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Boston Red Sox
2025 Boston Red Sox season
  • Established in 1901
RedSoxPrimary HangingSocks.svg Boston Red Sox cap logo.svg
Team logo Cap insignia
Major league affiliations
Current uniform
MLB-ALE-BOS-Uniform.png
Retired numbers
Colors
  • Red, navy blue, white
                  
Name
  • Boston Red Sox (1908–present)
  • Boston Americans (1901–1907)
Other nicknames
  • The Sox
  • The BoSox
  • The Olde Towne Team
Ballpark
  • Fenway Park (1912–present)
  • Huntington Avenue Grounds (1901–1911)
Major league titles
World Series titles (9)
  • 1903
  • 1912
  • 1915
  • 1916
  • 1918
  • 2004
  • 2007
  • 2013
  • 2018
AL Pennants (14)
  • 1903
  • 1904
  • 1912
  • 1915
  • 1916
  • 1918
  • 1946
  • 1967
  • 1975
  • 1986
  • 2004
  • 2007
  • 2013
  • 2018
AL East Division titles (10)
  • 1975
  • 1986
  • 1988
  • 1990
  • 1995
  • 2007
  • 2013
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
Wild card berths (8)
  • 1998
  • 1999
  • 2003
  • 2004
  • 2005
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2021
Front office
Principal owner(s) Fenway Sports Group (John Henry)
President Sam Kennedy (President and CEO)
President of baseball operations Craig Breslow (Chief Baseball Officer)
Manager Alex Cora

The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team from Boston. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the American League (AL) East Division. The team started in 1901. Since 1912, their home stadium has been Fenway Park.

The name "Red Sox" was chosen in c. 1908 because of the red socks in their uniform. Before that, they were called the "Boston Americans". The Red Sox have won nine World Series championships. Their most recent win was in 2018. They are tied for the third-most World Series wins in MLB history.

The Red Sox were very strong when the American League first started. They won the first World Series in 1903 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They won four more championships by 1918. After that, they had a very long time without winning a championship. This period was known as the "Curse of the Bambino". It was said to have started when they sold their star player, Babe Ruth, to the New York Yankees in 1920.

The team waited 86 years before winning their sixth World Series in 2004. During this time, there were many famous moments in their history. These include Carlton Fisk's home run in 1975 and Bill Buckner's error in 1986. After winning the 2018 World Series, they became the first team to win four World Series in the 21st century. They won in 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018. The Red Sox also have a huge rivalry with the New York Yankees. It's one of the biggest rivalries in sports!

The Red Sox are owned by Fenway Sports Group. This group also owns Liverpool (a soccer team in England) and the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins. The Red Sox always have many fans at their away games. Fenway Park is a smaller stadium, so they don't always lead in total attendance. From 2003 to 2013, the Red Sox sold out every home game. That's 820 games in a row, a record for professional sports! Songs like "Sweet Caroline" and "Dirty Water" are like anthems for the Red Sox.

As of the end of the 2024 season, the team's overall record is 9,955–9,263–83 (.518).

Team Nickname: Why "Red Sox"?

The name Red Sox was chosen by owner John I. Taylor after the 1907 season. It refers to the red socks that became part of the team's uniform in 1908. The word Sox was already used by the Chicago White Sox. Newspapers used "Sox" because it was shorter and fit better in headlines than "Stockings".

The "Red Stockings" nickname was first used by a team in Cincinnati in the 1860s. When that team stopped playing, Harry Wright and some players moved to Boston. They started a new team and brought the "Red Stockings" nickname with them. This Boston team won many championships in the first professional baseball league.

Later, when a new Cincinnati team started, they also used the "Red Stockings" name. The Boston team was then called the "Red Caps" or other names. They officially became the "Braves" in 1912. That team later moved and is now the Atlanta Braves.

BostonRedSox1908logo
The Red Sox logo worn on uniforms in 1908, showing the team's first official nickname.

In 1901, a new team started in Boston in the American League. For seven years, this team wore dark blue stockings and didn't have an official nickname. People just called them "Boston" or "Boston Americans". Their jerseys simply said "Boston". Some newspaper writers called them "Pilgrims" or "Somersets".

In December 1907, owner John I. Taylor announced that the team would officially use red as its color. The 1908 uniforms had a big red stocking on the front. Even though the National League team in Boston also went back to wearing red, the American League team finally had its official name: the "Red Sox".

The name is often shortened to "Bosox" or "BoSox". Sportswriters sometimes call them the Crimson Hose or the Olde Towne Team. Fans often just say "Sox" when talking about the team.

