Red Sox top 10 most memorable moments of 2015

Before we watch the ball drop during the countdown to midnight on New Year’s Eve, let’s count down the top moments of the year for the Boston Red Sox.

We are mere hours away from when the clock strikes midnight to officially close the book on 2015. Before we turn the page to a new year, let’s take a look back at the most memorable moments that we witnessed from the Boston Red Sox over the past twelve months.

2015 will go down as a year many Red Sox fans would like to forget, as the team finished with a second straight losing season that found them once again in the basement of the AL East. Making matters worse is that just about every major move that the team made last offseason backfired, saddling the franchise with several expensive veterans that failed to live up to their contracts.

It wasn’t all bad though, as this year treated us to several memorable moments that we can now fondly look back on as a silver lining to an otherwise disappointing season. This year we got to witness the debut of several promising young players, as well as some breakout performances from players who represent the core of the future. There were dozens of bright spots throughout the year, some of which may be more meaningful to certain fans than others. We offer our list of the ten most memorable moments of the year.

As dreary as last season was, it’s now in the past. The year comes to a close on a more promising note, offering hope for the future. Here’s hoping for an even brighter 2016.

Next: Red Sox sign Yoan Moncada

Red Sox sign Yoan Moncada
March 12, 2015

The Red Sox officially introduced 19-year old infielder Yoan Moncada, who agreed to sign in February to a $31.5 million signing bonus. The Cuban native became the most sought after talent on the International market from the moment he left the country with permission from the Cuban government.

The financial commitment actually cost the Red Sox double their investment, with an additional $31.5 million going to Major League Baseball as a 100 percent overage tax for exceeding their allotment of International bonus money. Even at a staggering $63 million, Moncada is expected to be worth it. Some scouts even compare the signing to being the equivalent of obtaining the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

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The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Moncada hit .277 over two seasons with Cienfuegos in Cuba’s Serie Nacional league before leaving the country to pursue his dream of playing in the United States. He’s a five-tool player with a superstar ceiling, which is why he immediately became the top-ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization and currently ranks as the No. 8 prospect overall by MLB.com.

Moncada played 81 games with the Greenville Drive, the team’s low Class A affiliate, in his first season with the organization, hitting .278/.380/.438 with 8 home runs and 49 steals over 363 plate appearances. That included a scorching month of August in which he hit .333 with a 1.024 OPS.

Given his age and inexperience, we may be years away from seeing Moncada in Boston, but his tantalizing talent will continue to keep Red Sox fans salivating over his future. He is considered one of the few assets that the front office considers near untouchable and his early success and pedigree indicates he could fly through the minor league system.

Next: Red Sox win Opening Day

Red Sox win Opening Day
April 6, 2015

This season may not have gone the way we expected it to, but it certainly got off to a promising start with a shutout victory in Philadelphia.

Clay Buchholz pitched a gem, holding the Phillies to a mere three hits over seven scoreless innings, while striking out 9. Concerns over the rotation’s lack of a legitimate ace would eventually prove to be warranted, but Buchholz certainly proved himself worthy of that label in his first start. Even more impressive was the fact that he out-dueled Phillies ace Cole Hamels, who was rumored to be a trade target of the Red Sox at the time.

As great as Buchholz was in that opening start, it was the offense that ignited excitement from Red Sox fans. The team combined for five home runs that day, including two each for Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez. The second time that Ramirez went deep came in the 9th inning with the bases loaded on a ball he crushed despite breaking his bat. It was the second Opening Day grand slam of Ramirez’s career and only the third time it has been done by a player in a Red Sox uniform.

Ramirez’s outstanding debut made him seem worthy of every cent of the 4-year, $88 million deal the Red Sox handed him last winter. He carried that momentum through the rest of April, finishing the month with 10 home runs. Unfortunately he would hit only 9 more the rest of the season, as his production spiraled down the drain as he dealt with various injuries. Combine that with the disastrous results of experimenting with him in left field and Ramirez quickly turned from hero to bust.

Now stuck with Ramirez’s bloated contract, the Red Sox are forced to try him at first base as he attempts to redeem himself in 2016. As poorly as his season ended, we forget how great it started.

Next: Red Sox defeat Yankees in 19 inning marathon

Red Sox defeat Yankees in 19 inning marathon
April 10, 2015

The only fans that can find this event memorable are the ones that actually stayed awake long enough to see it. When the 19th inning finally came to an end on a game-ending double-play, the clock showed 2:13 AM here on the East Coast. That’s late even for a Friday night, but it was worth it for those fans that lasted until the end to see the Red Sox top the Yankees.

With Koji Uehara serving an early season stint on the disabled list, fill-in closer Edward Mujica blew his first save of the season by surrendering a solo home run to Chase Headley to tie the game at three apiece. That would send the game into extra-innings, where the bullpens would battle through six straight scoreless frames.

