Editor's note: NESN.com is teaming up with WhatIfSports.com to crown the greatest Red Sox team of all time with the "Red Sox Showdown for the Ages." Click here for more information on the 16-team simulation tournament.
Starting on Monday, we'll start to preview the tournament, looking at four teams each day. This preview is for the the 1975 team, the No. 10 seed in the Red Sox Showdown for the Ages.
1975 Boston Red Sox
Record: 95-65
Finish: 1st in AL East, Lost World Series to Cincinnati Reds
Manager: Darrell Johnson
Best Player: Fred Lynn (.331 average, 21 home runs, 105 RBIs, 103 runs, won AL Rookie of the Year and MVP)
Best Pitcher: Rick Wise (19-12, 3.95 ERA, 255 1/3 IP)
Breakdown: One of the greatest teams to not win it all, this Red Sox team had the unfortunate task of taking on the Big Red Machine in the World Series. Pushing the champs to seven games — aided by Carlton Fisk's legendary home run in Game 6 — this Sox team is remembered for Freddy Lynn's memorable first season as well as a star-studded lineup featuring Carl Yastrzemski, Fisk, Cecil Cooper and a young Jim Rice. On the mound, the three-headed monster of Rick Wise, Bill Lee and Luis Tiant helped lead the Sox to the AL Pennet.
