Red Sox History: The 2022 season is starting to resemble the 1967 season
By Rick McNair
Time for Red Sox management to go all-in on the 2022 season
The Boston Red Sox completed an excellent road trip to the west coast, finishing with an 8-2 record, where they often had their hopes buried in the past. That trip has made me a believer, as this team has discovered a way to tap into the unknown and succeed. Players at all talent levels are contributing, and this is beginning to remind me of that glorious seminal of all Red Sox seasons – 1967.
As a nine-year-old, I faced the bitter outcome of “MY” team leaving Boston as the Braves picked up and slithered to Milwaukee. No more Sam Jethroe, Warren Spahn, and Eddie Mathews, but I quickly switched gears to that other team.
From 1953 to 1966, they were your non-descript .500 or less ballclub. There was Ted Williams, of course, and Jackie Jensen, Frank Malzone, and a few others. The highlight was a sweep of a five-game series against the New York Yankees in 1959 that scuttled Yankee hopes for another pennant.
By 1967, I had passed through pre-teen, teen, and now into the young adult phase and began to understand the complexities of baseball. That season, a new sheriff was in town as the Red Sox hired Dick Williams as manager, and Williams would make a Paris Island drill Sargent look like Mary Poppins. Still, there were doubts.
A weekend series in California saw the team lose a notch with each of three consecutive losses. The Sox limped back to Fenway Park in fifth place but still 2.5 games out. A twelve-game home stand began, making a believer out of me and millions of others.
The Angels were first in line, and Tony Conigliaro’s career ended effectively in that game. Boston won, as they did nine more times on that homestand, with a new hero being minted daily. At the end of the 12-game stretch, the Sox were tied for first place, and the rest of the season was teams changing first place almost daily until Rico Petrocelli got that popup and Dick McAuliffe hit into a double play to finish off the Tigers.
The little things count, and the little players certainly do. A gritty five innings from Kutter Crawford against Seattle’s ace Robbie Ray set the foundation for a win. Incredible defense from a journeyman Rob Refsnyder or a former down-and-out Franchy Cordero chipping in a few big hits. Brings back memories of Jerry Adair, Jose Tartabull, and Darrell Brandon.
The Red Sox have a significant advantage over their 1967 ancestors in that playoffs did not exist in that era. A ten-team scrum for a winner takes all. Now 12 teams are getting into the mix. Great for those with little hope of challenging run-away teams like the Yankees.
Boston also has a rash of injuries, and in 1967 with the right-hand power of Conig gone, Boston scooped up Ken Harrelson, who was “fired” by a petulant Charlie Finley. This Boston team sits on a bedstone of quality prospects that can be used as trade chips to fortify a rotation that is becoming an injury list staple.
Money talks in this baseball age and teams that toss it in will be more than willing to exchange ponderous contracts for prospects or simple payroll relief. Chaim Bloom is undoubtedly in contact with the Royals, Reds, A’s, Nats, and others. Luis Castillo, Carl Edwards Jr., or Frankie Montas could help alleviate angst on the pitching staff.
Next. Vote for Red Sox players on the All-Star ballot. dark
The fans have been supportive during the early season morass but do not confuse RSN emotional outbursts with jumping off the bandwagon. That is the nature of the multi-generational beast. They also can sense something about this team and fervently hope that management views are similar. The time for a fire sale is evaporating, and the time to go all-in is approaching.