1988 Boston Red Sox season

Major League Baseball season March 2026 November 2013 Boston Red Sox 1988 American League East champions American League East Fenway Park Boston, Massachusetts 89–73 (.549) 1st Jean Yawkey, Haywood Sullivan John HarringtonThe Red Sox list 1987–2001 as Harrington's tenure as president,Boston Red Sox Media Guide 2020 Boston Red Sox Club Executives https://pressbox.athletics.com/Publications/MLB%20Media%20Guides/2020%20Boston%20Red%20Sox%20Media%20Guide.pdf 23–24 September 21, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200622004623/https://pressbox.athletics.com/Publications/MLB%20Media%20Guides/2020%20Boston%20Red%20Sox%20Media%20Guide.pdf June 22, 2020 Wayback Machine although the team's 1988 media guide listed Jean Yawkey as president. Lou Gorman John McNamara (43–42) Joe Morgan (46–31) WSBK-TV, Ch. 38(Sean McDonough, Bob Montgomery)NESN(Ned Martin, Jerry Remy) WPLM-FM 99.1WPLM-AM 1390(Ken Coleman, Joe Castiglione)WRCA(Bobby Serrano, Hector Martinez) bos BOS The 1988 Boston Red Sox season was the 88th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. The Red Sox finished first in the American League East with a record of 89–73 but were then swept by the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS. The team is best remembered for its change of fortune following its change of manager; after John McNamara was replaced by Joe Morgan, the team won its next 12 games in a stretch nicknamed "Morgan Magic".https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60960007/baseball-notes/ Baseball notes Nick Cafardo The Boston Globe C4 April 24, 2016 October 12, 2020 newspapers.com Offseason December 8, 1987: Lee Smith was traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Red Sox for Al Nipper and Calvin Schiraldi.Lee Smith Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com January 5, 1988: Dennis Lamp was signed as a free agent with the Red Sox.Dennis Lamp Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com Regular season +Record by monthhttps://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/TBOS01988.htm The 1988 Boston Red Sox Retrosheet October 12, 2020Month Record Cumulative AL East Ref. Won Lost Won Lost Position GB April 14 6 14 6 2nd 1 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/04301988.htm Events of Saturday, April 30, 1988 May 11 16 25 22 4th 7 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/05311988.htm Events of Tuesday, May 31, 1988 June 14 12 39 34 3rd 6 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/06301988.htm Events of Thursday, June 30, 1988 July 21 9 60 43 3rd 1 1 2 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/07311988.htm Events of Sunday, July 31, 1988 August 13 16 73 59 2nd 2 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/08311988.htm Events of Wednesday, August 31, 1988 September 16 12 89 71 1st +3 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/09301988.htm Events of Friday, September 30, 1988 October 0 2 89 73 1st +1 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/10021988.htm Events of Sunday, October 2, 1988 Highlights A rough beginning The 1988 team seemed to start much better than their chaotic 1987 predecessors, going 14–6 in April; however, the team went sour thereafter, especially for Jim Rice as he moved from left field to designated hitter. Dwight Evans also had problems when he played first base, and the usually reliable Lee Smith had problems closing, including giving up a game-winning home run to the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day. thumb|right|upright=.66|Joe Morgan The Red Sox had an 11–16 record in May, followed by a slightly better June with a 14–12 record, but lost pitcher Jeff Sellers when he was hit by a line drive in Cleveland that broke his hand. Wes Gardner was moved from the bullpen to the rotation, but the team and its fans were losing patience. "Morgan Magic" At the All-Star break, the Red Sox were 43–42, nine games behind the Tigers in the AL East standings.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/07101988.htm Standings At Close of Play of July 10, 1988 Retrosheet October 12, 2020 Management had seen enough, firing John McNamara and elevating third base coach Joe Morgan to manager.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60959344/john-mcnamaras-short-season/ John McNamara's short season Hartford Courant Hartford, Connecticut E1 July 15, 1988 October 12, 2020 newspapers.com On July 15, the first game after the All-Star break, the Red Sox and Roger Clemens beat the Kansas City Royals and Bret Saberhagen, 3–1. This began a 12-game winning streak, which launched the Red Sox to first place over the slumping Tigers and New York Yankees. The Red Sox would later set an American League record of 24 straight home victories. Two months after Morgan became manager, the team was 81–63 and in first place by 4 1 2 games.