Boston Red Sox Baseball

Boston Red Sox Yesterday and Today

by: Nick Cafardo

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 12/14/2009)

The Boston Red Sox began playing major league baseball in 1901 when the American League was formed. The team dominated the league in its first few years, winning the pennant in 1903 and 1904 and the first World Series in 1903. The team's fortunes, however, went downhill in 1906, when the Red Sox lost 100 games.

The Boston Red Sox improved significantly by 1912 and they again won the pennant and the World Series. The team's management then signed Babe Ruth and the Red Sox dominated the major leagues for the next few years, winning the World Series in 1915, 1916 and 1918.

In 1919, the owner of the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. A few years later, he sold even more of the Red Sox players and the team went from the best team to one that lost 100 games a season. In 1933, Tom Yawkey bought the Boston Red Sox and he began to replenish the team with good players and their fortunes started to turn around. [read more...]

Red Sox Rule: Terry Francona and Boston's Rise to Dominance

by: Michael Holley

Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 12/14/2009)

Terry Francona has been managing the Boston Red Sox since 2004 and in that short time, he has led the team to two World Series wins (2004, 2007). His contract with the team will give him three more years to repeat that success.

Francona grew up with a father who played major league baseball for the first 11 years of Terry's life. He followed in his father's footsteps and played baseball in high school and college. He was drafted in 1980 by the Montreal Expos and a year later was playing in the major leagues.

Francona began as an outfielder with the Montreal Expos, but he eventually became their first baseman. After a few successful years with the team, they released him when his batting average fell in 1985. Francona then moved from team to team, playing for four different teams in as many years - Chicago Cubs in 1986, Cincinnati Reds in 1987, Cleveland Indians in 1988, and, finally, the Milwaukee Brewers in 1989. He retired as a player after playing only three games in the 1990 season. [read more...]

1993 John Smoltz MLB Starting Lineup Figure

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John Smoltz, after 22 years with the Atlanta Braves, will be playing this season in a Boston Red Sox uniform. During his time with the Braves, Smoltz won many honors as one of the best pitchers in baseball.

While still in high school, Smoltz was drafted by the Detroit Tigers. He played in the team's minor league division for a couple of years before being traded to the Atlanta Braves.

Smoltz's rookie year as a pitcher with the Braves was unimpressive but he shined in his second year, winning 12 games with an ERA of 2.94. Smoltz continued to rise until an injury sidelined him by 1999. During his first ten years with the Atlanta Braves, Smoltz won the prestigious Cy Young award (1996), led the National League in wins (1996) and strikeouts (1992, 1996) and was selected to the All-Star team four times (1989, 1992, 1993, 1996). [read more...]

Boston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia ALCS Game 7 Home Run

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Dustin Pedroia, second baseman for the Boston Red Sox, has been with the team since they drafted him in 2004. Prior to being drafted, Pedroia played for Arizona State University. He spent his first two years with Boston in the minor leagues, playing both shortstop and second base.

Pedroia was called up to the Red Sox on August 22, 2006 and he immediately proved that he was ready for the majors with his first hit. His first major league home run came just a few weeks later.

Pedroia's start on second base in 2007 began slowly, but by mid-June he was batting .322 with a 13-game hitting streak. He ended the season with a batting average of .317 and as winner of the American League Rookie of the Year award. [read more...]

MLB Series 14 Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox, White Jersey with Red Lettering

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February 2, 2009

The Boston Red Sox catcher and captain, Jason Varitek, has come to terms with the Red Sox for another year for $5 million. The new agreement also gives both sides the option for renewing the contract in 2010. Varitek and his agent, Scott Boras, were given a deadline of Friday for agreeing on a new contract and, fortunately, for both sides and Red Sox fans, Varitek accepted Boston's offer.

Varitek, who will be 37 in April, has played his entire major league career with Boston. He was initially drafted in 1994 by the Seattle Mariners but they traded him to Boston in 1997. Varitek played in one game in his first season with Boston and only in 86 games the following year, but he became the Red Sox starting catcher in 1999. That year he showed his potential, batting .269 with 20 home runs and 76 RBIs. However, his statistics the next year were poor, with a batting average of only .248 with 10 home runs and 65 RBIs. [read more...]

In Your Face - In Your Heart: The Story of Joe Cronin

by: Robert Gorman

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/14/2009)

Twelve baseball players have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as Boston Red Sox players.

Wade Boggs
Jimmy Collins
Joe Cronin
Bobby Doerr
Rick Ferrell
Carlton Fisk
Jimmie Foxx
Lefty Grove
Harry Hooper
Jim Rice
Ted Williams
Carl Yastrzemski

1986 Topps #510 Wade Boggs - Boston Red Sox (Baseball Cards) [Misc.]

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Wade Boggs, who spent more than half of his 17 year major league baseball career with the Boston Red Sox, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. Boggs won six Silver Slugger awards during his time with the Red Sox and two more when he played with the New York Yankees.

Third baseman Boggs began his major league baseball career with the Boston Red Sox in 1982 at the age of 23. In 1983, he won his first of five batting titles with a season batting average of .361 and 210 hits. From 1982 until 1991, Boggs never had a batting average under .302 and he had a career high average of .368 in 1985. [read more...]

Carlton Fisk Boston Red Sox MLB Autographed "1975 World Series Home Run" 16" x 20" Photograph with

Amazon Price: $119.99 (as of 12/14/2009)

Catcher Carlton Fisk had a 24-year career in major league baseball, playing 11 years with the Boston Red Sox and 13 years with the Chicago White Sox. The three-time Silver Slugger was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Fisk was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1967, but he didn't play full-time for them until 1972. Once he did become a regular Red Sox, he played consistently well. In his first full season, Fisk led the American League in triples and won both the American League Rookie of the Year award and the American League Gold Glove for catchers. [read more...]

Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero

by: Leigh Montville

Amazon Price: $12.24 (as of 12/14/2009)

Ted Williams, one of the greatest hitters of all time, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966. His career batting average was .344 with 521 career home runs and 1,839 RBIs.

Williams started playing major league baseball in 1939 with the Boston Red Sox, the team he played with for his entire 19 year career. In his first year, Williams led the American League in RBIs. Two years later, he ended the season with a batting average of .406, a record that no other player has been able to beat. [read more...]

Yastrzemski (Icons of Major League Baseball)

by: Carl Yastrzemski

Amazon Price: $26.56 (as of 12/14/2009)

Carl Yastrzemski, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox for 23 years, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. During his years in Boston, Yastrzemski won several awards, including seven Gold Gloves (1963, 1965, 1967-1969, 1971, 1977). He retired from baseball after the 1983 season, at the age of 44.

Yastrzemski signed his first contract with the Boston Red Sox in 1959 when he was just 20. He played in the minor leagues for two years and made his first appearance with the Red Sox in the 1961 season. It took two years in the majors before Yastrzemski showed his power and fielding skills. [read more...]