The Red Sox avoid a 0-3 deficit in the ALDS when Trot Nixon’s pinch-hit 11th inning walk-off homer beats Oakland, 3-1. The Boston outfielder’s accomplishment marks only the fifth time in postseason play that a round-tripper has ended a game, and the first by a pinch-hitter since Kirk Gibson’s historic homer off Dennis Eckersley to win Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
Much to the delight of the 34,844 fans at Fenway Park and the embarrassment of the team’s first baseman, the “Rally Karaoke Guy” makes his debut as a video of Kevin Millar as a Los Angeles City College freshman doing an impersonation of Bruce Springsteen singing “Born in the USA,” is shown on the scoreboard prior to the start of the 6th inning. The video, which was played at a clubhouse meeting in Texas as a prank by a college friend of Millar’s who is now a FBI agent, appears to be Boston’s answer to the Rally Monkey of Anaheim as the Red Sox win their first game in a week, beating the A’s, 14 – 5.
After enjoying a 6-for-6 performance against Philadelphia three days ago, Nomar Garciaparra goes 5-for-5 in the Red Sox’ 10-1 rout of Detroit at Fenway Park. All eleven hits are singles.
2003 – Seven months before a November deadline, the Boston Red Sox exercise their 2004 contract option on Pedro Martinez, making him the highest-paid pitcher for a season in major league history. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Martinez will earn $17.5 million next season.
2003 – After much speculation, the Chunichi Dragons return Kevin Millar to the Marlins for an undisclosed amount of money for relinquishing its rights. After reconsidering an offer from the Boston Red Sox, Millar had a change of heart and does not want to play for the Japanese Central League team.
On January 22, 2003, the Boston Red Sox make one of the best free agent signings in their history, nabbing David Ortiz. Ortiz, who never really had a chance to play regularly in Minnesota, will blossom in Boston, clubbing 31 homers in 2003, and following it with 41 and 47 in his next…
The Red Sox acquire Jeremy Giambi from the Phillies for P Josh Hancock, 24. For Giambi, it is his third uniform this year.
The Boston Red Sox hire 28-year-old Theo Epstein as their new general manager. Epstein, a life-time Red Sox fan who grew up about a mile away from Fenway Park, becomes the youngest GM in major league history.
At Fenway Park, Pedro Martinez becomes the 11th pitcher in American League history to record an immaculate inning when he strikes out the side on nine pitches in the first frame. The Red Sox right-hander fans Ichiro Suzuki, Mark McLemore, and Ruben Sierra to begin Boston’s eventual 4-1 victory over Seattle.
After the team purchases Rickey Henderson’s contract from Pawtucket, the Red Sox, places future Hall of Fame outfielder on their Opening Day roster. The ‘Man of Steal,’ who joined the exclusive 3,000-hit club on the final day of last season, will begin his 24th year in the majors, appearing with his eighth different club.