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/09131988.htm Standings At Close of Play of September 13, 1988 Retrosheet October 12, 2020 The team cooled off in the final two weeks of the season, finishing with nine losses in their final 13 games,https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/VBOS01988.htm The 1988 Boston Red Sox Regular Season Game Log Retrosheet October 12, 2020 but held on to win the AL East, finishing one game ahead of the Tigers, for their second division title in three seasons. Season standings Boston Red Sox Record vs. opponents BOS Notable transactions April 15, 1988: Rick Cerone signed as a free agent with the Red Sox.Rick Cerone Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com July 29, 1988: Brady Anderson was traded by the Red Sox with minor league pitcher Curt Schilling to the Baltimore Orioles for Mike Boddicker.Brady Anderson Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com Opening Day lineup   5 Brady Anderson CF17 Marty Barrett 2B26 Wade Boggs     3B14 Jim Rice LF39 Mike Greenwell     RF24 Dwight Evans 1B30 Sam Horn DH10 Rich Gedman C  7 Spike Owen SS 21 Roger Clemens P Source:https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/B04040BOS1988.htm Detroit Tigers 5, Boston Red Sox 3 April 4, 1988 Retrosheet October 12, 2020 Alumni game The team held an old-timers game on May 14, before a scheduled home game against the Seattle Mariners. The alumni game marked the 40th anniversary of the 1948 Red Sox team, which had lost a one-game playoff to the Cleveland Indians. The visiting (non-Red Sox) alumni team, skippered by Lou Boudreau—who had been player-manager of the 1948 Cleveland squad—prevailed by an 8–2 score, led by four RBIs from former Pittsburgh Pirate Manny Sanguillén.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20321579/oldtimers_game_a_48_reminder/ Old-Timers game a '48 reminder Bob Sudyk Hartford Courant B5 May 15, 1988 May 24, 2018 newspapers.com Roster 1988 Boston Red Sox Roster Pitchers 52 Mike Boddicker 50 Tom Bolton 23 Oil Can Boyd 21 Roger Clemens 56 Zach Crouch 53 Steve Curry 28 Steve Ellsworth 44 Wes Gardner 47 Bruce Hurst 15 Dennis Lamp 54 Mike Rochford 19 Jeff Sellers 48 Lee Smith 41 Mike Smithson 46 Bob Stanley 42 John Trautwein 45 Rob Woodward Catchers  6 Rick Cerone 10 Rich Gedman 20 John Marzano Infielders 17 Marty Barrett 38 Todd Benzinger 26 Wade Boggs 27 Pat Dodson  7 Spike Owen 25 Larry Parrish  3 Jody Reed 11 Ed Romero Outfielders  5 Brady Anderson 12 Ellis Burks 24 Dwight Evans 39 Mike Greenwell 55 Randy Kutcher 18 Carlos Quintana 14 Jim Rice 16 Kevin Romine Other batters 30 Sam Horn Manager  2 John McNamara 35 Joe Morgan Coaches 37 Al Bumbry (First Base) 34 Bill Fischer (Pitching) 33 Walt Hriniak (Hitting) 32 Jerry McNertney (Bullpen) 35 Joe Morgan (Third Base) 36 Rac Slider (Bullpen, Third Base) Game log Past games legend Red Sox Win (#bfb) Red Sox Loss (#fbb) Game postponed (#bbb) All-Star Game (#bbcaff) Clinched Division (#039) Bold denotes a Red Sox pitcher background:#C60C30;color:#fff; 1988 Regular Season Game Log (89–73) (Home: 53–28; Road: 36–45) y background:#024;color:#fff; April (14–6) (Home: 8–4; Road: 6–2) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record Streak |-bgcolor=#fbb | 1 || April 4 || Tigers || 3–5 (10) || Morris (1–0) || Smith (0–1) || Henneman (1) || 34,781 || 0–1 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 2 || April 6 || Tigers || 6–5 || Lamp (1–0) || Hernández (0–1) || Smith (1) || 16,965 || 1–1 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 3 || April 7 || Tigers || 6–11 || Tanana (1–0) || Ellsworth (0–1) || || 13,807 || 1–2 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 4 || April 8 || @ Rangers || 4–0 || Boyd (1–0) || Jeffcoat (0–1) || || 18,470 || 2–2 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 5 || April 9 || @ Rangers || 2–1 || Clemens (1–0) || Hough (1–1) || Smith (2) || 27,527 || 3–2 || W2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 6 || April 10 || @ Rangers || 1–4 || Kilgus (1–0) || Sellers (0–1) || Williams (2) || 14,024 || 3–3 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bbb | — || April 11 || Brewers || colspan=7| Postponed (Cold); Makeup: July 29 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 7 || April 12 || Brewers || 3–1 || Hurst (1–0) || Bosio (1–1) || Smith (3) || 12,045 || 4–3 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 8 || April 13 || Brewers || 6–3 || Boyd (2–0) || Nieves (0–2) || Smith (4) || 14,114 || 5–3 || W2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 9 || April 14 || Brewers || 2–0 || Clemens (2–0) || Wegman (0–2) || || 15,693 || 6–3 || W3 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 10 || April 15 || Rangers || 2–3 (10) || Hough (2–1) || Gardner (0–1) || || 12,369 || 6–4 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 11 || April 16 || Rangers || 0–2 || Kilgus (2–0) || Ellsworth (0–2) || Williams (4) || 25,936 || 6–5 || L2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 12 || April 17 || Rangers || 15–2 || Hurst (2–0) || Jeffcoat (0–2) || || 32,243 || 7–5 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 13 || April 18 || Rangers || 4–3 || Smith (1–1) || Williams (0–1) || || 33,976 || 8–5 || W2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 14 || April 19 || @ Tigers || 7–3 || Clemens (3–0) || Morris (2–2) || || 11,920 || 9–5 || W3 |-bgcolor=#bbb | — || April 20 || @ Tigers || colspan=7| Postponed (Rain); Makeup: August 5 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 15 || April 21 || @ Tigers || 12–3 || Ellsworth (1–2) || Robinson (1–2) || || 13,862 || 10–5 || W4 |-bgcolor=#bbb | — || April 22 || @ Brewers || colspan=7| Postponed (Rain); Makeup: April 25 |-bgcolor=#bbb | — || April 23 || @ Brewers || colspan=7| Postponed (Rain); Makeup: August 9 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 16 || April 24 || @ Brewers || 4–0 || Clemens (4–0) || Higuera (2–1) || || 16,379 || 11–5 || W5 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 17 || April 25 || @ Brewers || 5–1 || Hurst (3–0) || Wegman (1–3) || || 11,109 || 12–5 || W6 |-bgcolor=#bbb | — || April 26 || @ White Sox || colspan=7| Postponed (Rain); Makeup: July 8 |-bgcolor=#bbb | — || April 27 || @ White Sox || colspan=7| Postponed (Rain); Makeup: July 9 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 18 || April 28 || @ White Sox || 0–6 || LaPoint (3–1) || Boyd (2–1) || || 8,204 || 12–6 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 19 || April 29 || Twins || 6–5 || Smith (2–1) || Berenguer (3–3) || || 32,022 || 13–6 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 20 || April 30 || Twins || 8–3 || Hurst (4–0) || Lea (0–3) || Gardner (1) || 32,708 || 14–6 || W2 y background:#024;color:#fff; May (11–16) (Home: 6–8; Road: 5–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record Streak |-bgcolor=#fbb | 21 || May 1 || Twins || 0–2 || Viola (3–1) || Sellers (0–2) || || 31,124 || 14–7 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 22 || May 2 || Royals || 0–2 || Bannister (4–1) || Ellsworth (1–3) || Garber (4) || 20,400 || 14–8 || L2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 23 || May 3 || Royals || 3–9 || Saberhagen (4–2) || Boyd (2–2) || || 21,602 || 14–9 || L3 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 24 || May 4 || White Sox || 2–6 || McDowell (2–2) || Clemens (4–1) || || 21,191 || 14–10 || L4 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 25 || May 5 || White Sox || 16–3 || Hurst (5–0) || Horton (3–4) || || 24,135 || 15–10 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 26 || May 6 || @ Twins || 0–5 || Viola (4–1) || Sellers (0–3) || || 29,767 || 15–11 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 27 || May 7 || @ Twins || 2–5 || Blyleven (2–3) || Ellsworth (1–4) || || 33,416 || 15–12 || L2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 28 || May 8 || @ Twins || 10–6 || Boyd (3–2) || Mason (0–1) || || 28,896 || 16–12 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 29 || May 9 || @ Royals || 2–0 || Clemens (5–1) || Gubicza (3–4) || || 24,806 || 17–12 || W2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 30 || May 10 || @ Royals || 2–7 || Bannister (5–2) || Hurst (5–1) || || 21,645 || 17–13 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 31 || May 13 || Mariners || 14–8 || Boyd (4–2) || Campbell (2–5) || Gardner (2) || 29,582 || 18–13 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 32 || May 14 || Mariners || 3–0 || Clemens (6–1) || Bankhead (0–1) || || 33,846 || 19–13 || W2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 33 || May 15 || Mariners || 7–11 || Jackson (1–1) || Smith (2–2) || || 33,109 || 19–14 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 34 || May 16 || Athletics || 0–3 || Davis (4–1) || Sellers (0–4) || Eckersley (14) || 24,642 || 19–15 || L2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 35 || May 17 || Athletics || 7–12 || Ontiveros (2–1) || Ellsworth (1–5) || Honeycutt (4) || 28,407 || 19–16 || L3 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 36 || May 18 || Athletics || 4–1 || Boyd (5–2) || Stewart (8–2) || Smith (5) || 24,683 || 20–16 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 37 || May 20 || Angels || 2–4 (10) || Buice (1–2) || Clemens (6–2) || Harvey (2) || 31,032 || 20–17 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 38 || May 21 || Angels || 8–4 || Hurst (6–1) || Krawczyk (0–1) || Smith (6) || 32,180 || 21–17 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 39 || May 22 || Angels || 12–4 || Stanley (1–0) || Fraser (4–3) || || 32,678 || 22–17 || W2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 40 || May 23 || @ Mariners || 3–14 || Swift (4–1) || Boyd (5–3) || || 15,511 || 22–18 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 41 || May 24 || @ Mariners || 1–14 || Campbell (3–5) || Smithson (0–1) || || 9,473 || 22–19 || L2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 42 || May 25 || @ Mariners || 4–0 || Clemens (7–2) || Langston (4–4) || || 17,968 || 23–19 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 43 || May 27 || @ Athletics || 2–3 || Young (4–2) || Hurst (6–2) || Eckersley (15) || 32,723 || 23–20 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 44 || May 28 || @ Athletics || 5–7 || Honeycutt (1–0) || Lamp (1–1) || Eckersley (16) || 43,177 || 23–21 || L2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 45 || May 29 || @ Athletics || 4–5 || Nelson (3–2) || Sellers (0–5) || Plunk (2) || 43,427 || 23–22 || L3 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 46 || May 30 || @ Angels || 5–2 || Clemens (8–2) || Petry (2–4) || || 46,598 || 24–22 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 47 || May 31 || @ Angels || 4–3 || Smithson (1–1) || Fraser (4–4) || || 24,005 || 25–22 || W2 y background:#024;color:#fff; June (14–12) (Home: 7–6; Road: 7–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record Streak |-bgcolor=#fbb | 48 || June 2 || Blue Jays || 4–5 || Wells (3–2) || Hurst (6–3) || Eichhorn (1) || 32,144 || 25–23 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 49 || June 3 || Blue Jays || 3–6 || Stottlemyre (2–7) || Boyd (5–4) || Henke (10) || 32,292 || 25–24 || L2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 50 || June 4 || Blue Jays || 2–10 || Clancy (3–5) || Clemens (8–3) || Ward (4) || 33,067 || 25–25 || L3 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 51 || June 5 || Blue Jays || 4–12 || Ward (2–0) || Smithson (1–2) || || 33,756 || 25–26 || L4 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 52 || June 6 || @ Yankees || 3–2 || Hurst (7–3) || Allen (2–1) || Smith (7) || 37,244 || 26–26 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 53 || June 7 || @ Yankees || 3–4 || Hudson (5–2) || Boyd (5–5) || Guante (6) || 37,081 || 26–27 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 54 || June 8 || @ Yankees || 4–3 || Clemens (9–3) || John (4–2) || Smith (8) || 42,804 || 27–27 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 55 || June 10 || @ Blue Jays || 0–3 || Stieb (8–3) || Sellers (0–6) || Henke (11) || 35,201 || 27–28 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 56 || June 11 || @ Blue Jays || 3–4 (10) || Ward (3–0) || Lamp (1–2) || || 40,461 || 27–29 || L2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 57 || June 12 || @ Blue Jays || 8–2 || Boyd (6–5) || Cerutti (3–3) || || 40,123 || 28–29 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 58 || June 13 || Yankees || 6–12 || Dotson (7–1) || Clemens (9–4) || Guante (7) || 34,288 || 28–30 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 59 || June 14 || Yankees || 7–3 || Smithson (2–2) || Allen (2–2) || Smith (9) || 33,367 || 29–30 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 60 || June 15 || Yankees || 8–3 || Hurst (8–3) || Leiter (4–3) || || 33,870 || 30–30 || W2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 61 || June 16 || @ Orioles || 4–8 || Ballard (3–3) || Trautwein (0–1) || Williamson (1) || 24,499 || 30–31 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 62 || June 17 || @ Orioles || 2–3 (11) || Schmidt (3–2) || Lamp (1–3) || || 34,340 || 30–32 || L2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 63 || June 18 || @ Orioles || 5–0 || Clemens (10–4) || Bautista (2–6) || || 32,175 || 31–32 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 64 || June 19 || @ Orioles || 15–7 || Gardner (1–1) || Noles (0–2) || || 31,046 || 32–32 || W2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 65 || June 20 || @ Indians || 14–7 || Hurst (9–3) || Swindell (10–5) || || 19,870 || 33–32 || W3 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 66 || June 21 || @ Indians || 10–6 || Stanley (2–0) || Rodriguez (0–1) || Smith (10) || 26,681 || 34–32 || W4 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 67 || June 22 || @ Indians || 1–3 || Farrell (8–4) || Boyd (6–6) || Jones (17) || 18,843 || 34–33 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 68 || June 24 || Orioles || 2–6 || Bautista (3–6) || Clemens (10–5) || || 35,333 || 34–34 || L2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 69 || June 25 || Orioles || 10–3 || Stanley (3–0) || Williamson (1–5) || || 34,573 || 35–34 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 70 || June 26 || Orioles || 10–1 || Smithson (3–2) || Peraza (1–3) || || 34,374 || 36–34 || W2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 