As the Sox began the second half of their season, no one could have guessed what would take place in the next two weeks. It was something magic-the birth of a Nation.
The headline on June 14 was “42,282 See Red Sox Split with O’s”. It was a day-night twinbill, and there were about 19,000 on hand for what was called the “businessman’s game” at 1:00 and 23,000 more in the evening. The doubleheader was fairly routine, with the Bosox winning the first 4-2 behind Lee Stange and a fine effort out of the pen for rookie reliever Sparky Lyle and closer John Wyatt. Baltimore came back strong, however, in game 2 with a six-hit 10-0 shutout by Dave McNally, backed by 16 hits off four Boston pitchers. The Sox rebounded to take the next game 11-5.
The world news in Summer 67 was depressing. Cities were exploding in riots (Newark Cools-Cost:16 Dead). Vietnam dragged on (End of War Resolution by NAACP). But incredible things were happening in Boston baseball. The excitement began with a triple play to spark the Sox over the O’s, 5-1. Rookie starter Gary Waslewski was deep in Dick Williams’ doghouse- so deep that after walking the first two batters, Luis Aparicio and Russ Snyder, Waslewski was removed in favor of Jose Santiago. It was obvious that Williams had no confidence in the rookie and had been warming Santiago up even as the game began. But it all turned out fine. On a 3-2 pitch, the runners broke and Paul Blair smashed a liner that was caught by Joe Foy, who threw to second to double Aparicio. In a baserunning blunder, Snyder was all the way past second base and was an easy out on Mike Andrews’ throw to first- a triple play! A possible big inning ended in a second.
The tempo of the game changed completely. The Sox exploded for 4 in the the bottom half on 5 hits and some outfield misplays. Santiago, soon to become a starter, went 6 innings for the win and Bell pitched the last 3.
The hard-hitting Tigers came to the Fens next, and 28,000 were on hand to watch the Bosox slam Detroit’s Joe Sparma for a 9-5 pasting with homers by Carl Yastrzemski (no. 21) and Tony Conigliaro (no 15). Lyle, whose best years as a reliever would unfortunately come in a pinstripe uniform, relieved starter Darrell Brandon and went 3 2/3 for the “unoffiicial” save.
The next night produced another victory, this time 7-1 to move Boston into third. Even nemesis Denny McLain could not stop them as they built a 5-1 lead after 5 and coasted in. Lee Stange, who was beginning to come around as a starter, threw his first complete game of the year, allowing 7 hits and retiring the last 14 batters. A headline read that the Sox had averaged 23,887 in their six-game homestand- a small figure today but not for a team that had drawn less than 10,000 in the 67 home opener.
Boston had now taken four in a row, and it continued on the road in Baltimore, as Lonny coasted to his 13th win, tops in the majors, by a 6-2 count. The team was also hitting, knocking out McNally in a five-run second begun by consecutive doubles by Conig, George Scott and Jerry Adair. Lonborg himself even contributed a run-scoring hit. Only a two-run homer by Curt Motton prevented another shutout. The streak was now five, and the Townies were winning in all kinds of ways. The next night, they erupted for 5 in the fifth, begun by a three-run homer by Andrews off Pete Richert. A Boog Powell blast made it close in the eighth, but the suddenly surging Santiago hurled 4 2/3 innings in relief of Bell for a 6-4 final.
The Sox were now only 1 1/2 games behind the league-leading White Sox. Could this really be happening? A Globe column by Harold Kaese was entitled: “Pennant Fever- A Diagnosis”. Example- :”When you tremble at the thought of shaking Carl Yastrzemski’s hand at a church breakfast.” A Ray Fitzgerald piece was called”Tony C Slugs to Right-Sox a Buoyant Crew”. “Nothing can stop us now'” exclaimed the usually quiet Yaz, though Williams cautioned that “we still have a long way to go.”
When was the last time the Sox had been in a pennant race? 1949? 1950? Who cared? Something magic was happening all over New England.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
