Dave Magadan
Encyclopedia
David Joseph Magadan is a former Major League Baseball
first and third baseman
and current Red Sox Hitting Coach. He is the cousin and godson of former manager, Lou Piniella
.
, Magadan was drafted by the Boston Red Sox
in the twelfth round of the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft
, but elected not to sign and remain in school. His status as a prospect improved after he led West Tampa Memorial Post No. 248 to a win against a team from Richmond, Virginia
in the American Legion
World Series and was named series Most Valuable Player
. He also received the George W. Rulon American Legion Baseball Player of the Year award.
After high school, Magadan attended the University of Alabama
, where, in , his .525 batting average
led the entire National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA), while setting an SEC Southeastern Conference
record, and is still the fifth best in NCAA history. After defeating Michigan
and Arizona State University
twice, Alabama lost to the University of Texas at Austin
in the 1983 College World Series
. Magadan was named the All-Tournament Team's first baseman
. He also was selected as an AP All-American, was named the starting designated hitter
on The Sporting News
s college All-America
team, received College Player of the Year honors from Baseball America
and won USA Baseball
's Golden Spikes Award
as the best amateur baseball
player. His .439 career batting average is the SEC record and tenth best in NCAA history.
with the 32nd overall pick of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft
, early in the second round. He was assigned to the South Atlantic League
's Columbia Mets
, with whom he batted .336 with three home run
s.
Magadan did not hit any home runs his next two seasons, and really didn't display much power as a prospect, but he consistently hit for a high batting average and displayed excellent plate discipline, with a low strikeout rate and twice as many walks as strikeouts. He advanced steadily through the system, and was a September call-up for the championship squad.
, and hitting a double
in his first major league at-bat. He won the hearts of Mets fans in his first major league start on September 17, by hitting three singles
, and reaching on an error
in his four at-bats, and collecting two RBIs in the Mets' National League East
ern division clincher. For the season, Magadan went eight for eighteen for a .444 batting average.
Blocked at third base by Howard Johnson and at first by Keith Hernandez
, Magadan still found his way into the lineup on a semi-regular basis in and . He provided a quality bat in late-inning situations and a capable spot starter whenever a regular needed a day off. Manager Davey Johnson
even went so far as to move Johnson to shortstop
for 30 games a year, just to get Magadan more playing time.
Magadan became the Mets' regular first baseman in when injuries limited Hernandez to 75 games and a .233 batting average. Contrary to early reports of a mediocre glove, Magadan proved himself to be adequate at first, though certainly not in Hernandez' class. Hernandez's contract expired after the season, and rather than awarding the starting first base job to Magadan, the Mets acquired Mike Marshall from the Los Angeles Dodgers
to play first in .
Marshall batted only .239 for the Mets, and had lost his starting job to Magadan by the time he was dealt to the Boston Red Sox
on July 27. Magadan batted .328, which ranked third in the league, and his .417 on-base percentage was good for second place. He also ranked eighth in walks and fifth in sacrifice flies
, and even drew four points in MVP voting.
In , the Mets signed Eddie Murray
as a free agent, shifted Johnson to centerfield
and moved Magadan across the diamond to third. Following the season, he signed as a free agent with the Florida Marlins
.
for Henry Cotto
and Jeff Darwin
. After the season, he was traded back to the Marlins even up for Darwin and cash. Magadan batted .275 backing up third and first for the Marlins in . At the end of the season, he signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros
.
from the Montreal Expos
to play third.
. He signed a one year deal with the Oakland Athletics
at the end of the season, and made 328 plate appearances in , splitting his time fairly evenly between first, third and designated hitter
. He batted .303 with four home runs, and resigned with the A's at the end of the season. While Magadan received far less playing time in , he still emerged with a .321 batting average.
in to back up first and third base. He made his first career appearance as a short for the Padres in , and in , he made his only appearance at second base
.
Magadan had a career .994 fielding percentage
at first base and .951 at third.
and replaced by former Padres hitting coach Merv Rettenmund
. Their .322 in on base percentage
and .391 slugging percentage was second to last to the Chicago Cubs.
On October 20, 2006, Magadan was named hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox. In his first season on the job, Magadan's Red Sox would go on to see great improvements in batting average (.269 to .279), slugging percentage (.435 to .444) and on base percentage (.351 to .362), and led the American League
with 689 walks. In , Boston would finally end their arch rival New York Yankees
' nine year run as American League East
ern division champions, and went on to sweep the Colorado Rockies
in the 2007 World Series
. The BoSox batted .333 in the World Series
.
The Red Sox were among the league leaders in all batting categories again in , leading the major leagues with a .358 on-base percentage and 646 walks, and ranking second in the American League in batting average (.280), runs (845), doubles (353), RBIs (807) and total bases (2,503), and finishing third in slugging percentage (.447).
