Red Sox: Former pitchers that failed to live up to expectations
By Rick McNair
In 1965 manager Billy Herman led the Red Sox to a ninth-place finish in the American League with a miserable 62-100 record. Another depressing season for those of us who took the time to wander over to Fenway Park which was showing considerable wear and tear. One bright spot was a 22-year-old righty named, Dave Morehead.
Morehead and Bill Monbouquette tied for the league lead in losses with 18. A tall righty named Jim Lonborg almost matched Monbo and Morehead with his 17 losses. Hard-throwing Earl Wilson managed 13 wins to front the rotation. The glimmer of hope was the promise that both Lonborg and Morehead presented.
That hope faded quickly for Morehead, who in the next five seasons posted a total of 12 wins between Boston and Kansas City. What happened? Morehead simply wrecked his arm when his spikes caught in a game against the Tigers in 1966. According to Morehead “something popped” and that was that.
Morehead – like Brewer – had a great curve ball. The overhand twelve to six that he could drop over at any count. I actually saw Morehead toss a no-hitter at Fenway Park in 1965 when you would see more folks at a Dunkin’ Donuts that day than the ballpark.