We will be celebrating the wonderful memories of the Impossible Dream 1967 Red Sox throughout 2017. It is hard to believe that 50 years have gone by and yet the memories of that special season are still so strong.
A total of 39 players were included on the roster of the 1967 Red Sox. And these players ranged from Carl Yastrzemski who appeared in a team-leading 161 games, to 19 year-old Ken Brett who appeared in one game. And when you win the AL pennant by one game every player’s contribution is important.
And while we celebrate with the 25 members of the 1967 team that are still with us it is important to remember the 14 players who have passed away during these fifty years. Too many players from the 1967 Impossible Dream Red Sox have died at too young of an age. It is sad to realize that the average age of these 14 players when they died was only 62.
But regardless of their age these players are all remembered fondly and they are all missed.
PLAYER |
DATE OF DEATH |
AGE AT DEATH |
Elston Howard |
1980 |
50 |
Jerry Adair |
1987 |
50 |
Don McMahon |
1987 |
57 |
Joe Foy |
1989 |
46 |
Tony Conigliaro |
1990 |
45 |
John Wyatt |
1998 |
62 |
Bob Tillman |
2000 |
63 |
Ken Brett |
2003 |
55 |
Russ Gibson |
2008 |
69 |
Jerry Stephenson |
2010 |
66 |
Dennis Bennett |
2012 |
72 |
George Scott |
2013 |
69 |
Dan Osinski |
2013 |
79 |
Norm Siebern |
2015 |
82 |
RIP
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This feature has been excerpted from the recently released The Impossible Dream 1967 Red Sox: Birth of Red Sox Nation To purchase a copy signed and inscribed as you direct by author Herb Crehan go to “Books.”
Herb I was only 9 years old and still remember watching the winning game with my older brother . I plan on buying the book you wrote about it. No wonder I love your posts!!!
I have been a Red Sox fan since I began rooting for the team as an 8 year old in 1949 and have been a season ticket holder since 1979. Even with the three WS champions since 2004 I would still take the 67 season as my favorite. The Sox were given a 100 to one shot to win that year and few would take that bet. But the season was just a joy all summer long as all of New England rediscovered the team. The Year of Yaz was truly an “Impossible Dream” from start to finish.
Thank you, Gerard!
Herb Crehan
I am confident that the Red Sox success that year is due to the manager, the unbelievable breakout seasons of Yastrzemski and Lonborg, and their diversity. Look how integrated the team is- much different from previous seasons- and that the ‘minority’ players were all key contributors at key positions: African Americans at 1b, 3b, cf, and closer; the catcher they picked up to settle the pitching staff was also African American. Important contributions from Hispanic players too, and the white players were from all over. I may be totally wrong about integration being a key to success, but you can’t deny it was a diverse club.
I agree with you 100% Ben! When Dick O’Connell took over as GM he said, “I don’t care what color a player is, if he can help us I’m going to get him.”
There were times that season when there were six players of color on the field.
Thanks for your comment, Ben!