Team History: Key Moments

The Early Years: A Golden Era (1901–1919)

Boston Americans team picture
The 1901 Boston Americans team photograph.

In 1901, the American League started a team in Boston called the "Boston Americans". They played at Huntington Avenue Grounds. The team finished second in 1901 and third in 1902. Early stars included manager Jimmy Collins, outfielders Chick Stahl and Buck Freeman, and amazing pitcher Cy Young. In 1901, Cy Young won 33 games, which was a huge part of the team's success.

Boston Americans logo
The Americans logo, 1901–1907.

In 1903, the team won their first American League title. They played in the first modern World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With strong pitching and loud fans, the Americans won the series five games to three.

WorldSeries1903-640
An iconic photo of the Huntington Avenue Grounds before the first modern World Series game.

In 1904, the team was bought by John I. Taylor. They won the pennant again, but the New York Giants refused to play in the World Series. Because of this, the World Series became a permanent championship starting in 1905.

In 1906, Boston had a tough year, losing 105 games. In 1907, the team's name officially changed to the Boston Red Sox.

By 1909, Tris Speaker was a key player in the outfield. In 1912, the Red Sox won 105 games and the pennant. This was a club record until 2018. The team, with stars like Tris Speaker and pitcher Smoky Joe Wood, beat the New York Giants in the 1912 World Series.

1911 Boston Red Sox at Spring Training, Arizona, March 1911, by an unknown photographer, from the Digital Commonwealth - commonwealth sf268596z
Boston Red Sox at Spring Training, Arizona. Michael T. "Nuf Ced" McGreevy Collection, Boston Public Library.

In 1914, the Red Sox signed a young pitcher named Babe Ruth. In 1915, the team won 101 games and beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1915 World Series. After that season, Tris Speaker was traded. The Red Sox still won the 1916 World Series.

Harry Frazee bought the Red Sox in 1916. In 1918, Babe Ruth led the team to another World Series championship against the Chicago Cubs.

The Sale of Babe Ruth and Its Impact (1920–1938)

1915 Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth in 1915.

On December 26, 1919, the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to their rivals, the New York Yankees. Ruth had just set a home run record with 29 homers in 1919. This sale is seen as the start of the famous Yankees–Red Sox rivalry.

Losing top players like Ruth caused the Red Sox to struggle. Through the 1920s and early 1930s, they were often at the bottom of the league. In 1932, they had their worst record ever, winning only 43 games.

In 1933, Tom Yawkey bought the team. He brought in new stars like pitchers Wes Ferrell and Lefty Grove, shortstop and manager Joe Cronin, and first baseman Jimmie Foxx. In 1938, Foxx hit 50 home runs, a club record for 68 years.

The Ted Williams Era (1939–1960)

Ted Williams 1954 Bowman
Ted Williams in 1954.

In 1939, the Red Sox bought Ted Williams, an amazing outfielder. Williams was known for hitting for both power and average. Many consider him one of the best hitters ever. The right-field area at Fenway Park was even designed to help his left-handed swing. Williams served in the military during World War II and the Korean War, missing several seasons. He is the last player to hit over .400 in a full season, batting .406 in 1941.

With Williams, the Red Sox reached the 1946 World Series. They lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. The Cardinals used a special defense called the "Williams Shift" to try and stop him.

The Cardinals won the 1946 Series when Enos Slaughter scored from first base on a hit. The throw to home plate was just a little too late. Some people thought shortstop Johnny Pesky hesitated, but this is still debated.

Besides Williams and Pesky, the Red Sox had other stars in the 1940s, like second baseman Bobby Doerr and center fielder Dom DiMaggio.

The Red Sox almost won the AL pennant in 1948 and 1949. In 1948, they tied with Cleveland but lost a special playoff game. In 1949, they were one game ahead of the New York Yankees but lost their last two games against them.

The 1950s were tough for the Red Sox. Many of their best players had left. Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays even tried out for the team, but the owner, Tom Yawkey, did not want African American players. The Red Sox were the last MLB team to have an African American player, Pumpsie Green, in 1959. Ted Williams retired at the end of the 1960 season, hitting a home run in his last at-bat.

The "Impossible Dream" of 1967

The 1960s started slowly, but in 1961, Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski joined the team. He became a great hitter.

The 1967 season is known as the "Impossible Dream". The Red Sox had finished ninth in 1966 but surprised everyone by winning the pennant. Yastrzemski had an amazing year, winning the American League Triple Crown. This means he led the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in. He was named the league's Most Valuable Player. However, the Red Sox lost the 1967 World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

Red Sox Bullpen Cart (7224550882)
The bullpen car used by the Red Sox.

