Boston Red Sox Retire Carl Yastrzemski's Jersey

On August 6, 1989, the Boston Red Sox retire Carl Yastrzemski's No. 8 jersey.

Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox (1961–1983). He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career played at first base and as a designated hitter.

Yastrzemski is an 18-time All-Star, and the 1970 All-Star Game MVP. He is the possessor of seven Gold Gloves, including three consecutive from 1967-1969. He is a member of the 3000 hit club, and the first American League player in that club to also accumulate over 400 home runs.

Since then Cal Ripken Jr. has matched the feat.

He is second on the all-time list for games played, and third for total at-bats.

He is the Red Sox' all-time leader in career RBIs, runs, hits, singles, doubles, total bases, and games played, and is second on the team's list for home runs behind another Red Sox great, Ted Williams, his predecessor in left field.

In 1967, Yastrzemski achieved a peak in his career, leading the Red Sox to the American League pennant for the first time in over two decades, in that season being voted the American League MVP, and was the last winner of the Triple Crown for batters in the major leagues until Miguel Cabrera achieved the feat in 2012.

Sports Illustrated named Yastrzemski the Sportsman of the Year after winning the Triple Crown.

Yastrzemski retired in 1983 at the age of 44, although he stated in his autobiography Yaz that he was initially planning on playing the 1984 season, until he tired from a long midseason slump. He also stated that had he known how good Roger Clemens would have been as a pitcher, he would have played in 1984 to have a chance to play with him.

Yastrzemski would finish his career with a .285 career batting average with 3,419 hits, 452 home runs and 1,844 RBIs.

Yastrzemski was inducted into the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 with 94.63 percent of the vote on the first ballot in which he appeared.

In 1999, Yastrzemski ranked number 72 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players. That same season, he was named a finalist to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

As of the 2008 baseball season, on the all-time lists for Major League baseball, Yastrzemski ranks at number one for games played for one team, a record shared with Baltimore Orioles great and Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson.

Yastrzemski is number two for games played with 3,308, number three for at-bats, number six for hits with 3,419, number six for bases on balls with 1,845, number eight for total bases, number eight for doubles with 646, number nine with 1,157 extra base hits and 12 for RBIs with 1,844.

In addition, Yastrzemski only trails Ty Cobb in hits collected with a single team, and trails only Cobb and Tris Speaker in hits collected playing in the American League, both of whom played before World War II.

Boston Red Sox Roger Clemens Earns Win 200

On May 21, 1996, former Red Sox pitcher and Hall of Famer Roger Clemens beats the New York Yankees for career win 200.

Clemens nicked “The Rocket” would go on to have a great career pitching for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens in 1995.

Clemens would rack up many more accolades in his career besides just winning 200 games, including seven CY Young awards, in 1986, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2004, which are two more than the next player on the list Randy Johnson, who would earn five over his 20-year career. Clemens would also win the 1986 All-Star Game MVP.

Clemens would be nominated to the All-Star game 11 times, including 1986, 1988, 1990-1992, 1997-1998, 2001, 2003-2005. Clemens also won two World Series titles with the New York Yankees in 1999 and 2000.

Clemens is also one of only two pitchers to have a 20-strikeout game; the other was Chicago Cubs Kerry Wood. However, Clemens is the only pitcher to accomplish the feat twice, doing so in 1986 and 1996.

Clemens would finish his career with

In 1986 Clemens won the MVP and the CY Young award, becoming the first pitcher in the American League since 1971 to win both awards in the same season. In 1971 Vida Blue did the feat.

Clemens finished the season with a league leading 24 wins, 238 strikeouts and a league leading 2.48 ERA. Clemens fantastic season on the mound beat out Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees for the MVP, Mattingly had a solid season with a league leading 238 hits, league leading 53 doubles, 31 home runs, 113 RBI’s and a .352 batting average.

Since Clemens two other pitchers have won the CY Young award and the AL MVP in the same season.

New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens in 2000.

Oakland Athletics closer Dennis Eckersley in 1992, with a record of 7-1, with a league leading 51 saves, 91 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.91. The runner up that year was Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins. Puckett had a good season with a league leading 210 hits, 19 home runs, 110 RBI’s and a .329 batting average.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander in 2011, with a record of 24-5, league leading 250 strikeouts and a league leading ERA of 2.40. The runner up that year was Jacoby Ellsbury of the Boston Red Sox. Ellsbury had a good season with 32 home runs, 105 RBI’s, 39 stolen bases and a .321 batting average.

When Clemens finished his career he had 354 wins and 184 losses, a 3.12 ERA and 4,672 strikeouts. His 354 wins were good enough for seventh all-time when he retired, but Greg Maddux has since surpassed him with 355 wins. His 4,672 strikeouts were good enough for second all-time when he retired but since then Randy Johnson has surpassed him with 4,875.

