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Red Sox History: A historical look at feast or famine at third base

By Rick McNair

Jul 13, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; American League third baseman Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox (11) laughs during the first inning against the American League during the 2021 MLB All Star Game at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 13, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; American League third baseman Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox (11) laughs during the first inning against the American League during the 2021 MLB All Star Game at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 22: The sunsets during team workout for the Boston Red Sox in the 2013 World Series Media Day at Fenway Park on October 22, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox host the Cardinals in Game 1 on October 23, 2013. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 22: The sunsets during team workout for the Boston Red Sox in the 2013 World Series Media Day at Fenway Park on October 22, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox host the Cardinals in Game 1 on October 23, 2013. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The Red Sox wasted career of Joe Foy

The third baseman for the wondrous 1967 Red Sox was right-hand hitting Joe Foy and one of the saddest cases in Red Sox history. Foy had speed, a lousy glove, and good power. That season, Foy hit 16 home runs and hit .251; Foy also had a sandpaper relationship with hard-line manager Dick Williams. Was it race?

Foy was one of three Black players who were part of the core of the 1967 team. George Scott and Reggie Smith went on to have successful careers, and Foy was finished in a few seasons.

In 1969, Boston left Foy eligible for the expansion draft and the Royals scooped him up. Foy slashed .262/11/71 for the Royals and was shipped to the Mets. Next season it was Washington, and that was it. Why?

Rumors had circulated in his Boston days regarding substance abuse and alcoholism. Foy also started to look like Pablo Sandoval as his conditioning – a sore point with Williams – became even more of an issue. A career that was tossed away, but Foy did straighten out his life after returning to his hometown Bronx only to die of a heart attack at age-46.

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