Editor’s note: Fenway Park opened on April 20, 1912. NESN.com will be celebrating Fenway’s 100-year anniversary with unique content from now until April 20, 2012.
Darrell Johnson's first season at the helm for the Boston Red Sox didn't end the way it was supposed to.
Boston, which spent a full 101 days atop the division, held a seven-game lead in the AL East as late as Aug. 23. An eight-game losing skid that stretched into September erased the division lead with the team ultimately finishing third, seven games behind the New York Yankees.
Carl Yastrzemski, named captain by Johnson before the season began, led a struggling Boston offense, hitting .301 with 15 home runs, and 79 RBIs. Luis Tiant led all Boston pitchers with 22 wins while Bill Lee finished with 17 of his own.
Injuries to Carlton Fisk and Doug Griffin hurt Boston as it struggled to maintain its division lead, missing the postseason again.
Fenway Park hosted its final Red Sox-Boston Globe Baseball Clinic in 1974 as nearly 8,000 youngsters showed up for coaching from Johnson and his staff.
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