Police escort hauls back Red Sox catcher
Right-hand hitting Doug Mirabelli had two tours with the Red Sox, resulting in a ring. Part of the dramatic 2004 team and later the 2007 team after returning via police escort to Fenway Park. Mirabelli’s claim to fame was his ability to catch knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.
Mirabelli played 12 seasons at the MLB level with four teams, essentially a career backup catcher. The 12 seasons produced 566 games and a .231 batting average. The occasional power was there with 58 career home runs, including 48 in his seven seasons with Boston.
Catching Wakefield should include hazard pay as Mirabelli twice led the AL in passed balls. But they were a regular tandem and started Game 1 of the 2004 World Series.
Mirabelli lost his backup role to future Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash in spring training of 2008 and retired. I wonder if he still owns Corvette’s?