The Red Sox’ ‘Impossible Dream’ team squares off against the Boston Americans winning the first World Series in the first round of Boston’s Greatest Sports Moment tournament.
When Red Sox fans hear the year 1967, they immediately think of the Red Sox team that completed a Cinderella season. The Red Sox hadn’t compiled a winning record in eight years, and no one expected them to play well, let alone get to the World Series, in ’67. The Red Sox fought for clutch wins against the Tigers and Indians down the stretch, and won their last two games of the season to cap off the improbable campaign. Paced by Carl Yastrzemski’s Triple Crown season with 121 RBIs, 44 home runs and .326 batting average, the Red Sox advanced to the World Series for the first time in 21 years. The accomplishment earned the nickname “The Impossible Dream.”
Even back in 1903, when the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Americans squared off in the first World Series, Boston’s baseball team had a strong support system. The Americans, who represented the new American League (formed in 1901), had home-field advantage in the best-of-nine series, and the team’s fan base, the Royal Rooters, took to heckling the Pirates. The Jimmy Collins-managed Americans were in a 3-1 hole in the series, but thanks to strong performances from pitchers Cy Young and Bill Dineen, the Americans reeled off three straight victories to take a 4-3 lead in the series. In the eighth game, at the Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds in Boston, the Americans struck first in the fourth inning and cruised to a 3-0 shutout behind Dineen en route to their first World Series victory. The Americans’ win provided credibility to the American League and the concept of a World Series competition with the National League, formed in 1876.
« 4. Papi G4 walk-off vs. 13. KG’s glory roar | 3. Tuck rule play vs. 14. Williams’ final AB »
Share your thoughts about Boston’s Greatest Sports Moment on Twitter at @NESN. Include #BGSM in your tweet.