David Ortiz put the Red Sox ahead with a home run in the top of the 16th inning, only for Mark Teixeria (who turned 35 years old when the clock struck midnight during that game) to counter with a solo shot of his own.

An RBI single from Pablo Sandoval put the Red Sox back ahead in the 18th inning, but they would squander yet another lead when Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran hit back-to-back doubles to tie it once more in the bottom of the inning. Thus, the game continued.

The game was finally won on a sac fly by Mookie Betts in the top of the 19th inning. The Yankees would get the lead-off man on board to start the bottom of the inning, but Steven Wright got a fly out and a double-play to seal the victory. Wright proved to be a savior for a taxed Red Sox bullpen, tossing the final five innings after the team had run out of other options.

This game would end up being the longest game by time in Red Sox history, taking over 7 hours to complete. The two teams would combine for 138 at-bats and 627 pitches thrown by 17 pitchers. Then after all that, both teams would meet again less than 12 hours later for an afternoon game on Saturday.

Next: Brock Holt hits for the cycle

Brock Holt hits for the cycle
June 16, 2015

Brock Holt became the first Red Sox player to hit for the cycle in 19 years to lead the team to a 9-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves, snapping a seven-game losing streak.

Holt began the day with a double to lead off the bottom of the first inning, then scored the game’s first run when Betts followed with a double of his own to drive him in.

The only out that Holt recorded during his 4-for-5 day at the plate came on a ground out in the third inning, when Braves pitcher Julio Teheran retired the side in order. Two innings later Holt would single to right, only to be caught stealing to end the inning with the game tied at 2.

Boston piled on three more runs to take the lead in the 6th without Holt’s assistance, but he would extend that lead with a solo homer in the 7th inning to put the Red Sox up 6-2.

The game nearly came to an end without giving Holt another at-bat, but Alejandro De Aza beat out an infield single to give his teammate one last shot at the cycle in the bottom of the 8th. The Brock Star took advantage of the opportunity, smacking a shot to the triangle in center field that bounced around just long enough for him to hustle his way to third for the triple he needed to complete the cycle.

Holt became the first player in the majors to hit for the cycle in 2015 and the first Red Sox player to do it since John Valentin in 1996.

Next: Pedro enshrined in HOF

Pedro Martinez enshrined in the baseball Hall of Fame
July 26, 2015

The Hall of Fame Class of 2015 included four of the greatest players of this era, but it was Pedro Martinez that stole the show at the induction ceremony. The former Red Sox ace gave an excellent speech that showcased his goofy sense of humor as much as the pride he has in his career accomplishments and his Dominican heritage.

In earning an even 500 votes (91.1%), Martinez joined Randy Johnson (97.3%) and John Smoltz (82.9%) as first-ballot inductees this year. Craig Biggio (82.7%) also joined the Class of ’15 on his third year on the ballot.

Martinez’s induction was a special moment for Red Sox fans. While he didn’t finish his career here in Boston, this is where he spent his prime years. During his seven seasons with the Red Sox Martinez won 117 games while posting a 2.52 ERA and 10.95 K/9. He produced a 51.8 WAR during that span, which stands as the third most ever from a Red Sox pitcher. He won a pair of Cy Young awards in Boston, was selected to four All-Star appearances and was a vital part of winning a World Series title in 2004.

This year Martinez became the first Hall of Fame inductee to be enshrined wearing a Red Sox cap since Jim Rice in 2009. It also made him only the second Hall of Famer that primarily played for this franchise to be inducted in the last decade.

The Red Sox honored his induction by retiring his No. 45 at Fenway two days after he was enshrined in Cooperstown.

Next: John Farrell takes medical leave

John Farrell takes medical leave
August 14, 2015

Not all memories from this year are good ones. The franchise was hit with frightening news when it was revealed that manager John Farrell had been diagnosed with cancer.

The form of lymphoma that Farrell suffered from was still in Stage 1 when doctors detected it while performing hernia surgery. He would be forced to step away from the team in order to undergo chemo treatments, but throughout the process the manager maintained a positive attitude while remaining optimistic that he would beat this “highly curable” form of cancer.

And beat it he did, as Farrell has since been given a clean bill of health and is expected to take his place in the Red Sox dugout when Spring Training rolls around.

During his absence, bench coach Torey Lovullo was named interim manager and led the Red Sox to a 27-20 record down the stretch. He will return to his previous position with the team, alongside Farrell, in 2016. Lovullo agreed to a two-year extension in October to remain with the Red Sox, aligning his contract with the extension that they gave Farrell back February that lasts through the 2017 season.

