Red Sox 1994

Well the season has been over for quite some time now. As I'm sure you have probley herd the Sox finished in last place, their worst season since 1966. While this was not my favorite Red Sox team all time, (not by a long shot) It made me think what are my favorite Red Sox teams. So I made a list of 10 Red Sox teams that I followed since I became a Sox fan (1992 or so). So roughly that last 20 years. Interesting teams I came up with. Lets start with #10 today. 10. 1994 Red Sox 54-61 17 GB NYY Why you might be wondering why is this sub .500 Red Sox team #10 on my list? Good question. This was the team that sort of started it all for me. Expectations were high for the Sox that year. After a dissapointing 80-82 1993 season the Sox added speedster Otis Nixon and backstop Dave Valle. The Sox coming out of spring training had pitching depth in the rotation. It included a healthy Roger Clemens (who went 6-0 in the spring) Veteran lefty Frank Viola who went 11-8 with a 3.19 era in '93, Danny Darwin also had a solid '93 season which included 15 wins and a nifty 3.26 era. The staff rounded out Aaron Sele a rookie in '93 went 7-2 with a 2.74 era and veteran lefty Joe Hesketh was the number 5 starter. The bullpen was anchored by closer Jeff Russell and setup man Ken Ryan who both had career years in 1993. To open the season Dave Valle and free agent signee from Seattle was the starting catcher for the Sox in '94. He did not last however he was traded to Milwaukee in June for OF Tom Brunansky. Valle hit a whopping .158 for the Sox in 30 games. He would be replaced by Damon Berryhill and Rich Rowland. At first was a young slugger named Mo Vaughn. Vaughn hit .310 and hit 26 homers that season. Vaughn a fan favorite still a season away from being an MVP of the American League. It second was veteran Scott Fletcher. Fletcher hurt for a lot of the season, a scrappy infielder a good '93 season was hurt a lot in '94 would be replaced a lot for utility infielder Tim Neahring. John Valentin was the shortstop in '94 who on July 8th make history turned a unassisted triple play in the 6th inning of a game vs the Mariners. Valentin also did it with the bat hitting .316 with a .400 OBP. It was appearing the Valentin was becoming one the better shortstops in the league. Rounding out the infield at third was the Sox lone all star in '94. Scott Cooper an all star also in '93 took over third for the departed Wade Boggs a few years earlier. A good player (hit .282 in '94) never really lived up to the potential in his career. He never quite developed the power the Sox had hoped though was a good doubles hitter. ( In fact hit a key double late innings of the '94 All Star Game in Pittsburgh) But injuries took a toll on him while out Tim Neahring filled in at third and did a fine job. Cooper was later traded after the season to St. Louis. Neahring became the Sox starting third baseman and became later known as a "dirt dog" for his aggressive play not afraid to get his uniform dirty style play. Out in the outfield Mike Greenwell patrolled left field. After hitting .315 in '93 in 144 games "The Gator" as he was known hit a dissapointing .269 in '94. While a stint on the DL late in the strike shorted season didn't help some wondered if he was going to ever fill the potential that he strived for. A bright spot in the season was leadoff hitter and speedy centerfielder Otis Nixon. Acquired from Atlanta by via free agency during the off season Nixon hit .274 but stole 42 bases for the Sox. Un-herd off for a Sox team to steal bases. But that is what Nixon provided along with a solid glove in center with a lot of range. He was however traded during the '94-'95 off season to Texas for slugger Jose Canseco but we'll get to that one later. In right field the season started with veteran Billy Hatcher (who was best known for stealing home in '93) he was however at the end of his career he ended up in May being traded to Philadelphia for Wes Chamberlain. Hatcher hit .244 for the Sox in '94, Chamberlain hit .256 for the Sox that season. Chamberlain was mearly a back up outfielder in '94. In June the Sox traded catcher Dave Valle to Milwaukee that brought back outfielder Tom Brunansky. Bruno as he was known provided much needed power and clutch hitting the Sox needed. While only hit .230 8 of his 10 homer either tied or put the Sox ahead in games. Also played a sold right field. (Ok Im a little biased, he was my first favorite Sox player at the time but it was great to see a favorite back in a Sox uniform) The dh that year was future hall of famer Andre Dawson. Dawson near the end of his great career once a 5 tool player was no more. Too many knee surgeries took the toll on a great hitter and outfielder. Twice on the disabled list in 94 The Hawk still managed to hit 16 homers. But he was let go after the season and finished his career in the National League with the Florida Marlins. Few highlights of the season included Scott Cooper hitting for the cycle vs Kansas City on April 12. July 8 John Valentin turned a triple play vs the Mariners. (1st AL unassisted in nearly 25 years) A personal highlight for me on July 10 my dad took me to my 1st ever Sox game vs the Mariners. Sox won 9-2. Roger Clemens pitched 2 two hitters vs Oakland. April 20th was a 2 hit shutout at Fenway and then July 14 he pitched a 2 hit complete game winning 2-1 in Oakland. While the Sox finished a dissapointing 4th place in the AL east the season was wiped out on Aug 12 when the strike began which would wipe not only the rest of the regular season but the entire postseason too. Baseball would come back in late April 1995 but would take a long time to regain the public trust.