Trying to change history. The Story of the 1986 Boston Red Sox

[fergman78]

Reading RJL's 1986 Met's dynasty made me decide I wanted to try to do the same from the Red Sox perspective.


My backstory
My name is Scott and I grew up and still live in Massachusetts. I was 7 years old at the start of the 1986 season. This was the first year I started getting into the Red Sox. I watched as many games as I could (I didn't get cable until 1987) and this was also the year I attended my first game at Fenway. I was so excited as a now 8 year old when the Sox made it to the World Series. My parents recorded the games for me since I wasn't allowed to stay up late and watch them. I remember how upset I was watching the ending of Game 6 and that's what brings us to today. I am going to try to make this right and take the Red Sox to the Championship.


I am playing with real life transactions and will follow the schedule using baseball reference using the same lineup the Sox used on that specific day. I will provide daily updates and weekly and monthly summaries of everything going on in the league.


With that said, its on to opening day!

[fergman78]

Preseason Predictions have come out and they do not favor the Red Sox

[fergman78]

Opening day is in the books and although only allowing 5 hits in 7 2/3 innings 2 of those hits were homeruns so Bruce Hurst and the Red Sox fall to the Tigers 4-3.


Highlights of the game were Evans leading the season off with a homer then connecting again later in the game. Wade Boggs had 3 hits and reached base 5 times.


Real Life 0-1 Loss 6-5
Replay 0-1 Loss 4-3

[fergman78]

April 9th 1986 Game 2 Red Sox vs. Tigers


Baylor Grand Slam in the top of the 1st is all the offense The Sox would need. Oil Can Boyd tosses 6 innings giving up 3 runs and the Red Sox get their first win of the season 4-3.


Real Life 0-2 6-5 L
Replay 1-1 4-3 W

[fergman78]

April 10th, 1986 Game 3 Red Sox vs. Tigers


Detroit jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after two innings but after a Sacrifice Fly from Tony Armas and a 3 Run bomb by Rich Gedman in the top of the 3rd the Sox moved ahead 4-3. Nipper can't hold the lead and gives up a solo shot to Lance Parrish in the bottom of the inning. The Slugfest continues as Evans homers in the top of the 4th putting the Red Sox back on top 5-4. Random note Don Baylor has been hit in his first three at bats today. Nipper just didn't have it today after giving up a 2 run homer to Mike Laga (2nd of the game) he has been replaced by Steve Crawford. Crawford gives up another run in the bottom of the 4th putting the Sox down 7-5. The Red Sox won't give up and strike for four in the top of the 5th to go up 9-7. Sox score 3 more and going into the bottom of the 9th were up 12-7 when disaster struck. After getting 3 back off Tim Lollar, Sox brought Closer Bob Stanley in with the bases loaded and 2 outs and he promptly gives up a walk off GRAND SLAM to Dave Collins.


Real Life 1-2 6-4 W
Replay 1-2 13-12 L

[fergman78]

April 11th, 1986 Game 4 Red Sox vs. White Sox


Not much time to think about what happened the night before as the Red Sox now travel to Chicago to begin a series with the White Sox.


Red Sox jumped out to a 5-1 lead and with Roger Clemens on the mound that should be enough but sadly it wasn't. Clemens may have been left in a little too long and Calvin Schiraldi gave up the go ahead hit as the Red Sox fall to the White Sox 6-5.


Real Life 2-2 7-2 W
Replay 1-3 6-5 L

[fergman78]

April 12th, 1986 Game 5 Red Sox vs. White Sox


Red Sox jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead after 1 but that's all they would get until the 9th as Tom Seaver shut them down and the White Sox hang on to win 4-3.


Red Sox will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow before heading home for the home opener.


Real Life 2-3 3-1 L
Replay 1-4 4-3 L

[fergman78]

April 13th, 1986 Game 6 Red Sox vs. White Sox


Tim Lollar gets a rare spot spot and stinks up the joint lasting only 2 1/3 innings giving up 6 runs and that was more than enough for the White Sox as they complete the sweep with a 9-4 win. The Red Sox will head home now and try to get on track.


