The Bristol Red Sox was name of an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 minor league baseball

Minor league baseball

Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...

 franchise. Based in Bristol, Connecticut

Bristol, Connecticut

Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...

, it was the Double-A Eastern League farm system affiliate of the Boston Red Sox

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"...

 for ten seasons, 1973 through 1982, and played at Muzzy Field

Muzzy Field

Muzzy Field is a stadium in Bristol, Connecticut. The ballpark, which is adjacent to the city's Rockwell Park, was built in 1939 and has a capacity of 4,900 people. In 2010 it was the home to the Bristol Collegiate Baseball Club of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. It is also used for...

.

The team was created during the 1972-73 offseason, when the parent Red Sox decided to move their Triple-A franchise, the Louisville Colonels

Louisville Colonels (minor league baseball team)

The Louisville Colonels was the name of several minor league baseball teams that played in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 20th century. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels.-Twentieth century minor league teams:...

, to Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...

, home of the Sox' Eastern League farm team, the Pawtucket Red Sox

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...

, since 1970. The Double-A PawSox' owner, Joe Buzas

Joe Buzas

Joseph John "Joe" Buzas was a Major League Baseball shortstop. Buzas played for the New York Yankees in the baseball season. In 30 career games, he had 17 hits, 6 RBIs and a .262 batting average. He batted and threw right-handed.He was the owner of the Salt Lake Stingers and the team's president...

, selected Bristol as the site for his relocated EL franchise. The city had previously hosted the Bristol Owls of the Class B Colonial League

Colonial League (baseball)

The Colonial League was a mid-level American minor baseball league that existed from 1947 through mid-July 1950. It was graded Class B, four levels below the Major Leagues, and featured teams in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey....

 in 1949-50 (the league disbanded on July 14, 1950) and the Tramps, Bellmakers and Woodchoppers of the Connecticut State League at the turn of the 20th century (1897; 1899-1901).

Despite the presence of future Boston stars 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 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...

 on the 1973 squad, the maiden season of the Bristol Red Sox was a losing one — but the next nine editions of the club sported over .500 records and won Eastern League titles in 1975, 1978 and 1981. Other future MLB or Red Sox stars who played for Bristol included Marty Barrett, Wade Boggs

Wade Boggs

Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...

, Oil Can Boyd

Oil Can Boyd

Dennis Ray "Oil Can" Boyd is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Boyd played for the Boston Red Sox , Montreal Expos , and Texas Rangers .He batted and threw right-handed....

, Bo Diaz

Bo Diaz

Baudilio 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...

, Rich Gedman

Rich Gedman

Richard Leo Gedman is a former Major League Baseball catcher and left-handed batter who played with the Boston Red Sox , Houston Astros and St...

, 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...

, Bruce Hurst

Bruce Hurst

Bruce Vee Hurst is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. He is best remembered for his brilliant performance for the Boston Red Sox in the postseason. He was even named World Series M.V.P...

, Steve Lyons

Steve Lyons (baseball)

Stephen John Lyons is a former Major League Baseball player and a television sportscaster. He is of French and Irish descent, and currently resides in Hermosa Beach, California....

, Al Nipper

Al Nipper

Albert Samuel Nipper is an American professional baseball coach and a former Major League pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians...

, Bob Stanley

Bob Stanley

Robert William "Bob" Stanley is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox.Over his 13-year career, Stanley played only for the Red Sox from 1977-89...

, Dave Stapleton, John Tudor and Ernie Whitt

Ernie Whitt

Leo Ernest "Ernie" Whitt is a former Major League Baseball catcher and coach who is the current manager for the minor league Clearwater Threshers. He is noted for the twelve years he spent as a player with the Toronto Blue Jays...

.

Managers included former major league

Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...

 players Stan Williams

Stan Williams (baseball)

Stanley Wilson Williams , nicknamed "Big Daddy" and "The Big Hurt", is a former Major League Baseball starting and relief pitcher who threw and batted right-handed. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Yankees , Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , St...

, Dick McAuliffe

Dick McAuliffe

Richard John McAuliffe is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop and second baseman for the Detroit Tigers from to and for the Boston Red Sox from to . He was a part of the Tigers' 1968 World Series championship, and was known for his...

 and John Kennedy

John Kennedy (baseball, born 1941)

John Edward Kennedy is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman, shortstop and second baseman. He played from 1965-1974 for the Washington Senators, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers, and Boston Red Sox.-Major League career:Kennedy spent twelve...

, but the most successful Bristol skipper was Tony Torchia

Tony Torchia

Anthony Lewis Torchia is a former minor league baseball player and manager. He was a left-handed throwing, right-handed batting first baseman who played 13 seasons in the minors...

, who piloted the club for its final five seasons, winning two championships.

The franchise shifted to New Britain, Connecticut

New Britain, Connecticut

New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254....