A young player named Tony Conigliaro hit 24 home runs in 1964. He became the youngest player to hit 100 home runs. In 1967, he was hit in the face by a fastball and missed the next season. He was never quite the same player after that.

The "Red Hat Era" and the 1975 World Series

The Red Sox were good in the late 1960s and early 1970s but couldn't win their division. In 1972, they lost the division by just half a game.

The Red Sox won the AL pennant in 1975. The 1975 team had many talented players like Yastrzemski, rookie outfielders Jim Rice and Fred Lynn, and catcher Carlton Fisk. Fred Lynn won both Rookie of the Year and MVP awards, which was a first! In the playoffs, the Red Sox easily beat the Oakland A's.

Carlton Fisk 1976
Carlton Fisk, famous for his "waving fair" home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series.

In the 1975 World Series, they played the strong Cincinnati Reds. The Red Sox were down 3-2 in the series. Game 6 at Fenway Park is one of the most famous games ever. The Red Sox were losing 6-3 in the 8th inning when Bernie Carbo hit a three-run home run to tie it. In the 12th inning, Carlton Fisk hit a deep fly ball towards the Green Monster. As it flew, Fisk waved his arms, hoping it would stay fair. It did, and the Red Sox won 7-6!

However, the Red Sox lost Game 7, 4-3, even though they had an early lead.

The 1978 Pennant Race

In 1978, the Red Sox and Yankees had a very close race for the pennant. The Yankees were far behind in July but caught up. On the last day of the season, the teams were tied, forcing a one-game playoff at Fenway Park.

The most famous moment from this game was Bucky Dent's three-run home run in the 7th inning. It went just over the Green Monster and gave the Yankees the lead. The Yankees won 5-4. This loss was very hard for Red Sox fans.

The 1986 World Series: A Heartbreaking Loss

Carl Yastrzemski retired in 1983. In 1986, the Red Sox looked strong again. They had great hitters like Jim Rice and Wade Boggs, and amazing pitcher Roger Clemens. Clemens won 24 games and both the Cy Young and MVP awards.

The Red Sox won their division and faced the California Angels in the ALCS. The Angels took a 3-1 lead in the series. In Game 5, the Red Sox were losing 5-2 in the 9th inning. With two outs and one strike away from losing, Dave Henderson hit a home run to put Boston ahead 6-5. The Red Sox then won Games 6 and 7 to win the American League title!

The Red Sox then played the New York Mets in the 1986 World Series. Boston won the first two games. But Game 6 became one of the most painful losses in team history. The Red Sox were leading 5-3 in the 10th inning. With two outs, the Mets got some hits. Then, Mookie Wilson hit a slow ground ball that rolled through first baseman Bill Buckner's legs. This allowed the winning run to score.

Roger Clemens 1996
Roger Clemens is the club's all-time leader in strikeouts (2,590), wins (192), and shutouts (38).

Many people blamed Buckner for the loss. However, others pointed out that even if he had caught the ball, the runner might have still been safe. The Mets went on to win Game 7. This loss made many fans believe the team was "cursed."

Mixed Results (1992–2001)

Green Monster 2001
The Red Sox hosting a home game against the Atlanta Braves in July 2001.

After owner Tom Yawkey died in 1976, his wife Jean took over until her death in 1992. The team was then sold in 2002.

In 1994, Dan Duquette became the General Manager. He improved the team's farm system, bringing up players like Nomar Garciaparra. He also signed big free agents like Manny Ramírez.

The Red Sox won their division in 1995 but were swept in the playoffs by the Cleveland Indians. Their playoff losing streak reached 13 games.

In 1998, the Red Sox got pitcher Pedro Martínez. He became a star for the team. In 1998, they made the playoffs but lost to the Indians again.

In 1999, the Red Sox finally beat the Indians in the playoffs! Cleveland led 2-0, but Boston won the next three games. Game 4 was a huge 23-7 win. Pedro Martínez, even with a shoulder injury, pitched six innings without allowing a hit in Game 5. After this win, the Red Sox lost to the Yankees in the ALCS.

The John Henry Era: World Series Wins! (2002–Present)

A New Beginning and the 2004 World Series

2003-09-25 - Fenway Park 11
The Red Sox celebrate clinching the 2003 AL Wild Card with a victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

In 2002, John W. Henry and his group bought the Red Sox. They made changes, including hiring Theo Epstein as General Manager. At 28, he was the youngest GM in MLB history.

