 497 | 75 | 123 | .247 | 24 | 63 | 8 | |
| DH | 43 | 94 | 12 | 18 | .191 | 4 | 9 | 2 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 144 | 523 | 70 | 145 | .277 | 17 | 81 | 4 | |
| 81 | 244 | 34 | 57 | .234 | 1 | 25 | 1 | |
| 64 | 104 | 12 | 27 | .260 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| 38 | 80 | 10 | 18 | .225 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 17 | 46 | 7 | 12 | .261 | 1 | 6 | 1 | |
| 20 | 41 | 3 | 8 | .195 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 10 | 29 | 2 | 7 | .241 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| 6 | 7 | 3 | 1 | .143 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; CG = Complete games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | CG | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 16 | 268.1 | 20 | 8 | 2.99 | 71 | 162 | |
| 36 | 15 | 250 | 16 | 13 | 3.96 | 99 | 120 | |
| 32 | 12 | 212.1 | 13 | 8 | 3.31 | 57 | 114 | |
| 28 | 8 | 177 | 10 | 10 | 3.46 | 59 | 44 | |
| 15 | 1 | 73 | 2 | 5 | 5.55 | 22 | 26 | |
| 3 | 0 | 12.2 | 0 | 2 | 6.39 | 10 | 10 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 116 | 8 | 4 | 3.57 | 24 | 56 | |
| 13 | 30 | 2 | 1 | 3.00 | 13 | 23 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | 15 | 2 | 10 | 2.60 | 38 | |
| 37 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 3.03 | 42 | |
| 35 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4.40 | 24 | |
| 29 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3.91 | 47 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22.50 | 3 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
AL East tie-breaker game
League leaders
- Jim Rice, American League leader, Hits (213)
- Jim Rice, American League leader, Home runs (46)
- Jim Rice, American League leader, RBIs (139)
All-Stars
All-Star Game1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 49th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 11, 1978 at San Diego Stadium in San Diego, California, home of the...
- Carlton FiskCarlton FiskCarlton 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...
, Catcher, starter - 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...
, Center field, starter - Jim RiceJim RiceJames 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...
, Left field, starter - Rick BurlesonRick BurlesonRichard Paul Burleson is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. "Rooster," as he was nicknamed was a famously intense ballplayer...
, reserve - Dwight EvansDwight EvansDwight 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....
, reserve - Jerry RemyJerry RemyGerald 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:...
, reserve - Carl YastrzemskiCarl YastrzemskiCarl 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...
, reserve