October 1, 1967 changed everything for the Red Sox

Let me explain.

In 1967, the baseball world was very different, both locally and nationally. Ted Williams retired in 1960, and without him, interest in the Red Sox steadily waned. In the first six years after Thumper, the Red Sox finished sixth, eighth, seventh, eighth, ninth and ninth in the 10-team league. In 1965, attendance dropped to 652,201.

Fenway Park was not Clark Booth’s “baseball basilica.” It wasn’t “America’s most beloved stadium.” Fenway looked more like an old sofa at grandma’s house. Tom Yawkey even declared in June 1967 that Fenway was obsolete and needed to be replaced.

1966 was full of hope, but few expected more excitement in 1967. When Dick Williams, the new captain, said in spring training that his team would win more games than it lost, most people rolled their eyes.

The team’s best player, Carl Yastrzemski, was putting together quite a recap that included a stellar 1963 season in which he led the league in batting, on-base percentage, hits and doubles. He also made playing left field, especially at Fenway, something of an art form with Gold Gloves in 1963 and 1965.

He was considered a scorer in singles and doubles (95 career points through 1966, with a high of 20 in 1965), but he wanted to be better, so he spent the winter bulking up under the tutelage of coach Gene Berde. With his new body, he started working on pulling the ball more and the results were immediately visible. This was a new, even dangerous Yaz, 44-home run Yaz, Triple Crown Yaz.

Right-hander Jim Lonborg entered his third season with a record of 19-27. However, he spent the winter refining his game, emphasizing throwing the ball inside more often. But no one dreamed he would be able to produce a 22-9 Cy Young season.

One other player who attracted particular attention was the ultimate local do-gooder, Tony Conigliaro.

It was obvious from the beginning that this was the better ballclub, but things took a major turnaround after a 10-game winning streak at the expense of Baltimore, Detroit and Cleveland from July 14-23. When the Red Sox returned to Logan Airport, they were greeted by a large crowd and the official love affair between the team and the city began. Baseball is back in Boston.

For the rest of the summer, you couldn’t go anywhere in Greater Boston without hearing the voices of Ken Coleman and Ned Martin coming from the car radio at every stop or on the porch. And the leader of the cheers was Jess Cain, WHDH’s morning man, who had everyone singing along to his composition “Carl Yastrzemski, The Man They Call Yaz.”

Personal Note: On May 21, I took Elaine Murray, my then-girlfriend, now wife of 55 years, to a Sunday double-header. The Sox won both games and those were the first two of the 27 games I attended. in the lodge on October 1, of course. I consider that summer after the Red Sox the greatest fan experience of my life.

An additional highlight of the plot was the fact that the Red Sox were involved in a truly legendary pennant race. And remember, this was two years before the “playoffs.” You either won the pennant or you went home. It was a four-team battle featuring the White Sox, Twins and Tigers. Watching the scoreboard was a must.

Amid the general euphoria, a critical moment occurred. I was in the crowd on the night of August 18 when Tony C was punched in the face by Jack Hamilton of the Angels (admittedly, it was definitely unintentional). It was terrifying for fans and teammates, and it changed Tony C’s life.

It ended up being a weird and wonderful last week. Things looked bleak when the Sox lost a pair to the Indians on Tuesday and Wednesday, and first up… how about this? — Luis Tiant and the other — I can’t make this up — future Sox hurler, Sonny Siebert. The odd schedule gave them both Thursday and Friday off, setting the stage for a memorable season-ending matchup with the Twins.

Yastrzemski’s three-run seventh inning off Jim Merritt gave them the win Saturday. Lonborg, 0-3 vs. Twins, will be held on Sunday. His opponent: 20-game winner Dean Chance.

With the Twins leading 2-0 in the sixth quarter, Lonborg opened a five-run inning with a bunt single. By the time the inning was over, the Red Sox had five runs on four singles (including Yaz’s big shot to center), a bad throw by reliever Zoilo Versalles, two wild pitches by reliever Al Worthington and an error by first baseman Harmon Killebrew.

The Twins would get the lead in the eighth, but the inning ended with Yaz throwing out Bob Allison trying to stretch a single into a double as Tony Oliva looked on from third base. Years later, I managed to ask Oliva what he was thinking as he glared at Allison, and he replied, “You don’t want to know.”

Lonborg made it to ninth place, and although there was a good atmosphere on the field, everyone had to wait for the conclusion of the Tigers vs. Angels match to be sure that they were crowned solo champions. WHDH was able to pick up the broadcast from Detroit, so we all listened as Tigers second baseman Dick McAuliffe came up to bat and had a chance to tie the game for Detroit.

In 674 plate appearances this season, McAuliffe has only recorded one double. But PA #675 did just that to end Detroit’s season and extend ours. Yes, “our”. It was a true civic triumph.

The 1967 Red Sox reignited interest in baseball in Boston and set the stage for all the good things that followed. It all happened on a wonderful October afternoon. Winning the World Series would be nice, but it’s always October 1st.

October 1: It’s worth lightening the mood.

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Bob Ryan can be reached at [email protected].