Clemens won the pitching Triple Crown twice in his career, both in his time with the Blue Jays in back-to-back seasons. In 1997 Clemens finished the season with a 2.05 ERA, 21 wins and 292 strikeouts leading the MLB in all three categories. In 1998 his stats would not be as impressive but he would once again lead the MLB in ERA with 2,65, wins with 20 and strikeouts with 271.

Clemens in one of only five pitchers to have won the pitching Triple Crown more than one time. The others are Christy Matthewson, 2, Walter Johnson, 3, Grover Cleveland Alexander, 3, Left Grove, 2, Lefty Gomez, 2 and Sandy Koufax, 3.

In 1999, Clemens was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

Clemens was on the ballot for the Cooperstown Hall of Fame this year but with his name still being dragged through the mud, which is the Mitchell Report and steroids in baseball it might be a few years before he makes his entrance into the Hall of Fame.

Red Sox Ace Roger Clemens Sets MLB Record

On April 29, 1986, that Roger Clemens became the first pitcher in MLB history to strikeout 20 batters in a nine inning major league game.  Clemens accomplished the feat against the Seattle Mariners in a game played at Fenway Park.

Roger Clemens during his 1986 start against the Seattle Mariners where he struck out a Major League record 20 batters.

Clemens would achieve this mark in only his third full season, at the young age of 23.  This was Roger’s breakthrough year as he finished the season with a league leading 24 wins to go along with his American League best 2.48 earned run average.  His spectacular campaign earned him both the American League M.V.P. as well as the Cy Young award.

“Rocket” Roger Clemens would reach the 20 strikeout plateau for the second time more than ten years later during a game against the Detroit Tigers, in what would end up being his third-to-last game as a member of the Boston Red Sox. 

Two men have since matched Clemens’ performance, with Kerry Wood striking out 20 in 1998 against the Houston Astros and Randy Johnson doing the same in 2001 against the Cincinnati Reds.

Red Sox Hire Francona

On Dec. 4, 2003, the Boston Red Sox hire Terry Francona as manager.

Francona played in the Major Leagues for 10 years for the Montreal Expos from 1981-1985, the Chicago Cubs in 1986, the Cincinnati Reds in 1987, the Cleveland Indians in 1988, and the Milwaukee Brewers in 1989-1990.

Francona wasn’t an All-Star caliber player but he did play the game posting a career .274 batting average with 16 home runs and 143 RBI’s in his career.

After his playing career was over Francona began coaching, spending several years in the Chicago White Sox organization. In 1991, he managed the rookie league Sarasota White Sox of the Gulf Coast League. In 1992, he ran the South Bend White Sox of the mid-level Class A Midwest League. As manager of the AA franchise Birmingham Barons from 1993–1995, he posted a 223-203 record and won two distinctions: Southern League Manager of the Year in 1993, Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year in 1993, and top managerial candidate by Baseball America in 1994, the same year Michael Jordan played for Birmingham. Birmingham won the Southern League championship in 1993.

He managed in the Dominican Winter League with the Águilas Cibaeñas, and he also won the championship and the Serie del Caribe in 1994–95. That team included Miguel Tejada, Manny Ramirez, and Tony Batista.

In 1996 he started his Major League coaching career, becoming the third-base coach for the Detroit Tigers, working under their new skipper, Buddy Bell, a former teammate of Francona on the Reds.

fter the season ended, he was hired as manager of the Phillies, who had won the NL pennant in 1993 but then had three consecutive losing seasons.

In Francona's four seasons (1997 through 2000) as the Phillies skipper, the club never rose above third place in the National League East. His best finish with the Phillies was 77–85 in 1999. In 1998 and 1999, the Phillies finished in third place, behind the Atlanta Braves and their division-rival New York Mets.

He was fired following the 2000 campaign, and spent the following season as a special assistant to the general manager with the Cleveland Indians in (2001), which was followed by two one-year terms as a bench coach for the Texas Rangers (2002) and Oakland Athletics (2003).

In 2004, he was finally given the head managerial spot he desired. The Red Sox hired Francona to manage their club in 2004, after Grady Little's contract was not renewed following the Red Sox loss in the 2003 American League Championship Series.

Francona led the Red Sox to a 98–64 record in 2004, the second-best record in the American League behind their biggest nemesis, the New York Yankees. The club jelled in the second half and was the hottest in baseball after the All-Star break.