The 2003 team was known as the "Cowboy Up" team. They came back from being down 0-2 in the playoffs to beat the Oakland Athletics. Then they faced the New York Yankees in the ALCS. In Game 7, Boston led 5-2, but the Yankees tied it. The Red Sox eventually lost when Aaron Boone hit a home run. Many blamed manager Grady Little for not taking Pedro Martínez out of the game sooner. Boston then hired Terry Francona as manager for 2004.

2007: Another World Series Championship

Red Sox 2007
2007 season final standing.

In 2005, the Red Sox made the playoffs as a wild card team but were swept by the Chicago White Sox. In 2006, David Ortiz broke the Red Sox record for home runs in a season with 54.

In 2007, the Red Sox signed Japanese star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. They took the lead in their division early and never lost it. Rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia had a great season and won the AL Rookie of the Year Award. Pitcher Josh Beckett became the team's ace.

The Red Sox swept the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the playoffs. They then faced the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS. The Red Sox were down 3-1 in the series but came back to win the next three games, scoring 30 runs to Cleveland's 5. The Red Sox then swept the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series, winning their second title in four years! Mike Lowell was named World Series MVP.

Boston Red Sox George W. Bush
Victorious Red Sox players being honored at the White House by President George W. Bush.

Injuries and Struggles (2008–2012)

In 2008, the Red Sox made the playoffs again as a Wild Card team. They beat the Los Angeles Angels but lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS.

In 2011, the Red Sox had a big collapse. They had a 9-game lead in their division in September but went 7-20 that month and missed the playoffs. In 2012, Bobby Valentine became the new manager. The season marked 100 years of Fenway Park. However, the team struggled and finished with a losing record.

Boston Strong: 2013 World Series Champions

Massachusetts State House Red Sox Banner
The Massachusetts State House displaying a banner in honor of the Red Sox's 2013 World Series appearance. "B Strong" was a patch worn by the Red Sox in memory of Boston Marathon bombing victims.

In 2012, the Red Sox finished last in their division. But in 2013, they made an amazing turnaround! They hired John Farrell as manager and brought in new players like Jonny Gomes, Mike Napoli, and Shane Victorino. Pitchers like John Lackey and Jon Lester played very well. When their main closers got hurt, Koji Uehara stepped up and became an incredible closer.

The Red Sox finished with the best record in the American League. They went on to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2013 World Series, winning four games to two. They were the first team since 1991 to win the World Series a year after finishing in last place.

Throughout the 2013 season, the team showed support for the city of Boston after the Boston Marathon bombing. They wore "Boston Strong" patches on their uniforms and hung a special jersey in the dugout. After winning the World Series, they placed the trophy and the "Boston Strong" jersey at the Marathon finish line. This helped the city heal after the tragedy.

Recent Years (2014–Present)

After their 2013 win, the team finished last in their division in 2014 and 2015. In 2015, David Ortiz hit his 500th career home run. He announced that 2016 would be his last season.

In 2016, the Red Sox won their division again. They had many All-Stars, including Mookie Betts, and Rick Porcello won the Cy Young Award. However, they were swept in the playoffs by the Cleveland Indians. In 2017, they won the division again but lost to the Houston Astros in the playoffs. Manager John Farrell was then replaced by Alex Cora.

"Damage Done": 2018 World Series Champions

Jackie Bradley Jr. in 2017 (36547479673)
2018 ALCS MVP – Jackie Bradley Jr..
Steven Pearce 2018-08-28
2018 World Series MVP – Steve Pearce.

The Red Sox had an amazing 2018 season, winning 108 games! This broke the team record of 105 wins set in 1912. They won their division for the third year in a row. Key players included All-Stars Mookie Betts, J. D. Martinez, Chris Sale, and Craig Kimbrel. Betts led the league in batting average, and Martinez led in runs batted in.

In the playoffs, the Red Sox beat the New York Yankees in four games. Then, they defeated the defending champion Houston Astros in five games. Finally, Boston beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the 2018 World Series! This was their fourth championship in 15 years and ninth overall. The team's motto, "do damage," became "damage done" after their victory. This team is considered one of the best Red Sox teams ever.

Recent Struggles (2019–Present)

In 2019, the Red Sox won 24 fewer games than in 2018 and missed the playoffs. Their manager, Alex Cora, left the team in January 2020 due to a sign-stealing scandal from his time with another team.

