1978 Boston Red Sox season

Major League Baseball season March 2026 November 2013 Boston Red Sox 1978 American League East Fenway Park Boston, Massachusetts 99–64 (.607) 2nd Buddy LeRoux, Haywood Sullivan, Jean Yawkey Jean Yawkey Haywood Sullivan Don Zimmer WSBK-TV, Ch. 38(Dick Stockton, Ken Harrelson) WITS-AM 1510(Ned Martin, Jim Woods) bos BOS The 1978 Boston Red Sox season was the 78th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. After 162 regular-season games, the Red Sox and the New York Yankees finished tied atop the American League East division, with identical 99–63 records. The teams then played a tie-breaker game, which was won by New York, 5–4.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/B10020BOS1978.htm New York Yankees 5, Boston Red Sox 4 October 2, 1978 Retrosheet Thus, the Red Sox finished their season with a record of 99 wins and 64 losses, one game behind the Yankees, who went on to win the 1978 World Series. Offseason November 23, 1977: Mike Torrez was signed as a free agent by the Boston Red Sox.Mike Torrez page at Baseball Reference December 8, 1977: Don Aase and cash were traded by the Red Sox to the California Angels for Jerry Remy.Don Aase page at Baseball Reference December 14, 1977: Ferguson Jenkins was traded by the Red Sox to the Texas Rangers for John Poloni and cash.https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/fergie-jenkins-traded-to-rangers Red Sox trade future Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins to Rangers December 27, 1977: Dick Drago was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox.Dick Drago page at Baseball Reference March 28, 1978: Denny Doyle was released by the Red Sox.Denny Doyle page at Baseball Reference March 30, 1978: Rick Wise, Mike Paxton, Ted Cox, and Bo Díaz were traded by the Red Sox to the Cleveland Indians for Dennis Eckersley and Fred Kendall.Dennis Eckersley page at Baseball Reference Regular season +Record by monthhttps://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/TBOS01978.htm The 1978 Boston Red Sox Retrosheet October 10, 2020Month Record Cumulative AL East Ref. Won Lost Won Lost Position GB April 11 9 11 9 2nd 3 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/04301978.htm Events of Sunday, April 30, 1978 May 23 7 34 16 1st +3 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/05311978.htm Events of Wednesday, May 31, 1978 June 18 7 52 23 1st +8 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/06301978.htm Events of Friday, June 30, 1978 July 13 15 65 38 1st +5 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/07311978.htm Events of Monday, July 31, 1978 August 19 10 84 48 1st +6 1 2 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/08311978.htm Events of Thursday, August 31, 1978 September 14 15 98 63 2nd 1 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/09301978.htm Events of Saturday, September 30, 1978 October 1 1 99 64 2nd 1 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/10021978.htm Events of Monday, October 2, 1978 The Red Sox played 163 games, as a tie-breaker game was needed to determine the winner of the AL East. The "Boston Massacre" For several days in July, the Red Sox were 14 games ahead of the rival New York Yankees; at the end of play on July 19, Boston was 62–28 and New York was in fourth place at 48–42.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/07191978.htm Standings At Close of Play of July 19, 1978 Retrosheet October 11, 2020 However, the Yankees worked their way back. At the end of play on September 6, the Yankees had reduced the 14-game deficit to only four games,https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/09061978.htm Standings At Close of Play of September 6, 1978 Retrosheet October 11, 2020 just in time for a four-game series at Fenway Park in Boston. The Yankees won all four games in the series, by a combined score of 42–9,https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/VNYA01978.htm The 1978 New York Yankees Regular Season Game Log Retrosheet October 11, 2020 leaving the teams tied with identical 86–56 records at the end of play on September 10.