Boston Red Sox trivia tidbits while waiting for 2020 season start
By Rick McNair
A list of Boston Red Sox facts and minutia tidbits.
While we await for the start of the regular season that is now only a couple of weeks away, here’s a list of Boston Red Sox facts to help pass the time. Feel free to use these tidbits to stump your friends in a rousing round of baseball trivia.
The first Red Sox 20 game-winner was Bill Dinneen in 1902 with 21 wins.
The first 20 game loser was also “Big Bill” with 21 losses in 1902.
The above can be argued since Cy Young won 33 games in 1901 and another 32 in 1902. The first 30 game-winner in franchise history.
The first game at Fenway Park was on 4/9/1912 against not an American League (AL) rival but a 2-0 win over Harvard.
The first official game was against the Highlanders (Yankees).
The last Red Sox player to lead the AL in triples was Jacoby Ellsbury (10) in 2009.
Gene Conley played for three professional teams in Boston: The Celtics, Braves, and Red Sox.
How low can you go? Pedro Martinez and his 0.7373 WHIP in 2000.
The Red Sox will have a belated spring training in Boston. In 1943-44 they had spring training in Medford, MA.
In 1932 the Red Sox finished 43-111 (.279).
The original Green Monster was not green or a monster, but a 25’ tall wooden slab.
The Red Sox were once called the “Somersets” in honor of their original owner Charlie Somers.
In 1909 and 1912, Tris Speaker had 35 outfield assists each year, leading all of baseball.
The last Red Sox player to lead MLB in outfield assists was Andrew Benintendi (12) in 2018.
The formidable Mr. Young led the AL in saves in 1903. Only two, however.
In 1935, pitcher Wes Ferrell hit seven home runs, notched 32 RBI, and hit .347.
Dennis Eckersley is the last thousand-hundred pitcher: 1,000+ games played and 100+ complete games.
Daniel Nava is only the second player to hit a grand slam on the first pitch he ever saw in MLB.
The Red Sox are in second place with 1,137 games played by cubic players. A cubic player has the uniform number, field position, and batting order position all the same.
Brandon Phillips (700) is the all-time cubic game leader.
Harry Hooper (1915) was the first player to get two home runs in a World Series-clinching game. Steve Pearce (2018) was the last to do it.
Mike Herrera played for the Red Sox in 1925-1926 and was one of a handful of players that also played in the Negro Leagues. Did Herrera and the others pre-date Jackie Robinson?
Jim Rice is the only MLB player to lead in triples, home runs, and RBI the same season.
The cost to build Fenway Park was $650,000. The current ownership has spent nearly $300 MM on renovations and improvements to Fenway Park.
Next. Way too early on Red Sox 2021 schedule highlights. dark
Dubious distinctions for versatile Tim Wakefield: All-time Red Sox pitching leader in home runs allowed (401), hits (2,931), walks (1095), losses (168), wild pitches (125), and hit by pitch (176). Longevity has a downside.
Chris Sale got the first and last out of the 2018 World Series.