In 2020, the MLB season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Red Sox struggled and finished last in their division. Alex Cora returned as manager for the 2021 season. The team did much better, making the playoffs and reaching the ALCS, where they lost to the Astros. However, in 2022 and 2023, the Red Sox finished last in their division again.

Home Stadium: Fenway Park

The Red Sox have played at Fenway Park since 1912. This makes it the oldest active baseball stadium in MLB. It's also the oldest active stadium in any major North American sport. Before Fenway, the team played at the Huntington Avenue Grounds from 1901 to 1911.

Fan Attendance at Fenway Park

Fenway Park night game
Left field grandstands during a 2014 game.
Yankees vs. Red Sox at Fenway Park
Center field bleachers during a 2014 game.

From May 15, 2003, to April 10, 2013, the Red Sox sold out every home game at Fenway Park. This amazing streak of 820 games is a record for all major American sports!

Home attendance at Fenway Park
Year Total attendance Game average League rank
2000 2,585,895 31,925 6th
2001 2,625,333 32,412 6th
2002 2,650,862 32,727 4th
2003 2,724,165 33,632 4th
2004 2,837,294 35,028 4th
2005 2,847,888 35,159 3rd
2006 2,930,588 36,180 4th
2007 2,970,755 36,676 4th
2008 3,048,250 37,633 4th
2009 3,062,699 37,811 3rd
2010 3,046,445 37,610 4th
2011 3,054,001 37,704 4th
2012 3,043,003 37,568 4th
2013 2,833,333 34,979 5th
2014 2,956,089 36,495 3rd
2015 2,880,694 35,564 3rd
2016 2,955,434 36,487 4th
2017 2,917,678 36,021 4th
2018 2,895,575 35,748 4th
2019 2,915,502 35,994 3rd
2020dagger
2021dagger 1,725,323 21,300 4th
2022 2,625,089 32,409 4th
2023 2,672,130 32,989 5th

dagger Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season had no fans, and some 2021 games had limited fans.

Spring Training

JetBlue Park at Fenway South 2
A spring training game at JetBlue Park.
In training at Hot Springs
1907: Boston players leaving their hotel in Little Rock for a spring training game (photo courtesy of the Boston Public Library).

The Red Sox first held spring training in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1901. Since 1993, they have trained in Fort Myers, Florida. They first used City of Palms Park, and since 2012, they've been at JetBlue Park at Fenway South.

JetBlue Park: Fenway South

JetBlue Park opened in March 2012. It's designed to look a lot like Fenway Park. It even has a 37-foot (11 m) Green Monster wall in left field, just like Fenway! The field dimensions are exactly the same as Fenway Park.

Truck Day

"Truck Day" is an unofficial start to spring training for the Red Sox. It's the day a big truck filled with equipment leaves Fenway Park for Florida. In 2021, Truck Day was on February 8.

Team Rivalries

New York Yankees: A Classic Rivalry

The Red Sox and New York Yankees have been rivals for over 100 years. This rivalry is one of the oldest and most famous in professional sports.

Games between these two teams are always exciting and get a lot of media attention. They have played each other in the playoffs many times. The Yankees won in 1999 and 2003, while the Red Sox won in 2004 and 2018. The Red Sox also won a special Wild Card game against them in 2021.

In 1978, the Yankees caught up to the Red Sox after being 14 games behind. They then won a special playoff game to decide the division title. In 2003, the Red Sox lost to the Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS on a walk-off home run. But in 2004, the Red Sox made history! They came back from being down 3-0 in the ALCS against the Yankees to win the series. This was the first time in MLB history a team had done that.

Tampa Bay Rays: A Newer Rivalry

The rivalry between Boston and the Tampa Bay Rays started in the late 2000s. They first met in the playoffs in the 2008 ALCS. Since then, both teams have won their division many times. This rivalry is known for being very competitive.

The teams have met three times in the MLB playoffs. The Rays won the 2008 ALCS. The Red Sox won the 2013 ALDS and the 2021 ALDS.

Media and Music

Radio and Television

The main radio station for the Red Sox is WEEI-FM 93.7. Joe Castiglione has been broadcasting games since 1983. Many stations across New England carry the games.

All Red Sox TV games are shown on New England Sports Network (NESN). Dave O'Brien calls the play-by-play. Former Red Sox players like Kevin Youkilis and Kevin Millar provide commentary.

Music and the Red Sox

Boston Rooters singing Tessie, 1903 World Series - DPLA - 9cc96bebe79aa10c9061f34b64118c3d
Boston's Royal Rooters singing Tessie during the 1903 World Series.