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/09101978.htm Standings At Close of Play of September 10, 1978 Retrosheet October 11, 2020 The series became known as the "Boston Massacre",https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60896024/yankees-completed-boston-massacre/ Yankees Completed 'Boston Massacre' AP The Town Talk Alexandria, Louisiana A-11 September 11, 1978 October 11, 2020 newspapers.com named after the confrontation with British soldiers on March 5, 1770. Tie-breaker game The Yankees held a one-game lead over the Red Sox before the final day of the regular-season schedule. With a Red Sox win over the Toronto Blue Jays, and a Yankee loss to the Cleveland Indians, the two teams finished the season in a tie for the AL East division title, both with records of 99–63.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/10011978.htm Events of Sunday, October 1, 1978 Retrosheet October 11, 2020 The next day, in a tie-breaker game played at Fenway Park, the Yankees beat the Red Sox, 5–4, with the help of a memorable home run by Bucky Dent.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/B10020BOS1978.htm New York Yankees 5, Boston Red Sox 4 October 2, 1978 Retrosheet October 11, 2020 1978 American League East tie-breaker game The Yankees went on to win the World Series in six games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dent went on to become an object of hatred for Red Sox fans. Ironically, 12 years later, in 1990, the Yankees fired Dent as their manager during a series at Fenway Park.Dent Dumped by Yankees June 7, 1990 Nick Cafardo Nick Cafardo The Boston Globe 37His Back Was Against the Wall June 7, 1990 Dan Shaughnessy The Boston Globe 37 Dan Shaughnessy Season standings Boston Red Sox Record vs. opponents BOS Notable transactions May 20, 1978: Bob Ojeda was signed as an amateur free agent by the Red Sox.Bob Ojeda page at Baseball Reference Opening Day lineup   2 Jerry Remy 2B  7 Rick Burleson SS14 Jim Rice DH  8 Carl Yastrzemski     LF27 Carlton Fisk C19 Fred Lynn CF15 George Scott 1B24 Dwight Evans RF  4 Butch Hobson 3B 21 Mike Torrez P Source:https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/B04070CHA1978.htm Chicago White Sox 6, Boston Red Sox 5 April 7, 1978 Retrosheet October 11, 2020 Roster 1978 Boston Red Sox Roster Pitchers 16 Tom Burgmeier 22 Bill Campbell 26 Reggie Cleveland 41 Dick Drago 43 Dennis Eckersley 31 Andy Hassler 26 John LaRose 37 Bill Lee 28 Allen Ripley 47 Bobby Sprowl 46 Bob Stanley 23 Luis Tiant 21 Mike Torrez 45 Jim Wright Catchers 27 Carlton Fisk 10 Bob Montgomery Infielders 30 Bob Bailey  3 Jack Brohamer  7 Rick Burleson 17 Frank Duffy  4 Butch Hobson 18 Fred Kendall  2 Jerry Remy 15 George Scott Outfielders 29 Sam Bowen  1 Bernie Carbo 24 Dwight Evans 38 Garry Hancock 19 Fred Lynn 14 Jim Rice  8 Carl Yastrzemski Manager 34 Don Zimmer Coaches 33 Walt Hriniak (Bullpen) 32 Al Jackson (Pitching) 35 Johnny Pesky (First base) 36 Eddie Yost (Third base) Game log background:#BD3039; border: 3px solid #0D2B56; color:#fff; 1978 Boston Red Sox Season Game Log: 99–64 (Home: 59–23; Away: 40–41) y background:#0D2B56; border: 4px solid #BD3039; color:#fff; April: 11–9 (Home: 8–2; Away: 3–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Stadium Attendance Record |-style=background:#fbb | 1 || April 7 || @ White Sox || 5–6 || LaGrow (1–0) || Drago (0–1) || || Comiskey Park || 50,754 || 0–1 |-style=background:#fbb | 2 || April 8 || @ White Sox || 5–6 || Torrealba (1–0) || Campbell (0–1) || LaGrow (1) || Comiskey Park || 11,832 || 0–2 |-style=background:#bfb | 3 || April 9 || @ White Sox || 5–0 || Lee (1–0) || Wood (0–1) || || Comiskey Park || 30,794 || 1–2 |-style=background:#fbb | 4 || April 10 || @ Indians || 4–5 || Kern (1–0) || Cleveland (0–1) || || Cleveland Stadium || 4,177 || 1–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 5 || April 12 || @ Indians || 6–3 || Torrez (1–0) || Garland (1–1) || Drago (1) || Cleveland