April 13, 1986: Red Sox Bats Erupt to Salvage Series in Comiskey

The final game of the opening road trip was upon them, and the Red Sox were 2–3, having lost the opening series to Detroit and on the verge of possibly losing two series in a row to open the season. The pitching had been improving, but the bats had cooled off a little since their onslaught …

Read more

April 12, 1986: Tom is Still “Terrific” as Sox Drop Game Two in Chicago

With two fantastic starts by Nipper and Clemens and the offense scoring at will, the Red Sox were at .500 and looking to take their first series of the season. The 0–4 White Sox were all that stood in their way on this chilly Chicago evening in April.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

Bruce…

Read more

April 11, 1986: The Rocket Launches for the First Time in ‘86

Following the performance by Al Nipper to get the Sox in the win column, they left the Motor City for another three-game set in the Windy City with the White Sox. The start of the ’86 season was not kind to either of the Sox, as the pale version were coming off a sweep at the hands of the Brew…

Read more

April 10, 1986: Nipper Salvages the Finale for the Sox

The Sox had scored 10 runs on 25 hits in two days, yet they were 0–2. While the offense was pounding away in Tiger Stadium, their pitching was serving up batting practice to the Tigers. The twelve runs that the Sox arms had relinquished were second most in the major leagues, behind only the Angels an…

Read more

April 9, 1986: Darrell Evans Powers Tigers past the Sox in Extras

After stewing over their Opening Day loss to the Tigers, the Red Sox were hoping to record their first W of the 1986 season. Today, the Red Sox had to battle more than just the Tigers’ lineup though. The noon start, along with a high of 40 degrees, was a big shift from the comfortable temp…

Read more

April 7, 1986: Gibson Steals the Show on Opening Day in Detroit

Opening Day of the 1986 season had finally arrived. The Red Sox left their Spring Training home in Winter Haven, Florida, for the incredibly balmy Detroit, Michigan. The temperature at Tiger Stadium for the afternoon opener was a pleasant 67 degrees. The Sox were scheduled to open up the sea…

Read more

Remembering the Joy and Heartbreak of the 1986 Boston Red Sox

This year we are going to relive the 1986 season game by game. Each day we will tell the story of how the day’s game went, reflect on some of the ups and downs of the season, and revel in the joys and cry at the heartbreak. 1986 was one of the most memorable seasons in Red Sox Nation because i…

Read more

September 7, 1975 (Game 1) The Gold Dust Twins Deliver

Coming off the trouncing of the Brewers in the second game of the four-game set at County Stadium, the Sox were ready to square off with Milwaukee in an important doubleheader that could provide Boston with an advantage for home field in the American League. Baltimore was playing a single game agains…

Read more

September 6, 1975: The Bats Erupt in Milwaukee

Following their loss in the series opener to Milwaukee on Friday night, the Sox remained tied with the A’s at the top of the league and were holding a 6.5-game lead over Baltimore in the East. The loss snapped Boston’s mini three-game win streak, and the Sox were eager to get back in the saddle against the s…

Read more

September 5, 1975: Brewers Top Sox in Series Opener

With the Sox beginning the second leg of their road trip in Milwaukee, they held an eight-game lead over the Orioles after sweeping them in Baltimore and had pulled even with Oakland for homefield advantage. The four-game series in Middle America offered the Brewers, once only 4.5 games back at the All-…

Read more

September 4, 1975: Pole and Drago Silence Orioles

Game two of the short series in Baltimore gave the Red Sox another opportunity to extend their lead in the American League East. Following Rick Wise’s brilliant performance the night before, Boston entered Thursday seven games up in the division and just a half-game behind Oakland. One more strong effort …

Read more

September 3, 1975: Wise Outduels Palmer in Baltimore

With a little momentum following their series finale win over the Yankees, and with Oakland idle on Wednesday, the Red Sox turned their full attention to Baltimore. Entering the two-game set with a six-game lead and only 25 left to play, Boston knew a sweep would go a long way toward wrapping up its fi…

Read more

September 2, 1975: Fisk Returns as Sox Salvage Finale

With their lead over Baltimore at its narrowest point since mid-August and their deficit to Oakland now two games, the Red Sox entered September looking sluggish. The offense and pitching seemed to be working different shifts, when they hit, they couldn’t pitch, and when they pitched, the bats went si…

Read more

September 1, 1975: Doc Goes to Work on Labor Day

Labor Day had arrived, and the Red Sox were just 27 games away from their first postseason appearance since 1967. Boston entered the day with a six-game lead over Baltimore in the AL East but had slipped a game behind Oakland after dropping two of three in their weekend showdown. While homefield advantage …

Read more

August 31, 1975: Reggie’s Big Day Sinks Sox in Series Finale

The end of August had finally arrived, with Boston playing their 28th game in 31 days. Entering the finale of the A’s series, the Sox were 16–11 for the month, solid, but not as sharp as the 21–12 run that had vaulted them into first place earlier in the summer. Since visiting Oakland in mid-Au…

Read more

August 30, 1975: Oakland Edges Sox in Extra-Inning Thriller

Up a game in the series, and a game ahead in the race for homefield advantage, the Red Sox were poised to seize control of the American League lead. But the defending AL champion A’s were no strangers to pressure, and they weren’t about to be overwhelmed by the moment at Fenway Park on the final…

Read more

August 29, 1975: Wise Outduels Bahnsen as Sox Take Lead for Homefield

With another day off behind them and the final regular season battle with Oakland about to unfold in the Fens, the Red Sox were poised to take hold of their playoff destiny. On Thursday, Oakland was beaten by the Yankees 3–2, which placed the two clubs in a flat-footed tie. Baltimore d…

Read more

August 27, 1975: Rice Powers Sox Past Angels

Following their series-opening loss to California, the Red Sox entered Wednesday afternoon’s finale at Fenway looking to split the short two-game set. Boston sat 0.5 games behind Oakland in the race for home field and seven games ahead of Baltimore in the AL East. With the A’s set to arrive at Fenway next, the…

Read more

August 26, 1975: Angels Take Advantage as Sox Stumble at Fenway

After enjoying a rare day off at home, the Red Sox entered Tuesday still a half-game behind Oakland in the race for home field in the ALCS and 7.5 games ahead of Baltimore in the East. Oakland was idle Monday, while the Orioles were rained out in Kansas City, setting up a Tuesday doubleheade…

Read more

August 24, 1975: Lee Leads Sox to Series Win

With their first homestand series in what felt like forever tied heading into the Sunday finale, the Red Sox sat 1.5 games behind the A’s for home field and 6.5 games ahead of the Orioles in the AL East. As the final week of August began, Boston was intent on staying sharp and avoiding a late-summer collapse.

P…

Read more