As the American League wild card, the Red Sox swept the AL West champion Anaheim Angels, three games to none, in the Division Series. In the 2004 American League Championship Series, the Red Sox fell behind the Yankees, three games to none, including a 19–8 loss in Game 3 at home in Fenway Park. However, the club regained its composure and won the last four games of the series, the first time in Major League Baseball history that a team rallied from an 0–3 deficit to win a playoff series (only the third team to even make it as far as Game 6, and the only team to even force a Game 7 after trailing a series three games to zero). The Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals, 4–0, in the 2004 World Series, ending the so-called Curse of the Bambino.

During the 2005 season, Francona was hospitalized after complaining of severe chest pains. Tests revealed significantly clogged arteries, but it was concluded that Francona had not suffered a heart attack. This incident, as well as a life-threatening pulmonary embolism suffered in 2002, ongoing treatment for blood clots, and painful knees, have led to circulation issues which necessitate wearing extra clothes, including two pairs of tights. This is also why his regular uniform top is usually hidden by a pullover.

Two years later, the Sox won the AL East Division, finishing two games ahead of the Yankees. Under Francona's leadership, the Sox swept the Angels in the Division Series before dropping three of the first four games to the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS. The Sox, facing elimination, went on to win their next three games, defeating Cleveland to advance to the 2007 World Series, where they swept the Colorado Rockies in four games. Terry Francona is the only manager in Major League history to win his first eight consecutive World Series games and just the second manager to guide two Red Sox clubs to World Series titles, the other being Bill "Rough" Carrigan who led Boston to back-to-back championships in 1915 and 1916.

As of October 1, 2008, Francona's career regular-season managerial record was 755–703 (.518), while his post-season record was 22–9 (.710). Among managers who have managed at least 20 post-season games, he has the highest winning percentage. Francona is the first manager in MLB history to win his first eight games in the World Series.

Francona was 7–0 in playoff elimination games until Game 5 of the 2005 ALDS, against the Chicago White Sox, when he became 6–1 and 9–0 in ALCS elimination games until Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS, against the Tampa Bay Rays, when he became 9–1.

On June 2, 2009, Francona recorded his 500th win as manager of the Red Sox, making him the third manager in club history to have 500 wins. The only other two to win at least 500 games as manager of the Red Sox are Joe Cronin (1,071), and Mike Higgins (560).

On May 6, 2010, Francona became the fourth person to manage 1,000 games for the Red Sox.

On July 23, 2011, Francona got his 1,000th win as a manager. He became only the second manager in Red Sox history (after Joe Cronin) to accomplish this feat. Later that season, he presided over one of the worst collapses in the history of Major League Baseball when the Red Sox went 7-20 for the month of September and squandered a nine-game lead over the Rays for the AL Wild Card spot in the postseason. Following the season, the Red Sox declined to exercise Francona's 2012 option.

Francona was hired as manager of the Cleveland Indians on October 6, 2012, and officially introduced on October 8. Thus returning to the dugout after a one-year hiatus of managing in baseball and doing sports broadcasting duties. The Indians chose Francona over Sandy Alomar Jr., who served as the club's interim manager for the final six games after Manny Acta was fired on Sept. 27.

Francona and Alomar, who spent the past three seasons as a coach in Cleveland, were the only candidates to interview for the Indians' opening.

Alomar stayed in Cleveland under Francona's staff as bench coach.

DiMaggio Wins MVP

On Nov. 27, 1941, Martinez Native Joe DiMaggio beats Ted Williams to win the American League MVP.

Though the numbers would suggest Wiilliams might have had a superior season hitting than DiMaggio, as Williams hit for a .406 batting average, while clubbing 37 home runs and bringing in 120 RBI’s. However it was DiMaggio who had done something no man had ever done before, and has equaled to this date. While hitting for a very respectable .357 batting average with 30 home runs and bringing in 125 RBI’s, DiMaggio hit safely in 56-consecutive games.

DiMaggio would be the first and only hitter to hit safely in over 50 games, breaking the pervious record which is still held in the National League by Willie Keeler who played for the Baltimore Orioles.

Since DiMaggio hit safely in 56-consecutive games only four players have come within 20-games, and only a single player has come within 15.

In 1945 Tommy Holmes of the Boston Braves, was the first player who had a sizeable shot at catching DiMaggio’s record, as he hit in 37-consecutive games.

Over the 2005 and 2006 seasons a Bay Area native in Alameda’s Jimmy Rollins hit safely in 38-consecutive games.

In 1987 Paul Molitor of the Milwaukee Brewers hit safely in 39-consecutive games.

But no player since DiMaggio has hit in over 40-consecutive games besides Pete Rose, who hit safely in 44-consecutive games during his 1978 season with the Cincinnati Reds.

To me I think DiMaggio’s consecutive game hit-streak is one of the last of the untouchable records in baseball, with the others being Barry Bonds’ home run record for a single season and a career, along with Rickey Henderson’s stolen base record.

