Red Sox lineup provides July 4 fireworks
Left for dead, the Red Sox keep dragging you back with historically prolific performances such as the one authored yesterday.
The 4th of July holds a special place in the hearts of all Americans and there exist many activities that we engage in that are synonymous with Independence Day. Some of these activities are pleasurable, such as barbecues, friendly gatherings, and fireworks, while others we do our best to circumvent, such as visiting that Aunt or Uncle who seize every opportunity to remind us how much money cousin Fozzie is earning.
Monday’s fireworks commenced earlier than anticipated and there was no safety strategy in place, as these fireworks transpired on the baseball diamond of Fenway Park courtesy of your Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers by a 12-5 margin, and, much like the Stars and Stripes flown prominently over Fort Mchenry after withstanding British Bombardment during the War of 1812, upon the clearance of smoke from these fireworks, the Red Sox’s flag was still there and standing tall.
The Red Sox selected nine men for their July 4 lineup against the Texas Rangers and these men accomplished some historic feats that are deserving of recognition.
As a team, the Red Sox pounded out nine 2B, four HR, and twenty-one hits, as Hanley Ramirez, David Ortiz, and Sandy Leon contributed two, two, and three doubles, respectively. Every batter in the lineup scored at least one run, collected at least one hit, and accumulated at least two total bases. Seven batters scored at least one run, collected at least one hit and accumulated at least four total bases.
Seven batters produced multi-hit games, and four batters collected at least three hits: Pedey, Xander Bogaerts, Travis Shaw, and Sandy Leon. Leon led the hit parade with four knocks, three doubles and a single.
Five members of the lineup secured at least two RBI: Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia, Jackie Bradley, Brock Holt, and Travis Shaw.
Team Achievements
Since 1900, approximately 200,000 games have been played in Major League Baseball and only on three infinitesimally rare occurrences, has a single team recorded at least nine 2B, four HR, and twenty-one Hits. Surprisingly, the Red Sox have been on the business end of these feats during two of the three occasions: July 4, 2016 against the Texas Rangers and on June 8, 1950 against the Saint Louis Browns. The remaining instance occurred on May 19, 1999 as the Cincinnati Reds pummelled the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Player Achievements in a Single Team Game
In Red Sox franchise history, three players have scored at least one run while hitting at least two doubles on only four occasions: July 4, 2016 against Texas, July 29, 1990 against Detroit, May 18, 1946 against St. Louis, and Sept. 5, 1927 against the New York Yankees.
More from Red Sox History
- Two notable Red Sox anniversaries highlight current organizational failures
- Contemporary Era Committee doesn’t elect any former Red Sox to Hall of Fame
- Johnny Damon calls Red Sox out, reveals hilarious way he skirted Yankees’ grooming policy
- Remembering the best Red Sox Thanksgiving ever
- Red Sox World Series legends headline 2023 Hall of Fame ballot
Monday also marked the first time in Red Sox franchise history and only the fourth time in MLB history that all players in a team’s starting lineup, Designated Hitter included, scored at least one run, collected at least one hit, and accumulated at least two total bases. The Red Sox were on the receiving end of such accomplishments on two of these occasions: June 20, 1980 against the California Angels, and July 2, 2014 against the Chicago Cubs. The remaining instance occurred on July 12, 1998 by the Minnesota Twins.
Monday was also the first time in Red Sox Franchise history and only the ninth time in Major League baseball history that a team’s lineup was constituted by at least seven players who scored at least one run, while collecting at least one base hit, and accumulating at least four total bases.
Lastly, only three times in Red Sox History, have all starters both scored at least one run and acquired at least one hit: July 4, 2016 against the Texas Rangers, July 5, 2000 against the Minnesota Twins, and June 19, 1977 against the New York Yankees.
Next: Red Sox: Two records established in the past week
I hope that all readers had a splendid Fourth of July and appreciated this little excursion down memory lane.