On April 29, 1986, Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox sets a major league record by striking out 20 batters in a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners. The 23-year-old Clemens surpasses the record of 19 strikeouts shared by Hall of Famers Steve Carlton, Nolan Ryan, and Tom Seaver.
On March 28, 1986, the Boston Red Sox acquire designated hitter Don Baylor from the New York Yankees for outfielder-designated hitter Mike Easler. Baylor will hit 31 home runs and drive in 94 runs, helping the Red Sox to the AL East title.
Although he loses his arbitration case, Boston third baseman Wade Boggs receives the richest amount ($1.35 million) ever awarded by this process. Last season’s AL batting champ had sought $1.85 million, but arbitrator Thomas Roberts rules in favor of the Red Sox, resulting in a drop of a half-million dollars for the infielder.
November 13, 1985: The New York Mets and Boston Red Sox make a 8 player trade Calvin Schiraldi, Wes Gardner, La Schelle Tarver and John Christensen to Boston for Bob Ojeda, John Mitchell, tom McCarthy, and Chris Bayer. “WE WANTED both Gardner and Schiraldi,” Gorman said. “They are big, strong, and we think…
On September 18, 1985, slow-footed catcher Rich Gedman of the Boston Red Sox hits for the cycle in a 17-1 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays. Gedman drives in seven runs to pace the Red Sox’ attack.
Red Sox rookie Roger Clemens strikes out 15 and walks none as Boston whips Kansas City, 11 – 1.
Bill Buckner and Tony Armas each hit grand slams in the first two innings off Tigers ace Jack Morris to spark the Red Sox to a 12 – 7 victory in the first game of a doubleheader. Detroit takes the second game, 7 – 5, in 11 innings, after scoring a run in the 9th to tie. Lance Parrish’s two-run homer ends it and Aurelio Lopez improves to 9-0.
Jim Rice caps a 5 for 6 day with a grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Boston a 13 – 9 win over Oakland.
Dwight Evans completes a cycle with a walk-off home run, becoming only the fourth major league player to accomplish the feat. The Red Sox outfielder’s game-ending three-run blast in the 11th inning gives Boston a dramatic 9-6 victory over Seattle at Fenway Park.
On May 25, 1984, the Boston Red Sox acquire first baseman/outfielder Bill Buckner from the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Dennis Eckersley and infielder Mike Brumley. Buckner will give the Red Sox nearly three productive seasons, but will be remembered mostly for his critical error in Game Six of the 1986 World Series.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!