Sox 67

At the end of August 67, the Sox were in New York for a three-game series. Two things would happen in these games that would be inconceivable today. First, Yankee Stadium had a “Carl Yastrzemski Night”, and second, a traffic jam developed when thousands of New Englanders drove to the Big Apple to fill empty Stadium seats and watch their heroes take on the ninth-place New Yorkers.

The Boston-New York rivalry had been in hiatus since the early 50’s. For over 15 years, the Yanks had been at or near the top and the Sox mediocre or worse. But now the roles were reversed, with the ex-Bombers three games out of the cellar. At Yaz Night, most of Carl’s Long Island family and friends were present. New York mayor John Lindsay and Governor Nelson Rockefeller were there along with Mass. Governor John Volpe. Among Yaz’s gifts were a cream-colored Chrysler with Mass. registration “Yaz-8”. A Yankee spokesman said it was the first time he could remember an awards ceremony for a visiting player. But this was 67, and the whole country was in love with the potato farmer’s son who wore a Boston uniform.

The series itself wasn’t bad, either. Boston took the opener 3-0 behind the hurling of Dave Morehead and Sparky Lyle, who threw 3 1/3 one-hit relief innings. Hot-hitting Reggie Smith backed them up with an eighth-inning homer. A twinighter the next evening produced another Jim Lonborg masterpiece in game 1 and a 20-inning New York victory in game 2. The first saw a great pitching matchup between Lonny and Yankee ace Mel Stottlemyre, taken 2-1 by Boston. As was fairly common 45 years ago, both hurlers went the full 9 innings and the contest was over in 2:10. Lonborg, a better-than-average hitter, drove in the winning run himself.  Game 2 was reminiscent of an earlier contest, also taken by the Yanks in 18 frames. A Horace Clarke single off Bucky Brandon, who went 5 good relief innings, finally settled it. Lots of Sox fans were bleary-eyed the next morning; unlike today, it was a novelty to have a contest go to 2 a.m.

The following night Yaz helped push the Townies lead to 1 1/2 games with an 11th inning 420-foot homer. The final count was 2-1, with the win going to John Wyatt (four two-hit innings). Yankee Al Downing, for his part, went all 11 frames, walking 3 and fanning 11.

The Sox returned to Fenway after a successful 6-3 road trip. A photo of five players’ wives waiting at the airport, some with children in tow, reflects the styles of 1967-bouffant haircuts and minidresses. They might have been waiting for tickets for a Supremes concert at Boston Garden.

The next series was with the White Sox of Eddie Stanky. Known to make rash and sometimes insulting statements to and about opposing players, Stanky was part loudmouth and part showman. He was also an effective manager. His Chisox rallied with 3 in the eighth inning off Gary Bell to take the series opener 4-2. Starter Cisco Carlos held Boston hitless for 6 innings, but they grabbed a 2-1 lead in the seventh with big hits from George Scott and Rico Petrocelli. But the visitors came back on homers from Tommy Agee and Pete Ward to take the lead, and old friend Don McMahon went 1 1/2 hitless innings for the victory.

Ken “Hawk” Harrelson had been acquired for $80,000 from the A’s of erratic Charlie Finley. Hawk would soon take Tony C’s position in right field and also as a Boston hero, and he exploded in the next game with a homer, triple and double in an easy 10-2 win. The Townies rocked Gary Peters for 8 hits and 7 runs in the first two innings and breezed in with a 13-hit attack. Jose Santiago, fast becoming the no.2 starter, hurled his first complete game victory.

Stanky and his Chisox had the last laugh, however. Hurlers Joel Horlen and Tommy John, whose name was then simply that of a good pitcher and not part of a medical procedure, shut Boston down the next two days by counts of 4-1 and 4-0. Horlen bested Lonborg and John topped Lee Stange as Red Sox bats became suddenly quiet. Still, as the Sox prepared to travel to Washington, they trailed the Twins by only half a game, with Chicago and Detroit right behind.

On a rather sad note, Dick Williams was still talking about getting Tony C back in the lineup soon. “When we come back from Washington, we’ll let him bat against some easy pitching, then let him pinch hit when he’s ready.” He would not again be ready for a long, long time.