Red Sox Memories: What happened to these 1986 players?
By Rick McNair
The Boston Red Sox in 1986 were this close to vanquishing the curse. Now a look at six players from the team who were not stars.
The Red Sox long curse of having vacant space for a World Series Championship flag was erased in 1986. How do I know that? How did you miss that? The New York Mets had inadvertently posted a congratulatory message on their message board directed at the Red Sox. The message was quickly removed as quick as you can say on to game seven.
The dramatic conclusion of game six is etched in Red Sox lore and is now passed down from one generation to the next. Names reverberate regarding that dismal chapter – Bill Buckner, Calvin Schiraldi, Dave Stapleton, and Mookie Wilson with their roles in the drama at first base recounted and analyzed.
A cottage industry has grown around that game and one play in particular. That can be reviewed here for those who wish the pain.
Looking at the Red Sox roster for 1986 many names surface that are iconic to the franchise – Roger Clemens had a 24-4 season to lead the talent parade. Dwight Evans produced his usual power numbers and Wade Boggs won another batting title.
Jim Rice was putting the finishing touches on a Hall of Fame career with a .325 average and 20 home runs. But what about some lesser names? Let’s take a look. What happened? Where are they now?