Oil Can Boyd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oil Can Boyd |
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Oil Can Boyd in 2008
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: October 6, 1959 Meridian, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 13, 1982, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 1, 1991, for the Texas Rangers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 78–77 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.04 | ||
| Strikeouts | 799 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Dennis Ray "Oil Can" Boyd (born October 6, 1959) is a former American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 10 seasons. Boyd was known for his exciting style of play.
He played for the Boston Red Sox (1982–1989), Montreal Expos (1990–1991), and Texas Rangers (1991). During his career, he had 78 wins and 77 losses. He also recorded 799 strikeouts.
His unique nickname, "Oil Can," came from his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi. People there sometimes called beer "oil."
Contents
Early Life and Education
Dennis Ray Boyd was born on October 6, 1959. His parents were Willie "Skeeter" Boyd and Girtharae "Sweetie" Boyd. He grew up in Meridian, Mississippi.
Boyd attended Meridian High School. After high school, he went on to study at Jackson State University.
Major League Baseball Career
Playing for the Boston Red Sox (1982–1989)
The Boston Red Sox chose Dennis Boyd in the 16th round of the 1980 amateur draft. He made his first appearance in the major leagues in the 1982 season. Boyd was a tall and slender pitcher, standing 6-foot-2. He played for 10 years in the major leagues.
From 1983 to 1985, Boyd won 31 games for the Red Sox. In 1985, he had a great season with 15 victories. By the middle of that season, his record was 10 wins and 5 losses. He also had a good ERA of 3.19.
By the end of the 1985 season, Boyd set new personal bests. He started 35 games, completed 13 complete games, and had 154 strikeouts. He also pitched 272.1 innings. The Boston Baseball Writers Association recognized his excellent performance. They named him the 1985 Boston Red Sox Pitcher of the Year.
In 1986, Boyd achieved a career-high of 16 wins for the Red Sox. At the All-Star break, his record was 11 wins and 6 losses. During the 1986 American League Championship Series, Boyd started two games. He helped the Red Sox win Game Six against the California Angels.
Boyd also started Game Three of the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets. He pitched into the seventh inning in that game. The Red Sox lost that game. He was originally set to start the final Game Seven of the series. However, a rainout changed the pitching plans.
In 1987, Boyd played in only seven games. He had a record of 1 win and 3 losses that season. His injuries affected his performance. This led to fewer games started in his last two seasons with the Red Sox. In 1988, his record was 9 wins and 7 losses. In 1989, he had 3 wins and 2 losses.
Playing for the Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers (1990–1991)
After the 1989 season, Boyd signed with the Montreal Expos. He joined them as a free agent. In 1990, he won 10 games for the Expos. He also had a strong 2.93 ERA.
The Texas Rangers acquired Boyd from Montreal during the 1991 season. His work with the Expos before joining the Rangers was good. However, his time with the Rangers was challenging. In 12 starts, he had a record of 2 wins and 7 losses. He allowed 81 hits in just 62 innings. When the season ended, Boyd became a free agent. He decided to retire from Major League Baseball.
Later Career and Legacy
Playing After MLB (1992–2007)
After his time in Major League Baseball, Boyd continued to play baseball. He played in Mexico for two teams. He played for the Industriales of Monterrey in 1993. In 1994, he played for the Yucatán Leones.
In 2005, Boyd returned to professional baseball at 45 years old. He pitched for the Brockton Rox. This team was part of the Can-Am League. He pitched in 17 games, winning 4 and losing 5. He had a 3.83 ERA over 110 innings.
Boyd then went on a barnstorming tour in 2007. This tour was inspired by the spirit of the Negro leagues. His team was called "Oil Can Boyd's Traveling All-Stars."
His Impact and Personality
Dennis Boyd was known for his energetic personality during games. He often showed his excitement with fist pumps. He would also shout from the dugout and give high-fives to his teammates. He was a popular player for reporters to interview in Boston.
One of his most famous quotes came after a game was postponed. The game was at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. It was delayed due to fog from Lake Erie. When asked about it, Boyd famously said, "That's what you get for building a ballpark on the ocean."
In 2010, Boyd was honored for his achievements. He was inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. In 2012, he released his autobiography. It was co-written by Boyd and Mike Shalin.
Personal Life
Dennis Boyd has many relatives who also played professional baseball. His uncles, K. T. Boyd and Robert Boyd, played for teams like the Kansas City Monarchs and the Memphis Red Sox. His great-great-uncle, Benjamin Boyd, also played for the Memphis Red Sox and the Homestead Grays. Boyd is also related to baseball player Barry Larkin. Larkin is Boyd's father's first cousin.
