Happy 47th Birthday to Darnell McDonald who the Red Sox signed as a FA in November 2009. He had a solid 1st season with the Sox, in 117 Games he hit .270, with 9 HR’s and a .766 OPS. Overall in parts of 3 seasons he appeared in 234 Games, hitting .252, with 17 HR’s and a .735 OPS.

On this date in 2005 after finishing 2nd in the AL MVP vote David Ortiz wins the vote by the Boston chapter of the BBWAA for the Ted Williams Award, as the top hitter in MLB, along with the Yawkey Award as the Red Sox MVP. That season Ortiz hits .300, with 47 HR’s, 148 RBI’s and a 1.001 OPS.

Marty Pattin pitched for the Red Sox in 1972 & 73. In 1972 he was 17-13, with a 3.24 ERA and a 3.5 WAR. overall in 2 seasons with the Sox he was 32-28, with a 3.73 ERA. On October 24, 1973 he was traded to the Royals for pitcher Dick Drago.

Luis Tiant’s 1976 Hostess Baseball Card. That season in 38 Starts, he is 21-12, with a 3.06 ERA and a 6.3 WAR, he is named to the AS Team and came in 5th for the CYA. The 20 win season is his 3rd in the last 4 years.

Reggie Smith of the Dodgers visiting with ex teammates Carl Yastrzemski and Doug Griffin in the Red Sox clubhouse during Spring Training March 12, 1977. That season Yaz hits .296, with 28 HR’s, 102 RBI’s and a .877 OPS. He makes his 14th AS Team and wins his 7th Gold Glove.

Happy 47th Birthday to Darnell McDonald who the Red Sox signed as a FA in November 2009. He had a solid 1st season with the Sox, in 117 Games he hit .270, with 9 HR’s and a .766 OPS. Overall in parts of 3 seasons he appeared in 234 Games, hitting .252, with 17 HR’s and a .735 OPS.

Marty Pattin pitched for the Red Sox in 1972 & 73. In 1972 he was 17-13, with a 3.24 ERA and a 3.5 WAR. overall in 2 seasons with the Sox he was 32-28, with a 3.73 ERA. On October 24, 1973 he was traded to the Royals for pitcher Dick Drago.

Luis Tiant’s 1976 Hostess Baseball Card. That season in 38 Starts, he is 21-12, with a 3.06 ERA and a 6.3 WAR, he is named to the AS Team and came in 5th for the CYA. The 20 win season is his 3rd in the last 4 years.

Reggie Smith of the Dodgers visiting with ex teammates Carl Yastrzemski and Doug Griffin in the Red Sox clubhouse during Spring Training March 12, 1977. That season Yaz hits .296, with 28 HR’s, 102 RBI’s and a .877 OPS. He makes his 14th AS Team and wins his 7th Gold Glove.

On this date in 2005 after finishing 2nd in the AL MVP vote David Ortiz wins the vote by the Boston chapter of the BBWAA for the Ted Williams Award, as the top hitter in MLB, along with the Yawkey Award as the Red Sox MVP. That season Ortiz hits .300, with 47 HR’s, 148 RBI’s and a 1.001 OPS.

On this date in 2016 Rick Porcello edges out Justin Verlander for the AL Cy Young Award. Verlander has 14 1st place votes to Porcello’s 9, but he is completely left off 2 ballots and Porcello wins the award. On the year Porcello is 22-4, with a 3.15 ERA and a 4.7 WAR.

On this date in 2000 the Red Sox obtain Infielder Chris Stynes from the Reds for Michael Coleman and Donnie Sadler. In 2001 he appeared in 96 Games, hitting .280, with 8 HR’s and a .732 OPS. He signs with the Cubs as a Free Agent following the season.

On this date in 1995 Mo Vaughn surprisingly edges out Albert Belle for American League MVP in a very close vote 308-301. On the year Vaughn hits .300, with 39 HR’s, 126 RBI’s and a .963 OPS. He becomes the 8th player in franchise history to win the award.

On this date in 1999 Pedro Martinez wins the CYA unanimously and joins Gaylord Perry and Randy Johnson as the only pitchers to win the award in both leagues. On the year he is 23-4, with a 2.07 ERA, 313 Strikeouts, a 243 ERA+ and a 9.8 WAR. His 13.2 Strikeouts per 9 at the time is a MLB record.

On this date in 1979 the Red Sox sign future HOF’er Tony Pérez as a Free Agent. In 1980 he hits .275, with 25 HR’s, 105 RBI’s and a .786 OPS. Overall in 3 seasons with the Sox he appears in 304 Games, hitting .266, with 40 HR’s and a .760 OPS.

Happy 34th Birthday to Phillips Valdéz, who was claimed off Waivers by the Red Sox in February 2020. He pitched in parts of 3 seasons with the Sox, in 65 Games he was 3-2, with a 4.67 ERA and 1 Save. In July 2022 the Sox designated him for assignment.