Music has been a part of the Red Sox culture for a long time. The song Tessie was used as a rallying cry by fans in the early 1900s. A newer version by the band The Dropkick Murphys was in the movie Fever Pitch. This song is often played after home wins. Their song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" is played when the closing pitcher comes into the game.

"Dirty Water" by The Standells is played right after every Red Sox home win.

Another popular song is Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline". It started being played at Fenway Park in 1997. Now, it's played every night during the 8th inning, and fans sing along. Neil Diamond said he wrote the song for Caroline Kennedy, whose great-grandfather threw the first pitch at Fenway Park in 1912.

Honors and Achievements

Awards

Red Sox players have won the MVP Award 12 times. The most recent was Mookie Betts in 2018. They have won the Cy Young Award seven times, most recently Rick Porcello in 2016. The Rookie of the Year has been won six times, with Dustin Pedroia being the most recent in 2007.

Retired Numbers

9
Ted
Williams

LF
 
Retired May 29, 1984
4
Joe
Cronin

SS
Mgr, GM
Retired May 29, 1984
1
Bobby
Doerr

2B
Coach
Retired May 21, 1988
8
Carl
Yastrzemski
LF, 1B, DH
 
Retired August 6, 1989
27
Carlton
Fisk
C
 
Retired September 4, 2000
6
Johnny
Pesky

SS, 3B
Mgr, Coach
Retired September 23, 2008
14
Jim
Rice

LF, DH
Coach
Retired July 28, 2009
45
Pedro
Martínez

RHP
 
Retired July 28, 2015
26
Wade
Boggs
3B
 
Retired May 26, 2016
34
David
Ortiz

DH, 1B
 
Retired June 23, 2017
42
Jackie
Robinson

All MLB
 
Honored
April 15, 1997

The Red Sox have retired several jersey numbers to honor their greatest players. These numbers are no longer worn by other players on the team.

Number 42 is retired for all of MLB in honor of Jackie Robinson.

Fenway retired numbers 2009
Red Sox retired numbers as of 2009 on the right field facade, displayed in numerical order.

Baseball Hall of Famers

Pedro Martinez HOF
Pedro Martínez was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Many players who played for the Red Sox are in the Baseball Hall of Fame. These include:

Notable Records and Achievements

  • David Ortiz hit 54 home runs in 2006, setting a new team record for most home runs in a season.
  • On April 22, 2007, four Red Sox players (Manny Ramírez, J. D. Drew, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek) hit four home runs in a row! This was only the fifth time this had happened in MLB history.
  • In 2016, David Ortiz set records for most home runs (38) and runs batted in (127) in a player's final MLB season.
  • The Red Sox won 108 games in 2018, breaking their old team record of 105 wins from 1912.
  • With their win in the 2018 World Series, the Red Sox became the first team to win four World Series in the 21st century.

No-Hitters

Jon Lester (51006206188) (cropped)
Jon Lester threw the most recent no-hitter for the Red Sox, in 2008.

A no-hitter is when a pitcher pitches a whole game without allowing the other team to get any hits. The Red Sox have had 18 no-hitters in their history. The most recent was by Jon Lester in 2008. The first no-hitter for the Red Sox was also a perfect game (meaning no one reached base at all), thrown by Cy Young in 1904.

Hitting for the Cycle

Hitting for the cycle means a player gets a single, a double, a triple, and a home run all in the same game. Red Sox batters have done this 23 times. On October 8, 2018, Brock Holt became the first player in MLB history to hit for the cycle in a playoff game!

Brock Holt batting in game against Yankees 09-27-16 (3)
Brock Holt hit for the cycle twice for the Red Sox, including the first in Postseason history.

Here are some Red Sox players who have hit for the cycle:

Minor League Teams

The Red Sox have several minor league teams where younger players develop their skills. They have six minor league teams in different leagues.

Level Team League Location Distance to
Fenway Park
Triple-A Worcester Red Sox International League Worcester, Massachusetts 45 miles (72 km)
Double-A Portland Sea Dogs Eastern League Portland, Maine 107 miles (172 km)
High-A Greenville Drive South Atlantic League Greenville, South Carolina 932 miles (1,500 km)
Single-A Salem Red Sox Carolina League Salem, Virginia 677 miles (1,090 km)
Rookie FCL Red Sox Florida Complex League Fort Myers, Florida 1,247 miles (2,007 km)
DSL Red Sox Blue Dominican Summer League Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 1,650 miles (2,660 km)
DSL Red Sox Red

See also

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