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Boston Red Sox Memories: My all decade 1950’s Red Sox team

By Rick McNair

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: A general view of the Fenway Park faced after the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays was postponed due to rain at Fenway Park on April 26, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: A general view of the Fenway Park faced after the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays was postponed due to rain at Fenway Park on April 26, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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General view of the infield and leftfield bleachers crowded with fans at Boston’s Fenway Park, home of the American League baseball team the Boston Red Sox, 1950s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
General view of the infield and leftfield bleachers crowded with fans at Boston’s Fenway Park, home of the American League baseball team the Boston Red Sox, 1950s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) /

Closer 

Ellis Kinder won 23 games as a starter (1949) and twice led the AL in saves. The right-handed Kinder got a late start at the MLB level becoming a rookie with the St. Louis Browns (1946).  With Boston, Kinder was plugged into the rotation until 1951 when Boston needed some significant bullpen help. Kinder did the job and also twice led the AL in games. Kinder had 93 saves for the Red Sox to go along with 83 wins.

Lefty Leo Kiely was originally a starter for Boston but eventually became the left-handed bullpen option for the Red Sox garnering 28 saves in six Boston seasons. Kiely pitched well at Fenway Park (15-6, 3.19), but if it was speed you wanted you’ll need to look elsewhere.  Kiley’s career 3.3 BB/9 almost matched his career 3.6 K/9.

MLB delays regular season by two weeks. dark. Next

Honorable Mention: Mike Fornieles had been with several teams before the right-hander came to Boston where he worked primarily out of the bullpen getting 48 saves in seven seasons when saves were far harder to get credit for.  Fornieles was the first-ever AL winner of the Sporting News Fireman of the Year (1960).

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