George Scott’s 1977 Hostess Baseball Card. That season Scott’s 1st year back with Boston after being traded to the Brewers following the 1971 season, hit .269, with 33 HR’s, 95 RBI’s and a .837 OPS, making his 3rd and final AS Game.

Carl Yastrzemski and Dick Williams share a laugh before game 2 of the 1967 World Series. Yaz went 3-4 with 2 HR’s and 4 RBI’s, while Jim Lonborg pitched a Complete Game 1 hit Shutout in the Sox 5-0 win, to even the WS 1 game apiece.

Mo Vaughn is congratulated by teammate John Valentin after his 6th inning 2 run HR during game 1 of the 1998 ALDS against Cleveland. Vaughn had 2 HR’s a double and 7 RBI’s in the Red Sox 11-3 victory. The Sox win ended a 13 game postseason losing streak dating back to game 2 of the 1986 WS.

On this date in 2016 Rick Porcello edges out Justin Verlander for the AL Cy Young Award. Verlander has 14 1st place votes to Porcello’s 9, but he is completely left off 2 ballots and Porcello wins the award. On the year Porcello is 22-4, with a 3.15 ERA and a 4.7 WAR.

On this date in 2000 the Red Sox obtain Infielder Chris Stynes from the Reds for Michael Coleman and Donnie Sadler. In 2001 he appeared in 96 Games, hitting .280, with 8 HR’s and a .732 OPS. He signs with the Cubs as a Free Agent following the season.

On this date in 1999 Pedro Martinez wins the CYA unanimously and joins Gaylord Perry and Randy Johnson as the only pitchers to win the award in both leagues. On the year he is 23-4, with a 2.07 ERA, 313 Strikeouts, a 243 ERA+ and a 9.8 WAR. His 13.2 Strikeouts per 9 at the time is a MLB record.

On this date in 1995 Mo Vaughn surprisingly edges out Albert Belle for American League MVP in a very close vote 308-301. On the year Vaughn hits .300, with 39 HR’s, 126 RBI’s and a .963 OPS. He becomes the 8th player in franchise history to win the award.

Happy 34th Birthday to Phillips Valdéz, who was claimed off Waivers by the Red Sox in February 2020. He pitched in parts of 3 seasons with the Sox, in 65 Games he was 3-2, with a 4.67 ERA and 1 Save. In July 2022 the Sox designated him for assignment.

On this date in 1979 the Red Sox sign future HOF’er Tony Pérez as a Free Agent. In 1980 he hits .275, with 25 HR’s, 105 RBI’s and a .786 OPS. Overall in 3 seasons with the Sox he appears in 304 Games, hitting .266, with 40 HR’s and a .760 OPS.

Carl Yastrzemski and Dick Williams share a laugh before game 2 of the 1967 World Series. Yaz went 3-4 with 2 HR’s and 4 RBI’s, while Jim Lonborg pitched a Complete Game 1 hit Shutout in the Sox 5-0 win, to even the WS 1 game apiece.

George Scott’s 1977 Hostess Baseball Card. That season Scott’s 1st year back with Boston after being traded to the Brewers following the 1971 season, hit .269, with 33 HR’s, 95 RBI’s and a .837 OPS, making his 3rd and final AS Game.

Mo Vaughn is congratulated by teammate John Valentin after his 6th inning 2 run HR during game 1 of the 1998 ALDS against Cleveland. Vaughn had 2 HR’s a double and 7 RBI’s in the Red Sox 11-3 victory. The Sox win ended a 13 game postseason losing streak dating back to game 2 of the 1986 WS.

On this date in 2006 the Red Sox won the rights to negotiate with Seibu Lions Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, after paying 51.1 million to secure those rights. A month later they signed him to a 6 year 52 million dollar contract. In 2007 he was 15-12 with a 4.40 ERA, finishing 4th for ROY.

On this date in 1967 Carl Yastrzemski wins the MVP recieving 19 of 20 1st place votes. The vote he didn’t receive was from a Minnesota writer who voted for Cesar Tovar of the Twins. Yaz was the last Triple Crown winner of the 20th century and his 12.5 WAR was the 4th best in MLB history.

Happy 61st Birthday to Daryl Irvine drafted by the Red Sox in the 1st round of the secondary phase of the 1985 January draft. He pitched in the Sox Organization for 8 years and appeared in parts of 3 seasons with Boston, from 1990-92. In 41 Games with Boston he was 4-5, with a 5.68 ERA.

Lynn McGlothen was the Red Sox 3rd round pick in 1968. 1972 his rookie year in 22 Starts he was 8-7, with a 3.41 ERA. The following year he struggled and in Dec 1973 he was sent to the Cardinals in a 6 player deal, he went on to have a 11 year career. Sadly in 1984 he passed away at 34 in a fire.

Happy 42nd Birthday to Craig Hansen, who made his MLB debut in 2006, the same year he was drafted in the 1st round by the Red Sox. That season he didn’t allow a run in 10 games in the Minors, for Boston in 4 Games he had an 6.00 ERA. He played 3 seasons for the Sox with a 6.14 ERA in 74 Games.