Magadan was suspended for one game on June 26, for arguing balls and strikes with home plate
umpire
Bob Davidson June 24. While still making the post season as a wild card, the Red Sox saw a substantial dip in all categories in 2009, and were eliminated in the first round of the play offs against the Los Angeles Angels.
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...
first and third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
and current Red Sox Hitting Coach. He is the cousin and godson of former manager, Lou Piniella
Lou Piniella
Louis Victor Piniella is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
.
Amateur playing career
Magadan is 6'4" tall, weighs 245 lbs, batted from the left side, and threw from the right. While a student at Jesuit High School of TampaJesuit High School of Tampa
Jesuit High School of Tampa, established in 1899, is a private, Catholic, all-male high school located in Tampa, Florida, USA. It operates independently of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg. The school has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.Jesuit of Tampa teaches a college...
, Magadan was drafted by 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"...
in the twelfth round of the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft
1980 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1980 Major League Baseball draft.- Compensation Picks :*William Erickson, was drafted in the second round by the San Francisco Giants, 31st pick overall. *Jeff Horne was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Pirates,...
, but elected not to sign and remain in school. His status as a prospect improved after he led West Tampa Memorial Post No. 248 to a win against a team from Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
in the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
World Series and was named series 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...
. He also received the George W. Rulon American Legion Baseball Player of the Year award.
After high school, Magadan attended the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, where, in , his .525 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 :...
led the entire National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA), while setting an SEC Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
record, and is still the fifth best in NCAA history. After defeating Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
twice, Alabama lost to the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
in the 1983 College World Series
1983 College World Series
The 1983 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 3 to June 11. The thirty-seventh tournament's champion was The University of Texas, coached by Cliff Gustafson...
. Magadan was named the All-Tournament Team's first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
. He also was selected as an AP All-American, was named the starting designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
on The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
s college All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
team, received College Player of the Year honors from Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
and won USA Baseball
USA Baseball
USA Baseball was founded in , and is the governing body for amateur baseball in the United States of America. It is a member of the United States Olympic Committee and organizes the United States national baseball team...
's Golden Spikes Award
Golden Spikes Award
The Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. It is awarded by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Though the award can be presented to any amateur player, it has always been given to a college baseball player.-Past...
as the best amateur baseball
Amateur baseball in the United States
Amateur baseball is a form of baseball in which the players either are not paid for playing, or receive only a modest stipend or employment arranged by the team's boosters...
player. His .439 career batting average is the SEC record and tenth best in NCAA history.
Minor leagues
Following his breakthrough season at Alabama, Magadan was selected by the New York MetsNew York Mets
The 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...
with the 32nd overall pick of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft
1983 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1983 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Other notable players :*Kevin Ward, 6th round...
, early in the second round. He was assigned to the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
's Columbia Mets
Columbia Mets
Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the Columbia Mets were affiliated with the New York Mets from 1983 to 1992. A member of the South Atlantic League, they became the Capital City Bombers in 1993. They played in Capital City Stadium.-Year by Year Record:...
, with whom he batted .336 with three home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s.
Magadan did not hit any home runs his next two seasons, and really didn't display much power as a prospect, but he consistently hit for a high batting average and displayed excellent plate discipline, with a low strikeout rate and twice as many walks as strikeouts. He advanced steadily through the system, and was a September call-up for the championship squad.
New York Mets
He made his major league debut on September 7, pinch hitting for Kevin ElsterKevin Elster
Kevin Daniel Elster is a retired Major League Baseball shortstop.Elster played for six different ballclubs during his career: the New York Mets , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies , Texas Rangers , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, and hitting a 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....
in his first major league at-bat. He won the hearts of Mets fans in his first major league start on September 17, by hitting three singles
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
, and reaching on an error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in his four at-bats, and collecting two RBIs in the Mets' National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
ern division clincher. For the season, Magadan went eight for eighteen for a .444 batting average.
Blocked at third base by Howard Johnson and at first by Keith Hernandez
Keith Hernandez
Keith Barlow Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a baseball analyst working for the New York Mets, for whom he played from –, on SportsNet New York and WPIX television broadcasts...
, Magadan still found his way into the lineup on a semi-regular basis in and . He provided a quality bat in late-inning situations and a capable spot starter whenever a regular needed a day off. Manager Davey Johnson
Davey Johnson
David Allen "Davey" Johnson is an American Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Washington Nationals. He was the starting second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles when they won four American League pennants and two World Series championships between 1965 and 1972...
even went so far as to move Johnson to 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...
for 30 games a year, just to get Magadan more playing time.