, in 1983, where it plays as the New Britain Rock Cats

New Britain Rock Cats

The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. They compete in the Eastern League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.-History:...

, a 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...

 affiliate since the 1995 season. Boston's current Eastern League affiliate is the Portland Sea Dogs

Portland Sea Dogs

The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....

.

Year	Record	Finish Full Season	Attendance	Manager	Postseason
1973 1973 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Oakland Athletics over New York Mets ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 24 at Royals Stadium: National League, 7–1; Bobby Bonds, MVP-Other champions:...	62-77	Third (American Div.)	47,288	Rac Slider Rac Slider Rachel Wayne "Rac" Slider is a retired infielder and manager in American minor league baseball who also spent four seasons as a Major League Baseball coach with the Boston Red Sox...	DNQ
1974 1974 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*1974 World Series: Oakland Athletics over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Rollie Fingers, MVP*All-Star Game, July 23 at Three Rivers Stadium: National League, 7-2; Steve Garvey, MVP-Other champions:...	74-61	First (American Div.)	47,989	Stan Williams Stan Williams (baseball) Stanley Wilson Williams , nicknamed "Big Daddy" and "The Big Hurt", is a former Major League Baseball starting and relief pitcher who threw and batted right-handed. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Yankees , Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , St...	Lost in first round
1975 1975 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:...	81-57	Second	42,238	Dick McAuliffe Dick McAuliffe Richard John McAuliffe is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop and second baseman for the Detroit Tigers from to and for the Boston Red Sox from to . He was a part of the Tigers' 1968 World Series championship, and was known for his... Bill Slack Bill Slack William Henry Slack is a retired Canadian baseball pitcher, manager and coach, and a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Although he never played Major League Baseball, Slack spent 50 years at the minor league level, and was a longtime member of the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves...	League champions
1976 1976 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over New York Yankees ; Johnny Bench, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Veterans Stadium: National League, 7-1; George Foster, MVP-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Naranjeros de Hermosillo...	74-60	Second (Southern Div.)	38,637	John Kennedy John Kennedy (baseball, born 1941) John Edward Kennedy is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman, shortstop and second baseman. He played from 1965-1974 for the Washington Senators, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers, and Boston Red Sox.-Major League career:Kennedy spent twelve...	DNQ
1977 1977 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: None*National League Championship Series MVP: Dusty Baker...	72-67	Fourth (Southern Div.)	57,563	John Kennedy John Kennedy (baseball, born 1941) John Edward Kennedy is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman, shortstop and second baseman. He played from 1965-1974 for the Washington Senators, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers, and Boston Red Sox.-Major League career:Kennedy spent twelve...	DNQ
1978 1978 in baseball -Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Indios de Mayagüez *College World Series: USC*Japan Series: Yakult Swallows over Hankyu Braves *Little League World Series: Pin-Kuang, Pin-Tung, Taiwan-Awards and honors:*Most Valuable Player...	72-66	Third	64,921	Tony Torchia Tony Torchia Anthony Lewis Torchia is a former minor league baseball player and manager. He was a left-handed throwing, right-handed batting first baseman who played 13 seasons in the minors...	League champions
1979 1979 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over Baltimore Orioles ; Willie Stargell, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: None.*National League Championship Series MVP: Willie Stargell...	73-66	Third	66,844	Tony Torchia Tony Torchia Anthony Lewis Torchia is a former minor league baseball player and manager. He was a left-handed throwing, right-handed batting first baseman who played 13 seasons in the minors...	DNQ
1980 1980 in baseball -Major League Baseball:World Series: Philadelphia Phillies over Kansas City Royals ; Mike Schmidt, MVP*American League Championship Series: Frank White, MVP*National League Championship Series Manny Trillo, MVP...	79-60	First (Southern Div.)	65,991	Tony Torchia Tony Torchia Anthony Lewis Torchia is a former minor league baseball player and manager. He was a left-handed throwing, right-handed batting first baseman who played 13 seasons in the minors...	DNQ
1981 1981 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees ; Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager, co-MVPsNOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half...	72-66	Second (Southern Div.)	77,066	Tony Torchia Tony Torchia Anthony Lewis Torchia is a former minor league baseball player and manager. He was a left-handed throwing, right-handed batting first baseman who played 13 seasons in the minors...	League champions
1982 1982 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*World Series Champion: St. Louis Cardinals*World Series MVP: Darrell Porter**American League Championship Series MVP: Fred Lynn**National League Championship Series MVP: Darrell Porter...	75-65	Second (Southern Div.)	67,564	Tony Torchia Tony Torchia Anthony Lewis Torchia is a former minor league baseball player and manager. He was a left-handed throwing, right-handed batting first baseman who played 13 seasons in the minors...	DNQ