THE DESIGNATED HITTER TURNS 50!
When Orlando Cepeda agreed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox on January 18, 1973, he became the first major league player signed expressly to become a designated hitter under the new American League rule.
When Orlando Cepeda agreed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox on January 18, 1973, he became the first major league player signed expressly to become a designated hitter under the new American League rule.
PREVIEW I interviewed Jim Rice in the family room adjacent to the Red Sox clubhouse at Fenway Park In August 2000. At the time he was in his sixth season as the team’s hitting instructor. It was about four hours before game time, but Rice was already in his uniform and anxious to get out to the batting cage. The best single word to describe Jim Rice up clo [...]
Thirty-five years ago this July there was magic in the air at Fenway Park: Morgan Magic. Red Sox third base coach Joe Morgan was named as the interim manager to replace John McNamara on July 14, 1988. And the Red Sox won under Morgan. And won some more. And they kept on winning. At age 92, Joe Morgan still remembers most of the details of what he calls “ [...]
When the Boston Red Sox claimed Troy O’Leary on waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers in April 1995, it was the best thing that ever happened to his baseball career. Looking back during a recent interview, Troy said, “I didn’t think so at the time. I had been with the Brewers for eight years, my whole career. I had spent time in the majors, but I got caught [...]
When Bernie Carbo reported to spring training in Winter Haven, Florida, in February 1975, he had no idea that the upcoming season would be one of the most celebrated years in Red Sox history. “I knew we had a lot of talent,” Bernie said in a recent interview, “but I certainly wasn’t thinking about the World Series when training camp opened.” Outfielder Carbo [...]