Red Sox End Curse

On Oct. 27, 2004, the Boston Red Sox put an end to the “Curse of the Bambino”. 

The Red Sox finally ended their championship curse as they defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series to complete the sweep.

It was the first title for the franchise since 1918. The Red Sox started their stunning postseason run by overcoming a 3-0 series deficit against the New York Yankees. Boston won eight straight games to close the postseason.

The Red Sox would continue their winning ways with another World Series title in 2006 as they swept the Colorado Rockies in four games.

This year the Red Sox are once again battling the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. But after last nights play the Red Sox now trail in the series two games to one.

Buckner Costs Sox The Series

On Oct. 25, 1986, Buckner's mistake costs Red Sox the World Series.

On this day in 1986, the famous Bill Buckner error took place in Game 6 of the World Series. 

The Red Sox led 5-3 in the bottom of the tenth inning and were on their way to winning the World Series trophy. 

But a Mets rally kept the game alive. 

After a wild pitch, Bill Buckner misplayed a routine ground ball and allowed the Mets to steal the game. 

New Work would take the series in seven games.

"Hit Heard Around The World"

On Oct. 3, 1951 New York Giants Bobby Thomson hits a walk-off home run to win the pennant, defeating their cross-town rivals the Brooklyn Dodgers. Thomson’s home run has been named the “Hit heard around the world.”

Despite Thomson’s heroics to win the pennant, the Giants would end up losing the World Series to the New York Yankees in six games.

While best known for his walk-off home run against the Dodgers, Thomson had a great career which saw him play for 15 years with the Giants, Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

Over his career Thomson, nicknamed "The Staten Island Scot," was a three-time All-Star, including back-to-back appearances in 1948-1949. Though never an MVP, Thomson was in the MVP conversation three times over the course of his career, with his highest voting for the MVP Award coming in 1951 when he finished eighth. That year he had career highs in home runs with 32, which was the fifth highest total in the MLB that year, and walks with 73. Thomson also had the fourth highest slugging percentage in MLB.

Thomson put up solid numbers over his career including playing in 1,779 games over 15 seasons. Over those 15 seasons, Thomson had 6,305 at-bats with 1,705 hits, consisting of 1,100 singles, 267 doubles, 74 triples and 264 home runs for a .270 lifetime batting average. Thomson also knocked in 1,026 RBIs, scored 903 runs, totaled 38 stolen bases and walked 559 times, while striking out 804 times.

Thomson led the league in triples once, with 14 in 1952. That was also his highest single season total of triples.

Scottish baseball team, the Edinburgh Diamond Devils, named their home "Bobby Thomson Field.” It was opened by the man himself in 2003 while he was in Scotland to be inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.

The UK Chapter of The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) is named the Bobby Thomson Chapter.

Paige Sets MLB Record

On Sept. 25, 1965, Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige becomes the oldest person to play in an MLB game.

At age 59 (or 60 depending on where you read it) Paige was brought in by the last-place Kansas City Athletics, who figured he could attract some fans. Satchel played the part of the old man in style, sitting in the bullpen in a rocking chair as a nurse rubbed his arm. Then he went out and shutout the Red Sox for three innings, striking out one and allowing a sole hit to Carl Yastrzemski. He exited to a standing ovation from the 9,289 faithful, with "The Old Gray Mare" playing in the background.

Paige continued to play minor league ball for several years before he became a Braves assistant in 1969. The position allowed him to qualify for pension, and Paige did most of his coaching from his living room in Kansas City.

Two years later, a special committee selected him as the first Negro League star to be inducted in the Hall of Fame. He was a Hall of Famer at age 65, even though he was only six years removed from pitching. But as Paige himself once said, "Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter."

Cobb Makes His Debut

On Aug. 30, 1905 Ty Cobb made his major league debut for the Detroit Tigers. Cobb was just 19 years old and played in 41 games in 1905. 

He would retire as the all-time hits leader, with 4,191 hits, now he second behind only Pete Rose. 

He still holds the career record for batting average with .367, in part to such a high batting average was his three seasons of hitting over .400, which is tied for a MLB record. 

But what is more impressive is that he only batted below .320 once. Now if you bat .319 you are awesome, to Cobb that was a poor season.

Cobb also won 12 batting titles, including nine in a row from 1907-1915, he also owns the most batting titles of all time. Cobb also has the most career steals of home, with 54.

Cobb remained with the Tigers until 1926, as he player managed the team from 1921-1926. Cobb played his final two years with the Philadelphia Athletics from 1927-1928.

Cobb was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, and Cooperstown Hall of Fame in 1936 with 98.2 percent of the vote.