Pedro Martinez at the press conference on Dec 12th 1997 announcing his new 6 year 75 Million dollar contract. Acquired Nov 18th from the Expos, the contract is the largest for a Pitcher in MLB history. His 1st season with Boston he is 19-7, with a 2.89 ERA and a 7.3 WAR, finishing 2nd for the CYA.

Happy 33rd Birthday to Trevor Story, who the Red Sox signed to a 6 year 140 million dollar contract in March 2022. After being injured for most of the 1st 3 years of the contract he was finally healthy this past year, in 157 Games he hit .263, with 25 HR’s, 96 RBI’s, 31 Steals and a .741 OPS.

Tim Wakefield celebrates on October 27, 2004, after the Red Sox beat the Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series 3-0, to complete a 4 game sweep. That season in 32 games, 30 starts Wakefield was 12-10, with a 4.87 ERA.

Bill Lee’s hostess baseball card from 1975. That season Lee won 17 games for the 3rd year in a row, finishing 17-9, with a 3.95 ERA. In the World Series he started 2 Games with no record and a 3.14 ERA. He left both the 2nd and 7th games with the lead, but the Red Sox lost both contests.

On this date in 2006 the Red Sox won the rights to negotiate with Seibu Lions Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, after paying 51.1 million to secure those rights. A month later they signed him to a 6 year 52 million dollar contract. In 2007 he was 15-12 with a 4.40 ERA, finishing 4th for ROY.

On this date in 1967 Carl Yastrzemski wins the MVP recieving 19 of 20 1st place votes. The vote he didn’t receive was from a Minnesota writer who voted for Cesar Tovar of the Twins. Yaz was the last Triple Crown winner of the 20th century and his 12.5 WAR was the 4th best in MLB history.

Happy 61st Birthday to Daryl Irvine drafted by the Red Sox in the 1st round of the secondary phase of the 1985 January draft. He pitched in the Sox Organization for 8 years and appeared in parts of 3 seasons with Boston, from 1990-92. In 41 Games with Boston he was 4-5, with a 5.68 ERA.

Happy 42nd Birthday to Craig Hansen, who made his MLB debut in 2006, the same year he was drafted in the 1st round by the Red Sox. That season he didn’t allow a run in 10 games in the Minors, for Boston in 4 Games he had an 6.00 ERA. He played 3 seasons for the Sox with a 6.14 ERA in 74 Games.

Happy 33rd Birthday to Trevor Story, who the Red Sox signed to a 6 year 140 million dollar contract in March 2022. After being injured for most of the 1st 3 years of the contract he was finally healthy this past year, in 157 Games he hit .263, with 25 HR’s, 96 RBI’s, 31 Steals and a .741 OPS.

Lynn McGlothen was the Red Sox 3rd round pick in 1968. 1972 his rookie year in 22 Starts he was 8-7, with a 3.41 ERA. The following year he struggled and in Dec 1973 he was sent to the Cardinals in a 6 player deal, he went on to have a 11 year career. Sadly in 1984 he passed away at 34 in a fire.

Tim Wakefield celebrates on October 27, 2004, after the Red Sox beat the Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series 3-0, to complete a 4 game sweep. That season in 32 games, 30 starts Wakefield was 12-10, with a 4.87 ERA.

Bill Lee’s hostess baseball card from 1975. That season Lee won 17 games for the 3rd year in a row, finishing 17-9, with a 3.95 ERA. In the World Series he started 2 Games with no record and a 3.14 ERA. He left both the 2nd and 7th games with the lead, but the Red Sox lost both contests.

Pedro Martinez at the press conference on Dec 12th 1997 announcing his new 6 year 75 Million dollar contract. Acquired Nov 18th from the Expos, the contract is the largest for a Pitcher in MLB history. His 1st season with Boston he is 19-7, with a 2.89 ERA and a 7.3 WAR, finishing 2nd for the CYA.

Happy 72nd Birthday to 2nd Baseman Kim Andrew, who the Red Sox acquired from the Orioles in the December 1974 Rule 5 Draft. 1975 with Bristol and Pawtucket he hit .318, with 1 HR and a .749 OPS, earning a promotion to Boston where he had 1 hit in 2 at bats. That was the extent of his MLB experience.

Carlton Fisk receives the Ford C. Frick Award as the 1972 American League Rookie of the Year, prior to a game at Fenway in 1973. In 1972 he hit .293, with a league leading 9 Triples, 22 HR’s, a .909 OPS and a 7.3 WAR. Besides winning ROY he was a AS, won a GG and came in 4th for MVP.

Jerry Remy’s Hostess Baseball Card from 1978. That season was Remy’s 1st with the Red Sox, after being acquired from the Angels. He hit .278, with 87 Runs, 2 HR’s, 30 Stolen Bases and a .671 OPS, making his only AS team.

Carl Yastrzemski interviewing Ted Williams during the Old Timers Game at Fenway Park on May 17, 1986. Looks like Williams is talking about his favorite subject, hitting.