Some things are bigger than sports. As glad as the Red Sox will be to have the manager that led them to a 2013 title back in the dugout, they are most thankful to see him healthy again. Farrell stepping away from the team was one of the more significant moments of the year, but the announcement that he will return next season was the best news of all.

Next: Dombrowski named president of baseball operations

Dave Dombrowski named president of baseball operations
August 18, 2015

Former general manager Ben Cherington sealed his fate with a series of ill-advised decisions that would derail Boston’s season before it even began. The Ramirez and Sandoval signings became busts in only their first season with the team, as each ranked among the worst position players in the league. Cherington also lavished a four-year, $82.5 million extension on Rick Porcello before waiting to see how he would acclimate to his new team, only to watch him become one of the league’s least valuable pitchers.

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The spectacular failure of this season paved the way for a front office shakeup, leading to Dave Dombrowski being hired as the team’s president of baseball operations. Cherington was given the opportunity to remain in his GM role, but he declined to stay after being stripped of his power. Dombrowski is calling the shots now, with Mike Hazen being promoted to the GM position to work under him.

Dombrowski had previously served as GM for the Detroit Tigers, before abruptly parting ways in July, ending his 14-year tenure with the team. He came with a reputation of a leader that was never afraid to make bold moves, having previously traded for superstars such as Miguel Cabrera and Max Scherzer during his time in Detroit.

He’s only been in Boston for about four months, but Dombrowski is already living up to that reputation by making significant moves to drastically overhaul the starting rotation and bullpen.

A year ago Red Sox fans were excited about the shiny new toys that Cherington had collected, but those big names turned into big disasters. Will Dombrowski’s moves work out any better? Time will tell, but it certainly seems like he’s off to a tremendous start in turning this team around.

Next: David Ortiz hits 500th home run

David Ortiz hits 500th career home run
September 12, 2015

David Ortiz was offered the chance to take the day off, but he insisted on being in the lineup when the Red Sox traveled to Tampa Bay to take on the Rays. Turns out that was a wise decision.

Ortiz blasted a pair of homers in that game to become the 27th player in history to hit 500 career home runs.

A three-run shot in the first inning gave the Red Sox an early lead and gave Ortiz No. 499 for his career. He wouldn’t wait around long to add No. 500, lining a solo shot to right-center in the fifth inning on a 2-2 pitch from Matt Moore.

It was the 50th multi-homer game of Big Papi’s storied career. He also joined Albert Pujols as the only players in history to hit No. 499 and 500 in the same game.

Ortiz joined Jimmie Foxx (1940), Ted Williams (1960) and Manny Ramirez (2008) as the only players to hit their 500th home run in a Red Sox uniform. Williams, who is tied for 19th all-time with 521 home runs, is the only one of them to spend his entire career in Boston. Ortiz has a realistic chance of surpassing him on the all-time list next year, with Foxx within reach as well. He’d need an epic 52 homer season to catch Manny, which would be two short of the career-high he set in 2006.

Ortiz announced in November that he will retire after the 2016 season. The 40-year old remains one of the most feared hitters in the lineup, leading the team last season with 37 home runs, 108 RBI and a .360 OBP. He’s finishing his career strong, which hopefully will help him go out on top with a fourth championship ring.

Next: Betts makes home run-robbing catch

Mookie Betts makes home run-robbing catch to preserve Rich Hill‘s shutout
September 25, 2015

One of the most remarkable stories of the season was the resurgence of Rich Hill, who hadn’t started a game in the big leagues since 2009. He spent several years battling injuries and bouncing back and forth from the minors, including a three year stint (2010-2012) with the Red Sox in which he was limited to a total of 31.2 innings out of the bullpen. It seemed as if we had seen the last of Hill at the major league level, until a Red Sox team far from contention decided to give him another shot in the rotation.

The results were beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Hill was 2-1 with a sparkling 1.55 ERA over 4 starts to end the season. He struck out 30 while walking only 5 in 23.0 innings, including three straight games with double-digit strikeouts.

The best performance of Hill’s abbreviated season came in a win at Fenway Park over the Baltimore Orioles, who he limited to a pair of hits in a complete game shutout. It was only his second career shutout, with the other coming way back in 2006 when he was a starter for the Chicago Cubs.

Hill was dominant in that outing, but he wouldn’t have completed the shutout if it weren’t for an outstanding play by Betts. With two outs in the top of the 9th inning, Baltimore’s

, who led the majors in home runs this season, stepped to the plate. Davis lined a shot to right field that seemed destined to clear the wall, only to be robbed by a leaping catch from Betts that sent him crashing head-first into the bullpen.

A complete game shutout is worthy of remembrance on it’s own, but the dramatic ending makes it all the more memorable.

Next: Red Sox sign David Price