71 || June 27 || Indians || 9–5 || Lamp (2–3) || Farrell (8–5) || || 33,318 || 37–34 || W3 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 72 || June 28 || Indians || 6–1 || Gardner (2–1) || Bailes (6–7) || || 34,661 || 38–34 || W4 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 73 || June 29 || Indians || 5–1 || Clemens (11–5) || Candiotti (7–7) || Smith (11) || 35,035 || 39–34 || W5 y background:#024;color:#fff; July (21–9) (Home: 15–0; Road: 6–9) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record Streak |-bgcolor=#fbb | 74 || July 1 || @ Royals || 7–8 || Montgomery (1–1) || Ellsworth (1–6) || Farr (6) || 25,970 || 39–35 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 75 || July 2 || @ Royals || 1–3 || Leibrandt (4–10) || Boyd (6–7) || Farr (7) || 37,098 || 39–36 || L2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 76 || July 3 || @ Royals || 2–3 || Montgomery (2–1) || Smith (2–3) || Farr (8) || 36,220 || 39–37 || L3 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 77 || July 4 || @ Royals || 9–2 || Clemens (12–5) || Power (4–2) || || 40,804 || 40–37 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 78 || July 5 || @ Twins || 4–6 || Berenguer (8–3) || Smith (2–4) || Reardon (23) || 44,091 || 40–38 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 79 || July 6 || @ Twins || 1–8 || Viola (14–2) || Hurst (9–4) || || 41,027 || 40–39 || L2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 80 || July 7 || @ Twins || 4–3 || Boyd (7–7) || Lea (5–4) || Stanley (1) || 32,724 || 41–39 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 81 || July 8 || @ White Sox || 5–6 || John Davis (2–2) || Smithson (3–3) || Thigpen (16) || – || 41–40 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 82 || July 8 || @ White Sox || 10–7 || Lamp (3–3) || Long (3–4) || || 18,963 || 42–40 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 83 || July 9 || @ White Sox || 7–8 || Pérez (8–5) || Bolton (0–1) || Thigpen (17) || – || 42–41 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 84 || July 9 || @ White Sox || 8–2 (10) || Smith (3–4) || Horton (4–7) || || 23,699 || 43–41 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 85 || July 10 || @ White Sox || 1–4 || LaPoint (7–9) || Curry (0–1) || Thigpen (18) || 15,163 || 43–42 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bbcaff | ASG || July 12 || AL @ NL || 2–1 || Viola (1–0) || Gooden (0–1) || Eckersley (1) || 39,071 || — || N/A |-bgcolor=#bbb | — || July 14 || Royals || colspan=7| Postponed (Rain); Makeup: July 15 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 86 || July 15 || Royals || 3–1 || Clemens (13–5) || Saberhagen (10–8) || || – || 44–42 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 87 || July 15 || Royals || 7–4 || Smithson (4–3) || Leibrandt (5–11) || Smith (12) || 35,412 || 45–42 || W2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 88 || July 16 || Royals || 7–6 || Smith (4–4) || Farr (2–2) || || 34,466 || 46–42 || W3 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 89 || July 17 || Royals || 10–8 || Gardner (3–1) || Power (4–4) || || 34,181 || 47–42 || W4 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 90 || July 18 || Twins || 6–5 || Lamp (4–3) || Blyleven (7–9) || Smith (13) || 33,397 || 48–42 || W5 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 91 || July 19 || Twins || 5–0 || Smithson (5–3) || Anderson (6–7) || || 32,036 || 49–42 || W6 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 92 || July 20 || Twins || 9–7 (10) || Bolton (1–1) || Atherton (5–5) || || 35,313 || 50–42 || W7 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 93 || July 21 || White Sox || 6–1 || Boyd (8–7) || McDowell (4–8) || Stanley (2) || 32,049 || 51–42 || W8 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 94 || July 22 || White Sox || 4–3 || Gardner (4–1) || John Davis (2–3) || Smith (14) || 33,477 || 52–42 || W9 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 95 || July 23 || White Sox || 11–5 || Smithson (6–3) || LaPoint (7–11) || || 35,129 || 53–42 || W10 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 96 || July 24 || White Sox || 3–2 || Hurst (10–4) || Long (4–5) || Smith (15) || 33,394 || 54–42 || W11 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 97 || July 25 || @ Rangers || 2–0 || Clemens (14–5) || Hough (9–11) || || 34,175 || 55–42 || W12 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 98 || July 26 || @ Rangers || 8–9 || McMurtry (2–0) || Bolton (1–2) || Williams (14) || 20,456 || 55–43 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 99 || July 27 || @ Rangers || 10–7 || Stanley (4–0) || Williams (1–4) || Smith (16) || 17,639 || 56–43 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 100 || July 29 || Brewers || 6–4 || Hurst (11–4) || Wegman (10–8) || Smith (17) || – || 57–43 || W2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 101 || July 29 || Brewers || 5–4 || Lamp (5–3) || Bosio (6–13) || Stanley (3) || 35,169 || 58–43 || W3 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 102 || July 30 || Brewers || 3–2 || Clemens (15–5) || Higuera (7–7) || || 33,964 || 59–43 || W4 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 103 || July 31 || Brewers || 5–0 || Boddicker (7–12) || August (5–5) || || 33,527 || 60–43 || W5 y background:#024;color:#fff; August (13–16) (Home: 9–5; Road: 4–11) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record Streak |-bgcolor=#bfb | 104 || August 2 || Rangers || 7–2 || Gardner (5–1) || Russell (8–4) || || 35,462 || 61–43 || W6 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 105 || August 3 || Rangers || 5–4 || Lamp (6–3) || Witt (3–7) || Smith (18) || 34,380 || 62–43 || W7 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 106 || August 4 || @ Tigers || 6–11 || Terrell (6–8) || Clemens (15–6) || || 40,980 || 62–44 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 107 || August 5 || @ Tigers || 1–3 || Morris (9–11) || Stanley (4–1) || Henneman (17) || – || 62–45 || L2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 108 || August 5 || @ Tigers || 2–3 || King (2–1) || Boddicker (7–13) || Henneman (18) || 44,334 || 62–46 || L3 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 109 || August 6 || @ Tigers || 2–4 || Alexander (11–6) || Gardner (5–2) || || 44,838 || 62–47 || L4 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 110 || August 7 || @ Tigers || 3–0 (10) || Hurst (12–4) || Robinson (13–5) || || 41,623 || 63–47 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 111 || August 9 || @ Brewers || 2–3 || Crim (5–5) || Clemens (15–7) || || – || 63–48 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 112 || August 9 || @ Brewers || 5–1 || Boddicker (8–13) || Wegman (10–9) || Stanley (4) || 20,816 || 64–48 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 113 || August 10 || @ Brewers || 3–8 || Higuera (8–8) || Smithson (6–4) || || 19.739 || 64–49 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 114 || August 11 || @ Brewers || 0–4 || August (7–5) || Gardner (5–3) || || 32,351 || 64–50 || L2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 115 || August 12 || Tigers || 9–4 || Hurst (13–4) || Alexander (11–7) || Stanley (5) || 34,732 || 65–50 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 116 || August 13 || Tigers || 16–4 || Boddicker (9–13) || Robinson (13–6) || Bolton (1) || 33,601 || 66–50 || W2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 117 || August 14 || Tigers || 6–18 || King (3–1) || Clemens (15–8) || || 33,757 || 66–51 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 118 || August 16 || Mariners || 0–7 || Bankhead (6–7) || Gardner (5–4) || || 33,924 || 66–52 || L2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 119 || August 17 || Mariners || 7–2 || Hurst (14–4) || Swift (6–10) || || 31,548 || 67–52 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 120 || August 18 || Mariners || 1–6 || Langston (9–10) || Boddicker (9–14) || || 33,944 || 67–53 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 121 || August 19 || Athletics || 7–6 || Stanley (5–1) || Stewart (15–11) || || 33,993 || 68–53 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 122 || August 20 || Athletics || 7–5 || Sellers (1–6) || Burns (5–1) || Smith (19) || 34,372 || 69–53 || W2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 123 || August 21 || Athletics || 4–5 || Honeycutt (3–2) || Stanley (5–2) || Eckersley (35) || 33,282 || 69–54 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 124 || August 22 || Angels || 6–2 || Hurst (15–4) || Clark (5–2) || || 33,828 || 70–54 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 125 || August 23 || Angels || 10–2 || Boddicker (10–14) || Finley (7–12) || || 34,313 || 71–54 || W2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 126 || August 24 || Angels || 3–4 || Witt (10–12) || Clemens (15–9) || Harvey (13) || 32,522 || 71–55 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 127 || August 26 || @ Mariners || 5–3 || Boyd (9–7) || Bankhead (7–8) || Smith (20) || 16,109 || 72–55 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 128 || August 27 || @ Mariners || 6–8 || Wilkinson (2–2) || Bolton (1–3) || Schooler (10) || 19,706 || 72–56 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 129 || August 28 || @ Mariners || 7–2 || Hurst (16–4) || Moore (7–14) || || 17,047 || 73–56 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 130 || August 29 || @ Athletics || 1–3 || Welch (15–7) || Boddicker (10–15) || Eckersley (36) || 40,423 || 73–57 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 131 || August 30 || @ Athletics || 0–1 || Stewart (16–11) || Clemens (15–10) || || 35,220 || 73–58 || L2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 132 || August 31 || @ Athletics || 2–7 || Davis (14–4) || Smithson (6–5) || || 37,151 || 73–59 || L3 y background:#024;color:#fff; September (16–12) (Home: 8–5; Road: 8–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record Streak |-bgcolor=#bfb | 133 || September 1 || @ Angels || 4–2 || Gardner (6–4) || Clark (6–3) || Smith (21) || 27,771 || 74–59 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 134 || September 2 || @ Angels || 2–3 || Finley (9–12) || Hurst (16–5) || Harvey (14) || 29,325 || 74–60 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 135 || September 3 || @ Angels || 1–2 || Witt (12–12) || Lamp (6–4) || || 33,376 || 74–61 || L2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 136 || September 4 || @ Angels || 6–5 (10) || Stanley (6–2) || Harvey (6–5) || Smith (22) || 30,224 || 75–61 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 137 || September 5 || @ Orioles || 4–1 || Smithson (7–5) || Schmidt (7–4) || Smith (23) || 19,614 || 76–61 || W2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 138 || September 6 || @ Orioles || 6–1 || Gardner (7–4) || Tibbs (4–13) || || 19,124 || 77–61 || W3 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 139 || September 7 || @ Orioles || 3–4 || Thurmond (1–6) || Stanley (6–3) || || 35,569 || 77–62 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 140 || September 9 || Indians || 7–4 || Boddicker (11–15) || Yett (8–5) || Smith (24) || 33,349 || 78–62 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 141 || September 10 || Indians || 6–0 || Clemens (16–10) || Black (4–4) || || 34,099 || 79–62 || W2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 142 || September 11 || Indians || 2–4 || Candiotti (12–8) || Stanley (6–4) || Jones (32) || 33,154 || 79–63 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 143 || September 12 || Orioles || 6–1 || Hurst (17–5) || Schilling (0–1) || || 32,619 || 80–63 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 144 || September 13 || Orioles || 6–4 || Smithson (8–5) || Harnisch (0–1) || Smith (25) || 32,842 || 81–63 || W2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 145 || September 14 || Orioles || 4–3 || Boddicker (12–15) || Bautista (6–14) || Smith (26) || 32,745 || 82–63 || W3 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 146 || September 15 || Yankees || 3–5 || Rhoden (11–10) || Clemens (16–11) || Righetti (22) || 35,320 || 82–64 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 147 || September 16 || Yankees || 7–4 || Gardner (8–4) || Shields (4–5) || Smith (27) || 35,226 || 83–64 || W1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 148 || September 17 || Yankees || 3–1 || Hurst (18–5) || Hudson (6–6) || || 35,051 || 84–64 || W2 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 149 || September 18 || Yankees || 9–4 || Smithson (9–5) || Guidry (1–3) || Smith (28) || 35,146 || 85–64 || W3 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 150 || September 19 || @ Blue Jays || 4–5 || Clancy (10–13) || Lamp (6–5) || Ward (14) || 28,455 || 85–65 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 151 || September 20 || @ Blue Jays || 13–2 || Clemens (17–11) || Musselman (6–5) || || 30,352 || 86–65 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 152 || September 21 || @ Blue Jays || 0–1 || Flanagan (12–13) || Gardner (8–5) || Ward (15) || 30,344 || 86–66 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 153 || September 23 || @ Yankees || 10–9 || Lamp (7–5) || Mohorcic (4–8) || Smith (29) || 51,511 || 87–66 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 154 || September 24 || @ Yankees || 4–5 || Guetterman (1–1) || Smith (4–5) || || 51,392 || 87–67 || L1 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 155 || September 25 || @ Yankees || 6–0 || Clemens (18–11) || Rhoden (12–11) || || 54,774 || 88–67 || W1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 156 || September 26 || Blue Jays || 1–11 || Musselman (7–5) || Gardner (8–6) || || 33,953 || 88–68 || L1 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 157 || September 27 || Blue Jays || 9–15 || Flanagan (13–13) || Smithson (9–6) || || 34,442 || 88–69 || L2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 158 || September 28 || Blue Jays || 0–1 || Key (12–5) || Hurst (18–6) || || 34,873 || 88–70 || L3 |-bgcolor=#bfb | 159 || September 29 || @ Indians || 12–0 || Boddicker (13–15) || Nichols (1–7) || || 5,879 || 89–70 || W1 |-bgcolor=#039 | 160 || September 30 || @ Indians || 2–4 Though the Red Sox lost, they clinched the division title when the Milwaukee Brewers lost 7–1 to the Oakland Athletics.Associated Press Red Sox Back Into AL East Championship Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-01-sp-4164-story.html 