Magadan became the Mets' regular first baseman in when injuries limited Hernandez to 75 games and a .233 batting average. Contrary to early reports of a mediocre glove, Magadan proved himself to be adequate at first, though certainly not in Hernandez' class. Hernandez's contract expired after the season, and rather than awarding the starting first base job to Magadan, the Mets acquired Mike Marshall from the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
to play first in .
Marshall batted only .239 for the Mets, and had lost his starting job to Magadan by the time he was dealt to 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"...
on July 27. Magadan batted .328, which ranked third in the league, and his .417 on-base percentage was good for second place. He also ranked eighth in walks and fifth in sacrifice flies
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
, and even drew four points in MVP voting.
In , the Mets signed Eddie Murray
Eddie Murray
Eddie Clarence Murray , nicknamed "Steady Eddie", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and designated hitter. He was known as one of the most reliable and productive hitters of his era. Murray is regarded as one of the best switch hitters ever to play the game...
as a free agent, shifted Johnson to centerfield
Centerfield
Centerfield is an album by musician John Fogerty, released in 1985. It was his most popular post-Creedence album, containing the hit singles "The Old Man Down the Road", "Rock and Roll Girls" and the title track "Centerfield". Fogerty played all the instruments on this album himself, thanks to...
and moved Magadan across the diamond to third. Following the season, he signed as a free agent with the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
.
Florida Marlins
Magadan was in the starting line-up for the Marlins for their inaugural season opener, going one for four in the Marlins' 6-3 victory over the Dodgers. On June 27, , he was traded to the Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Henry Cotto
Henry Cotto
Henry Cotto is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of ten seasons in Major League Baseball, from until . He also played one season in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants in , winning a world championship...
and Jeff Darwin
Jeff Darwin
Jeffrey Scott Darwin is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during three seasons at the major league level for the Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox. He was drafted by the Mariners in the 13th round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft...
. After the season, he was traded back to the Marlins even up for Darwin and cash. Magadan batted .275 backing up third and first for the Marlins in . At the end of the season, he signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
.
Houston Astros
Magadan found himself once again with a starting job in Houston, batting .313 as their regular third baseman. Still, the Astros chose not to resign Magadan at the end of the season, choosing instead to acquire Sean BerrySean Berry
Sean Berry , is a former Major League Baseball player who served primarily as a third baseman from -...
from the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
to play third.
Oakland A's
Magadan signed with the Chicago Cubs in . Injuries and a gold glove first baseman (Mark Grace) limited him to pinch hitting duties, and he batted only .254 used sparingly by manager Jim RigglemanJim Riggleman
James David Riggleman is a former Major League Baseball manager and coach. Riggleman was an infielder and outfielder in the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals minor league systems from 1974–1981...
. He signed a one year deal with the Oakland 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....
at the end of the season, and made 328 plate appearances in , splitting his time fairly evenly between first, third and designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
. He batted .303 with four home runs, and resigned with the A's at the end of the season. While Magadan received far less playing time in , he still emerged with a .321 batting average.
San Diego Padres
Magadan signed with the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in to back up first and third base. He made his first career appearance as a short for the Padres in , and in , he made his only appearance at second base
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
.
Magadan had a career .994 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
at first base and .951 at third.
Coaching career
After his retirement as a player, Magadan was hired by the Padres as their minor league hitting instructor in , and served as their major league batting coach from to . On June 15, 2006, with the Padres batting .252 as a team (last in the National League), Magadan was fired by Padres GM Kevin TowersKevin Towers
Kevin S. Towers is currently the general manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also served as the general manager of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres from 1995-2009.-Playing career:...
and replaced by former Padres hitting coach Merv Rettenmund
Merv Rettenmund
Mervin Weldon Rettenmund is a former Major League Baseball player and coach. He played thirteen seasons with the Baltimore Orioles , the Cincinnati Reds , the San Diego Padres and the California Angels ....
. Their .322 in on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
and .391 slugging percentage was second to last to the Chicago Cubs.
On October 20, 2006, Magadan was named hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox. In his first season on the job, Magadan's Red Sox would go on to see great improvements in batting average (.269 to .279), slugging percentage (.435 to .444) and on base percentage (.351 to .362), and led 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...
with 689 walks. In , Boston would finally end their arch rival 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...
' nine year run as 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...
ern division champions, and went on to sweep the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
in 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...
. The BoSox batted .333 in 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...
.
The Red Sox were among the league leaders in all batting categories again in , leading the major leagues with a .358 on-base percentage and 646 walks, and ranking second in the American League in batting average (.280), runs (845), doubles (353), RBIs (807) and total bases (2,503), and finishing third in slugging percentage (.447).
Magadan was suspended for one game on June 26, for arguing balls and strikes with home plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
Bob Davidson June 24. While still making the post season as a wild card, the Red Sox saw a substantial dip in all categories in 2009, and were eliminated in the first round of the play offs against the Los Angeles Angels.