Stadium || 6,234 || 2–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 6 || April 14 || Rangers || 5–4 (10) || Drago (1–1) || Barker (0–1) || || Fenway Park || 34,747 || 3–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 7 || April 15 || Rangers || 12–4 || Lee (2–0) || D. Ellis (1–1) || || Fenway Park || 18,624 || 4–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 8 || April 16 || Rangers || 8–6 || Stanley (1–0) || Umbarger (0–1) || Burgmeier (1) || Fenway Park || 22,168 || 5–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 9 || April 17 || Brewers || 9–2 || Torrez (2–0) || Stein (0–1) || || Fenway Park || 26,075 || 6–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 10 || April 18 || Brewers || 7–6 || Tiant (1–0) || Rodríguez (0–1) || || Fenway Park || 18,928 || 7–3 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || April 20 || Brewers || colspan=7| Postponed (rain); Makeup: August 12 |-style=background:#bfb | 11 || April 20 || Brewers || 10–4 || Lee (3–0) || Haas (2–2) || || Fenway Park || 16,238 || 8–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 12 || April 21 || Indians || 9–7 || Drago (2–1) || Kern (1–1) || || Fenway Park || 25,401 || 9–3 |-style=background:#fbb | 13 || April 22 || Indians || 4–13 || Wise (1–2) || Ripley (0–1) || || Fenway Park || 36,005 || 9–4 |-style=background:#bfb | 14 || April 23 || Indians || 6–3 || Campbell (1–1) || Kinney (0–1) || || Fenway Park || – || 10–4 |-style=background:#fbb | 15 || April 23 || Indians || 7–10 (11) || Kern (2–1) || Stanley (1–1) || Kinney (1) || Fenway Park || 36,246 || 10–5 |-style=background:#bfb | 16 || April 25 || @ Brewers || 4–3 || Lee (4–0) || Augustine (3–2) || Drago (2) || County Stadium || 9,051 || 11–5 |-style=background:#fbb | 17 || April 26 || @ Brewers || 4–6 || Caldwell (1–0) || Torrez (2–1) || McClure (2) || County Stadium || 8,724 || 11–6 |-style=background:#fbb | 18 || April 28 || @ Rangers || 4–5 (11) || Cleveland (1–2) || Campbell (1–2) || || Arlington Stadium || 29,731 || 11–7 |-style=background:#fbb | 19 || April 29 || @ Rangers || 1–4 || D. Ellis (2–1) || Eckersley (0–1) || || Arlington Stadium || 34,101 || 11–8 |-style=background:#fbb | 20 || April 30 || @ Rangers || 1–2 || Jenkins (1–2) || Campbell (1–3) || || Arlington Stadium || 22,554 || 11–9 y background:#0D2B56; border: 4px solid #BD3039; color:#fff; May: 23–7 (Home: 14–2; Away: 9–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Stadium Attendance Record |-style=background:#bfb | 21 || May 1 || Orioles || 9–6 || Torrez (3–1) || Briles (1–2) || Stanley (1) || Fenway Park || 18,710 || 12–9 |-style=background:#fbb | 22 || May 2 || Orioles || 1–3 || D. Martínez (3–1) || Ripley (0–2) || || Fenway Park || 19,930 || 12–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 23 || May 3 || Twins || 11–9 || Burgmeier (1–0) || D. Johnson (0–2) || Stanley (2) || Fenway Park || 16,403 || 13–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 24 || May 4 || Twins || 8–1 || Eckersley (1–1) || Thormodsgard (1–3) || || Fenway Park || 15,784 || 14–10 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || May 5 || White Sox || colspan=7| Postponed (rain); Makeup: May 6 |-style=background:#bfb | 25 || May 6 || White Sox || 6–4 (10) || Stanley (2–1) || Willoughby (0–2) || || Fenway Park || – || 15–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 26 || May 6 || White Sox || 3–0 || Wright (1–0) || Barrios (0–2) || || Fenway Park || 32,238 || 16–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 27 || May 7 || White Sox || 5–0 || Torrez (4–1) || Torrealba (1–4) || || Fenway Park || 30,921 || 17–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 28 || May 8 || Royals || 8–4 || Stanley (3–1) || Leonard (3–5) || || Fenway Park || 25,891 || 18–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 29 || May 9 || Royals || 4–3 || Eckersley (2–1) || Colborn (1–2) || || Fenway Park || 22,369 || 19–10 |-style=background:#fbb | 30 || May 10 || @ Orioles || 2–3 || Flanagan (3–3) || Burgmeier (1–1) || || Memorial Stadium || 10,023 || 19–11 |-style=background:#bfb | 31 || May 11 || @ Orioles || 5–4 || Lee (5–0) || D. Martínez (3–2) || Drago (3) || Memorial Stadium || 14,950 || 20–11 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || May 12 || @ Twins || colspan=7| Postponed (rain); Makeup: July 24 |-style=background:#bfb | 32 || May 13 || @ Twins || 4–2 || Torrez (5–1) || Zahn (2–2) || Burgmeier (2) || Metropolitan Stadium || 7,914 || 21–11 |-style=background:#bfb | 33 || May 14 || @ Twins || 6–2 || Eckersley (3–1) || Thormodsgard (1–5) || Burgmeier (3) || Metropolitan Stadium || 7,008 || 22–11 |-style=background:#fbb | 34 || May 15 || @ Royals || 1–3 || Gale (3–0) || Ripley (0–3) || || Royals Stadium || 34,166 || 22–12 |-style=background:#bfb | 35 || May 16 || @ Royals || 3–2 || Lee (6–0) || Splittorff (4–3) || || Royals Stadium || 23,474 || 23–12 |-style=background:#fbb | 36 || May 19 || @ Tigers || 5–7 || Sykes (3–0) || Torrez (5–2) || Hiller (4) || Tiger Stadium || 48,817 || 23–13 |-style=background:#bfb | 37 || May 20 || @ Tigers || 6–5 || Campbell (2–3) || Foucault (1–4) || || Tiger Stadium || 30,856 || 24–13 |-style=background:#fbb | 38 || May 21 || @ Tigers || 1–2 || Wilcox (3–1) || Lee (6–1) || || Tiger Stadium || – || 24–14 |-style=background:#bfb | 39 || May 21 || @ Tigers || 9–3 || Tiant (2–0) || Rozema (2–2) || || Tiger Stadium || 52,368 || 25–14 |-style=background:#bfb | 40 || May 22 || @ Blue Jays || 5–4 || Ripley (1–3) || Clancy (2–4) || Stanley (3) || Exhibition Stadium || 25,054 || 26–14 |-style=background:#fbb | 41 || May 23 || @ Blue Jays || 1–2 (12) || Jefferson (3–5) || Campbell (2–4) || || Exhibition Stadium || 14,578 || 26–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 42 || May 24 || @ Blue Jays || 8–2 || Torrez (6–2) || Lemanczyk (1–8) || || Exhibition Stadium || 28,825 || 27–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 43 || May 25 || @ Blue Jays || 9–5 || Eckersley (4–1) || Underwood (1–5) || Drago (4) || Exhibition Stadium || 17,197 || 28–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 44 || May 26 || Tigers || 6–3 || Lee (7–1) || Wilcox (3–2) || || Fenway Park || 33,431 || 29–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 45 || May 27 || Tigers || 1–0 || Tiant (3–0) || Morris (0–1) || || Fenway Park || 33,335 || 30–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 46 || May 28 || Tigers || 4–3 (10) || Stanley (4–1) || Hiller (4–3) || || Fenway Park || – || 31–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 47 || May 28 || Tigers || 4–3 || Wright (2–0) || Slaton (4–2) || Drago (5) || Fenway Park || 34,672 || 32–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 48 || May 29 || Blue Jays || 5–4 || Torrez (7–2) || Underwood (1–6) || || Fenway Park || 25,935 || 33–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 49 || May 30 || Blue Jays || 4–0 || Eckersley (5–1) || Garvin (2–4) || || Fenway Park || 25,853 || 34–15 |-style=background:#fbb | 50 || May 31 || Blue Jays || 2–6 || Clancy (4–4) || Lee (7–2) || || Fenway Park || 27,945 || 34–16 y background:#0D2B56; border: 4px solid #BD3039; color:#fff; June: 18–7 (Home: 11–2; Away: 7–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Stadium Attendance Record |-style=background:#bfb | 51 || June 2 || @ Angels || 6–1 || Tiant (4–0) || Ryan (3–5) || Drago (6) || Anaheim Stadium || 31,324 || 35–16 |-style=background:#bfb | 52 || June 3 || @ Angels || 5–4 || Torrez (8–2) || Hartzell (1–4) || Campbell (1) || Anaheim Stadium || 34,228 || 36–16 |-style=background:#fbb | 53 || June 4 || @ Angels || 2–4 || Tanana (9–2) || Eckersley (5–2) || LaRoche (7) || Anaheim Stadium || 29,911 || 36–17 |-style=background:#fbb | 54 || June 5 || @ Athletics || 7–9 || Broberg (6–4) || Ripley (1–4) || Sosa (8) || Oakland Coliseum || 36,463 || 36–18 |-style=background:#fbb | 55 || June 6 || @ Athletics || 1–7 || Renko (1–1) || Lee (7–3) || || Oakland Coliseum || 7,914 || 36–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 56 || June 9 || @ Mariners || 3–2 || Tiant (5–0) || Mitchell (2–6) || || Kingdome || 