Real Life 3-3 12-2 W
Replay 1-5 9-4 L

[fergman78]

Week 1 is in the books and what a disappointing week it was for the Red Sox. Going 1-5 is not the start we were looking for. Looking around the league the White Sox and Angels both are off to hot starts and the Mets also take an undefeated record into week 2.

[fergman78]

April 14th, 1986 Game 7 Royals vs. Red Sox


KC jumps on Oil Can Boyd with 2 runs in the top of the first but settles down after to that to keep the Sox in it. The Sox finally take the lead with a 5 run sixth but once again the bullpen implodes and to blow the lead and after a 109 minute rain delay George Brett hits a sacrifice fly in the 9th which proved to be the game winner as KC wins 8-7.


Real Life 3-4 8-2 L
Replay 1-6 8-7 L

[fergman78]

April 16th 1986 Game 8 Royals vs. Red Sox


Al Nipper pitches 7 innings allowing 3ER and the Red Sox finally end their losing streak with a 6-4 win. The Sox now look to take the final game of the series tomorrow.


Real Life 3-5 1-0 L
Replay 2-6 6-4 W

[fergman78]

April 17th 1986 Game 9 Royals vs. Red Sox


Roger Clemens got the start in the final game of this 3 game series and absolutely dominated. Clemens pitched a complete game 2 hitter striking out 11 as the Sox shut out the Royals 2-0. The Red Sox will look to extract some revenge as the White Sox come in over the weekend.




Real Life 4-5 6-2 W
Replay 3-6 2-0 W

[rjl518]

ill be watching to see how well these Red Sox do...so you have my attention..but i still think, at the end of the season, Vin Scully will say...

"A little roller down the line...BEHIND THE BAG!!! It gets through Buckner...here comes Knight and the Mets win it!!!"

oh...sorry...didnt mean to bring up some bad memories...you need therapy? lol

[fergman78]

April 18th, 1986 Game 10 White Sox vs. Red Sox


Bruce Hurst and Tom Seaver were locked in a great pitchers dual and with the Red Sox leading 3-2 heading to the 9th Bob Stanley was called upon to close the door. Stanley imploded much like the rest of the bullpen this year and allowed 3 runs giving the White Sox a 5-3 lead as they headed to the bottom of the 9th. It was in the bottom of the 9th that Wade Boggs sent the crowd home happy with a walk off 3 run bomb into the bullpen off White Sox closer Bob James.




Real Life 5-5 2-1 W
Replay 4-6 6-5 W

[fergman78]

Originally Posted by rjl518

ill be watching to see how well these Red Sox do...so you have my attention..but i still think, at the end of the season, Vin Scully will say...

"A little roller down the line...BEHIND THE BAG!!! It gets through Buckner...here comes Knight and the Mets win it!!!"

oh...sorry...didnt mean to bring up some bad memories...you need therapy? lol

Not Nice!! Haha

[fergman78]

April 19th 1986 Game 11 White Sox vs. Red Sox


This game was close through 6 innings as Oil Can Boyd and Richard Dotson were both pitching well. Boston exploded for 4 in the 7th and 3 more in the 8th and finished with a 9-3 victory.


Real Life 6-5 3-2 W
Replay 5-6 9-3 W

[fergman78]

April 20th, 1986 Game 12 White Sox vs. Red Sox


Mike Brown making a spot start gave up 3 runs in the first and the Red Sox couldn't really get anything going against Floyd Bannister and the White Sox avoid the sweep and get out of Boston with a 4-3 win. Double plays hurt the Red Sox in this one as Bill Buckner hit into 3. Wade Boggs extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Detroit will now be coming in for a 3 game series beginning tomorrow.








Real Life 7-5 6-2 W
Replay 5-7 4-3 L

[fergman78]

After 2 weeks the Red Sox sit 3 1/2 games out of first place. Looking around the league the Brewers are the only team that hasn't won a game yet currently sitting at 0-11 and the Mets are the only remaining undefeated team at 8-0.

[fergman78]

April 21st, 1986 Game 13 Tigers vs. Red Sox


Al Nipper pitches into the 8th and allows only 1 run and Don Baylor smacked a homer as the Sox get back on track with a 4-1 win over the Tigers.




Real Life 7-6 5-4 L
Replay 6-7 4-1 W

[rjl518]

wow...my mets got off to a better start in your dynasty than mine...hmmmmm...