1988-10-01 2025-06-05 || Yett (9–6) || Clemens (18–12) || Jones (36) || 15,497 || 89–71 || L1 y background:#024;color:#fff; October (0–2) (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–2) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record Streak |-bgcolor=#fbb | 161 || October 1 || @ Indians || 0–1 || Farrell (14–10) || Sellers (1–7) || Jones (37) || 14,972 || 89–72 || L2 |-bgcolor=#fbb | 162 || October 2 || @ Indians || 5–6 || Candiotti (14–8) || Lamp (7–6) || Black (1) || 10,456 || 89–73 || L3 Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C Rich Gedman 95 299 69 .231 9 39 1B Todd Benzinger 120 405 103 .254 13 70 2B Marty Barrett 150 612 173 .283 1 65 3B Wade Boggs 155 584 214 .366 5 58 SS Jody Reed 109 338 99 .293 1 28 LF Mike Greenwell 158 590 192 .325 22 119 CF Ellis Burks 144 540 159 .294 18 92 RF Dwight Evans 149 559 164 .293 21 111 DH Jim Rice 135 485 128 .264 15 72 Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI Rick Cerone 84 264 71 .269 3 27 Spike Owen 89 257 64 .249 5 18 Larry Parrish 52 158 41 .259 7 26 Brady Anderson 41 148 34 .230 0 12 Kevin Romine 57 78 15 .192 1 6 Ed Romero 31 75 18 .240 0 5 Sam Horn 24 61 9 .148 2 8 Pat Dodson Pat Dodson (baseball) 17 45 8 .178 1 1 John Marzano 10 29 4 .138 0 1 Randy Kutcher 19 12 2 .167 0 0 Carlos Quintana Carlos Quintana (baseball) 5 6 2 .333 0 2 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Roger Clemens 35 264.0 18 12 2.93 291 Bruce Hurst 33 216.2 18 6 3.66 166 Oil Can Boyd 23 129.2 9 7 5.34 71 Mike Boddicker 15 89.0 7 3 2.63 56 Steve Ellsworth 8 36.0 1 6 6.75 16 Steve Curry 3 11.0 0 1 8.18 4 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Wes Gardner 36 149.2 8 6 3.50 106 Mike Smithson 31 126.2 9 6 5.97 73 Jeff Sellers 18 85.2 1 7 4.83 70 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Lee Smith 64 4 5 29 2.80 96 Bob Stanley 57 6 4 5 3.19 57 Dennis Lamp 46 7 6 0 3.48 49 Tom Bolton 28 1 3 1 4.75 21 John Trautwein 9 0 1 0 9.00 8 Zach Crouch 3 0 0 0 6.75 0 Mike Rochford 2 0 0 0 0.00 1 Rob Woodward 1 0 0 0 13.50 0 ALCS 1988 American League Championship Series Game 1 Team123456789RHEOakland000100010260Boston000000100160W: Rick Honeycutt (1–0)   L: Bruce Hurst (0–1)  S: Dennis Eckersley (1)HR: OAK – José Canseco (1) Game 2 Team123456789RHEOakland0000003014101Boston000002100341W: Gene Nelson (1–0)   L: Lee Smith (0–1)  S: Dennis Eckersley (2)HR: OAK – José Canseco (2)   BOS – Rich Gedman (1) Game 3 Team123456789RHEBoston3200001006120Oakland04201012X10151W: Gene Nelson (2–0)   L: Mike Boddicker (0–1)  S: Dennis Eckersley (3)HR: OAK – Mark McGwire (1)  Carney Lansford (1)  Ron Hassey (1)  Dave Henderson (1)  BOS – Mike Greenwell (1) Game 4 Team123456789RHEBoston000001000140Oakland10100002X4101W: Dave Stewart (1–0)   L: Bruce Hurst (0–2)  S: Dennis Eckersley (4)HR: OAK – José Canseco (3) Awards and honors Awards Wade Boggs, Silver Slugger Award (3B) Roger Clemens, AL Pitcher of the Month (July) Mike Greenwell, Silver Slugger Award (OF), AL Player of the Month (June) Bruce Hurst, AL Pitcher of the Month (September) Accomplishments Wade Boggs, American League Batting Champion, (.366) Wade Boggs, American League Leader, Runs (128) Wade Boggs, American League Leader, Doubles (45) Wade Boggs, American League Leader, Walks (125) Wade Boggs, Major League Baseball Leader, On-base percentage (.476) Roger Clemens, American League Leader, Complete Games (14) Roger Clemens, American League Leader, Shutouts (8) All-Star Game Wade Boggs, third base, starter Roger Clemens, pitcher, reserve Mike Greenwell, outfield, reserve Farm system Minor League Baseball The Lynchburg Red Sox replaced the Greensboro Hornets as a Class A affiliate. The Arizona League Red Sox/Mariners (a cooperative team) were added as a Rookie League affiliate. AAA Pawtucket Red Sox International League Ed Nottle AA New Britain Red Sox Eastern League Dave Holt A Lynchburg Red Sox Carolina League Dick Berardino A Winter Haven Red Sox Florida State League Doug Camilli A-Short Season Elmira Pioneers New York–Penn League Bill Limoncelli Rookie AZL Mariners/Red Sox Arizona League Mike Verdi and Myron Pines Arizona League team affiliation shared with the Seattle Marinershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=10306c09 1988 AZL Red Sox/Mariners Baseball-Reference.com March 14, 2021 Source:Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007https://archive.org/details/bostonredsoxmedi1988bost/page/122/mode/2up Boston Red Sox Media Guide 1988 123 March 14, 2021 Wayback Machine Notes References 30em External links 1988 Boston Red Sox team page at Baseball Reference 1988 Boston Red Sox season at baseball-almanac.com 1988 ALCS Official Souvenir Program Category:Boston Red Sox seasons Category:American League East champion seasons Boston Red Sox Boston Red Sox Red Sox