11,677 || 37–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 57 || June 10 || @ Mariners || 13–1 || Torrez (9–2) || Pole (4–7) || || Kingdome || 15,910 || 38–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 58 || June 11 || @ Mariners || 5–3 || Eckersley (6–2) || McLaughlin (0–2) || Campbell (2) || Kingdome || 18,626 || 39–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 59 || June 12 || Angels || 10–9 || Campbell (3–4) || LaRoche (5–3) || || Fenway Park || 31,652 || 40–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 60 || June 13 || Angels || 5–0 || Wright (3–0) || Knapp (6–5) || || Fenway Park || 26,539 || 41–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 61 || June 14 || Athletics || 9–0 || Tiant (6–0) || Broberg (6–6) || || Fenway Park || 29,690 || 42–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 62 || June 15 || Athletics || 7–3 || Torrez (10–2) || Lacey (5–3) || || Fenway Park || 32,281 || 43–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 63 || June 16 || Mariners || 6–3 || Campbell (4–4) || Pole (4–8) || || Fenway Park || 31,519 || 44–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 64 || June 17 || Mariners || 5–4 || Stanley (5–1) || Montague (0–3) || || Fenway Park || 32,551 || 45–19 |-style=background:#fbb | 65 || June 18 || Mariners || 2–3 || Abbott (2–4) || Wright (3–1) || || Fenway Park || 28,961 || 45–20 |-style=background:#bfb | 66 || June 19 || Yankees || 10–4 || Burgmeier (2–1) || Gossage (3–7) || || Fenway Park || 33,163 || 46–20 |-style=background:#fbb | 67 || June 20 || Yankees || 4–10 || Gullett (2–0) || Torrez (10–3) || || Fenway Park || 32,643 || 46–21 |-style=background:#bfb | 68 || June 21 || Yankees || 9–2 || Eckersley (7–2) || Beattie (2–3) || || Fenway Park || 32,459 || 47–21 |-style=background:#bfb | 69 || June 23 || Orioles || 5–2 || Lee (8–3) || Palmer (10–5) || || Fenway Park || 34,582 || 48–21 |-style=background:#bfb | 70 || June 24 || Orioles || 8–3 || Tiant (7–0) || McGregor (8–5) || || Fenway Park || 32,213 || 49–21 |-style=background:#bfb | 71 || June 25 || Orioles || 4–1 || Torrez (11–3) || D. Martínez (6–5) || || Fenway Park || 33,526 || 50–21 |-style=background:#bfb | 72 || June 26 || @ Yankees || 4–1 || Eckersley (8–2) || Messersmith (0–2) || Campbell (3) || Yankee Stadium || 52,124 || 51–21 |-style=background:#fbb | 73 || June 27 || @ Yankees || 4–6 (14) || Lyle (6–1) || Drago (2–2) || || Yankee Stadium || 55,132 || 51–22 |-style=background:#bfb | 74 || June 29 || @ Orioles || 4–3 || Ripley (2–4) || D. Martínez (6–6) || || Memorial Stadium || 28,899 || 52–22 |-style=background:#fbb | 75 || June 30 || @ Orioles || 2–3 (11) || Stanhouse (2–5) || Tiant (7–1) || || Memorial Stadium || 33,034 || 52–23 y background:#0D2B56; border: 4px solid #BD3039; color:#fff; July: 13–15 (Home: 7–4; Away: 6–11) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Stadium Attendance Record |-style=background:#fbb | 76 || July 1 || @ Orioles || 2–3 (11) || Briles (2–4) || Torrez (11–4) || || Memorial Stadium || 38,542 || 52–24 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || July 2 || @ Orioles || colspan=7| Postponed (rain); Makeup: September 6 |-style=background:#bfb | 77 || July 3 || Yankees || 9–5 || Eckersley (9–2) || Figueroa (7–6) || || Fenway Park || 34,722 || 53–24 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || July 4 || Yankees || colspan=7| Postponed (rain); Makeup: September 7 |-style=background:#bfb | 78 || July 5 || @ White Sox || 9–2 || Lee (9–3) || Stone (6–6) || Stanley (4) || Comiskey Park || 26,434 || 54–24 |-style=background:#bfb | 79 || July 6 || @ White Sox || 7–6 (10) || Campbell (5–4) || Willoughby (1–6) || || Comiskey Park || 29,330 || 55–24 |-style=background:#fbb | 80 || July 7 || @ Indians || 9–10 || Spillner (2–0) || Campbell (5–5) || || Cleveland Stadium || 19,543 || 55–25 |-style=background:#bfb | 81 || July 8 || @ Indians || 12–5 || Eckersley (10–2) || Paxton (6–5) || || Cleveland Stadium || – || 56–25 |-style=background:#bfb | 82 || July 8 || @ Indians || 3–2 || Wright (4–1) || Clyde (4–5) || Stanley (5) || Cleveland Stadium || 41,859 || 57–25 |-style=background:#fbb | 83 || July 9 || @ Indians || 1–7 || Wise (7–11) || Ripley (2–5) || || Cleveland Stadium || 41,394 || 57–26 |-style=background:#bbcaff | ASG || July 11 || All-Star Game || AL 3–7 NL || Sutter (1–0) || Gossage (0–1) || || San Diego Stadium || 51,549 || |-style=background:#fbb | 84 || July 13 || Rangers || 7–12 || D. Ellis (8–4) || Tiant (7–2) || || Fenway Park || 33,995 || 57–27 |-style=background:#fbb | 85 || July 14 || Rangers || 3–4 || Jenkins (9–4) || Torrez (11–5) || Cleveland (9) || Fenway Park || 32,899 || 57–28 |-style=background:#bfb | 86 || July 15 || Twins || 5–4 || Lee (10–3) || Jackson (2–2) || Stanley (6) || Fenway Park || 32,861 || 58–28 |-style=background:#bfb | 87 || July 16 || Twins || 5–3 || Eckersley (11–2) || Harrison (0–1) || Campbell (4) || Fenway Park || – || 59–28 |-style=background:#bfb | 88 || July 16 || Twins || 3–2 || Wright (5–1) || Erickson (9–6) || Stanley (7) || Fenway Park || 35,589 || 60–28 |-style=background:#bfb | 89 || July 17 || Twins || 3–2 (10) || Campbell (6–5) || Marshall (4–7) || || Fenway Park || 33,233 || 61–28 |-style=background:#bfb | 90 || July 19 || @ Brewers || 8–2 || Torrez (12–5) || Sorensen (12–6) || || County Stadium || 45,332 || 62–28 |-style=background:#fbb | 91 || July 20 || @ Brewers || 6–8 || Rodríguez (2–3) || Lee (10–4) || McClure (5) || County Stadium || 35,044 || 62–29 |-style=background:#fbb | 92 || July 21 || @ Royals || 0–9 || Splittorff (11–8) || Eckersley (11–3) || || Royals Stadium || 39,841 || 62–30 |-style=background:#fbb | 93 || July 22 || @ Royals || 5–6 (10) || Hrabosky (4–3) || Drago (2–3) || || Royals Stadium || 37,538 || 62–31 |-style=background:#fbb | 94 || July 23 || @ Royals || 3–7 || Pattin (2–2) || Wright (5–2) || || Royals Stadium || 39,425 || 62–32 |-style=background:#fbb | 95 || July 24 || @ Twins || 4–5 || Jackson (3–3) || Drago (2–4) || Marshall (12) || Metropolitan Stadium || – || 62–33 |-style=background:#bfb | 96 || July 24 || @ Twins || 4–2 || Hassler (2–4) || Zahn (8–9) || Stanley (8) || Metropolitan Stadium || 21,580 || 63–33 |-style=background:#fbb | 97 || July 25 || @ Twins || 2–5 || Erickson (10–6) || Lee (10–5) || Marshall (13) || Metropolitan Stadium || 18,608 || 63–34 |-style=background:#fbb | 98 || July 26 || @ Rangers || 0–2 || Medich (5–5) || Eckersley (11–4) || || Arlington Stadium || 21,671 || 63–35 |-style=background:#fbb | 99 || July 27 || @ Rangers || 1–3 || Matlack (8–8) || Tiant (7–3) || || Arlington Stadium || 29,684 || 63–36 |-style=background:#fbb | 100 || July 28 || Royals || 0–4 || Gale (12–3) || Torrez (12–6) || || Fenway Park || 35,348 || 63–37 |-style=background:#bfb | 101 || July 29 || Royals || 1–0 || Wright (6–2) || Leonard (12–12) || || Fenway Park || 35,098 || 64–37 |-style=background:#fbb | 102 || July 30 || Royals || 1–2 || Splittorff (12–9) || Lee (10–6) || Hrabosky (14) || Fenway Park || 34,626 || 64–38 |-style=background:#bfb | 103 || July 31 || White Sox || 9–2 || Eckersley (12–4) || Kravec (7–10) || || Fenway Park || 28,858 || 65–38 y background:#0D2B56; border: 4px solid #BD3039; color:#fff; August: 19–10 (Home: 11–5; Away: 8–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Stadium Attendance Record |-style=background:#fbb | 104 || August 1 || White Sox || 2–5 || Proly (2–0) || Tiant (7–4) || || Fenway Park || 30,020 || 65–39 |-style=background:#bfb | 105 || August 2 || @ Yankees || 7–5 (17) || Stanley (6–1) || Clay (2–4) || || Yankee Stadium || 52,701 || 66–39 |-style=background:#bfb | 106 || August 3 || @ Yankees || 8–1 (7) || Torrez (13–6) || Beattie (2–6) || || Yankee Stadium || 53,379 || 67–39 |-style=background:#fbb | 107 || August 4 || @ Brewers || 2–6 || Sorensen (13–8) || Lee (10–7) || || County Stadium || 52,562 || 67–40 |-style=background:#bfb | 108 || August 5 || @ Brewers || 8–1 || Eckersley (13–4) || Rodríguez (2–5) || || County Stadium || 52,968 || 68–40 |-style=background:#bfb | 109 || August 6 || @ Brewers || 4–0 || Tiant (8–4) || Travers (7–6) || || County Stadium || 48,444 || 69–40 |-style=background:#bfb | 110 || August 8 || Indians || 9–7 || Stanley (7–1) || Freisleben (1–3) || || Fenway Park || 34,485 || 70–40 |-style=background:#fbb | 111 || August 9 || Indians || 1–5 || Wise (9–14) || Lee (10–8) || Kern (9) || Fenway Park || 33,285 || 70–41 |-style=background:#bfb | 112 || August 10 || Indians || 6–5 (13) || Stanley (8–1) || Spillner (2–1) || || Fenway Park || 33,541 || 71–41 |-style=background:#fbb | 113 || August 11 || Brewers || 5–10 || Rodríguez (3–5) || Tiant (8–5) || || Fenway Park || 35,142 || 71–42 |-style=background:#bfb | 114 || August 12 || Brewers || 3–1 || Wright (7–2) || Travers (7–7) || || Fenway Park || 33,092 || 72–42 |-style=background:#bfb | 115 || August 12 || Brewers || 11–4 || Stanley (9–1) || Caldwell (14–7) || || Fenway Park || 27,030 || 73–42 |-style=background:#bfb | 116 || August 13 || Brewers || 4–3 (10) || Torrez (14–6) || Castro (3–4) || || Fenway Park || 34,460 || 74–42 |-style=background:#fbb | 117 || August 14 || Brewers || 3–4 || Sorensen (14–8) || Lee (10–9) || McClure (7) || Fenway Park || 33,766 || 74–43 |-style=background:#fbb | 118 || August 15 || @ Angels || 2–5 || Tanana (16–7) || Eckersley (13–5) || || Anaheim Stadium || 41,144 || 74–44 |-style=background:#bfb | 119 || August 16 || @ Angels || 4–2 || Tiant (9–5) || Ryan (6–11) || || Anaheim Stadium || 37,535 || 75–44 |-style=background:#bfb | 120 || August 17 || @ Angels || 8–6 || Stanley (10–1) || Griffin (2–4) || || Anaheim Stadium || 30,486 || 76–44 |-style=background:#bfb | 121 || August 18 || @ Athletics || 6–3 || Torrez (15–6) || Renko (6–8) || Drago (7) || Oakland Coliseum || 12,730 || 77–44 |-style=background:#fbb | 122 || August 19 || @ Athletics || 4–8 || Johnson (10–6) || Lee (10–10) || Lacey (5) || Oakland Coliseum || 11,806 || 77–45 |-style=background:#bfb | 123 || August 20 || @ Athletics || 4–2 || Eckersley (14–5) || Keough (7–11) || || Oakland Coliseum || 13,411 || 78–45 |-style=background:#fbb | 124 || August 22 || @ Mariners || 2–5 || Abbott (6–10) || Tiant (9–6) || || Kingdome || 21,486 || 78–46 |-style=background:#fbb | 125 || August 23 || @ Mariners || 3–5 || McLaughlin (2–4) || Torrez (15–7) || Romo (10) || Kingdome || 22,718 || 78–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 126 || August 25 || Angels || 6–0 || Eckersley (15–5) || Aase (8–8) || || Fenway Park || 33,583 || 79–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 127 || August 26 || Angels || 7–1 || Wright (8–2) || Hartzell (5–8) || || Fenway Park || 33,531 || 80–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 128 || August 27 || Angels || 4–3 (12) || Stanley (11–1) || D. Miller (4–1) || || Fenway Park || 34,216 || 81–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 129 || August 28 || Mariners || 10–9 || Stanley (12–1) || Romo (10–6) || || Fenway Park || 24,301 || 82–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 130 || August 29 || Mariners || 10–5 || Drago (3–1) || McLaughlin (2–5) || Burgmeier (4) || Fenway Park || 32,393 || 83–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 131 || August 30 || Blue Jays || 2–1 || Eckersley (16–5) || Kirkwood (3–2) || || Fenway Park || – || 84–47 |-style=background:#fbb | 132 || August 30 || Blue Jays || 6–7 || Cruz (6–1) || Stanley (12–2) || || Fenway Park || 32,825 || 84–48 y background:#0D2B56; border: 4px solid #BD3039; color:#fff; September: 14–15 (Home: 7–7; Away: 7–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Stadium Attendance Record |-style=background:#fbb | 133 || September 1 || Athletics || 1–5 || Keough (8–11) || Tiant (9–7) || || Fenway Park || 30,156 || 84–49 |-style=background:#fbb | 134 || September 2 || Athletics || 3–4 || Langford (7–10) || Torrez (15–8) || Heaverlo (10) || Fenway Park || 33,051 || 84–50 |-style=background:#bfb | 135 || September 3 || Athletics || 11–6 || Stanley (13–2) || Broberg (9–11) || || Fenway Park || 29,029 || 85–50 |-style=background:#fbb | 136 || September 4 || @ Orioles || 3–5 || McGregor (13–12) || Eckersley (16–6) || Stanhouse (20) || Memorial Stadium || 17,967 || 85–51 |-style=background:#fbb | 137 || September 5 || @ Orioles || 1–4 || Palmer (18–12) || Sprowl (0–1) || Stanhouse (21) || Memorial Stadium || 15,644 || 85–52 |-style=background:#bfb | 138 || September 6 || @ Orioles || 2–0 || Tiant (10–7) || D. Martínez (12–11) || || Memorial Stadium || 11,251 || 86–52 |-style=background:#fbb | 139 || September 7 || Yankees || 3–15 || Clay (3–4) || Torrez (15–9) || || Fenway Park || 34,119 || 86–53 |-style=background:#fbb | 140 || September 8 || Yankees || 2–13 || Beattie (4–7) || Wright (8–3) || || Fenway Park || 33,134 || 86–54 |-style=background:#fbb | 141 || September 9 || Yankees || 0–7 || Guidry (21–2) || Eckersley (16–7) || || Fenway Park || 33,611 || 86–55 |-style=background:#fbb | 142 || September 10 || Yankees || 4–7 || Figueroa (16–9) || Sprowl (0–2) || Gossage (23) || Fenway Park || 32,786 || 86–56 |-style=background:#bfb | 143 || September 11 || Orioles || 5–4 || Stanley (14–2) || Kerrigan (3–1) || || Fenway Park || 28,575 || 87–56 |-style=background:#fbb | 144 || September 12 || Orioles || 2–3 || D. Martínez (13–11) || Torrez (15–10) || || Fenway Park || 28,924 || 87–57 |-style=background:#fbb | 145 || September 13 || @ Indians || 1–2 || Clyde (7–10) || Eckersley (16–8) || Kern (12) || Cleveland Stadium || 5,568 || 87–58 |-style=background:#fbb | 146 || September 14 || @ Indians || 3–4 || Paxton (11–9) || Wright (8–4) || Kern (13) || Cleveland Stadium || 4,479 || 87–59 |-style=background:#fbb | 147 || September 15 || @ Yankees || 0–4 || Guidry (22–2) || Tiant (10–8) || || Yankee Stadium || 54,901 || 87–60 |-style=background:#fbb | 148 || September 16 || @ Yankees || 2–3 || Hunter (10–5) || Torrez (15–11) || || Yankee Stadium || 55,091 || 87–61 |-style=background:#bfb | 149 || September 17 || @ Yankees || 7–3 || Eckersley (17–8) || Beattie (5–8) || Stanley (9) || Yankee Stadium || 55,088 || 88–61 |-style=background:#bfb | 150 || September 18 || @ Tigers || 5–4 (11) || Hassler (3–4) || Baker (1–3) || || Tiger Stadium || 13,849 || 89–61 |-style=background:#bfb | 151 || September 19 || @ Tigers || 8–6 || Campbell (7–5) || Morris (3–5) || Hassler (1) || Tiger Stadium || 15,901 || 90–61 |-style=background:#fbb | 152 || September 20 || @ Tigers || 2–12 || Rozema (9–10) || Torrez (15–12) || || Tiger Stadium || 16,689 || 90–62 |-style=background:#bfb | 153 || September 21 || @ Tigers || 5–1 || Eckersley (18–8) || Wilcox (13–11) || || Tiger Stadium || 15,213 || 91–62 |-style=background:#fbb | 154 || September 22 || @ Blue Jays || 4–5 || Murphy (6–9) || Hassler (3–5) || || Exhibition Stadium || 22,172 || 91–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 155 || September 23 || @ Blue Jays || 3–1 || Tiant (11–8) || Jefferson (7–15) || || Exhibition Stadium || 30,059 || 92–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 156 || September 24 || @ Blue Jays || 7–6 (14) || Drago (4–4) || Buskey (0–1) || || Exhibition Stadium || 33,618 || 93–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 157 || September 26 || Tigers || 6–0 || Eckersley (19–8) || Rozema (9–11) || || Fenway Park || 27,078 || 94–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 158 || September 27 || Tigers || 5–2 || Tiant (12–8) || Wilcox (13–12) || Stanley (10) || Fenway Park || 26,035 || 95–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 159 || September 28 || Tigers || 1–0 || Torrez (16–12) || Young (6–7) || || Fenway Park || 26,774 || 96–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 160 || September 29 || Blue Jays || 11–0 || Stanley (15–2) || Clancy (10–12) || || Fenway Park || 29,626 || 97–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 161 || September 30 || Blue Jays || 5–1 || Eckersley (20–8) || Jefferson (7–16) || || Fenway Park || 32,659 || 98–63 y background:#0D2B56; border: 4px solid #BD3039; color:#fff; October: 1–1 (Home: 1–1; Away: 0–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Stadium Attendance Record |-style=background:#bfb | 162 || October 1 || Blue Jays || 5–0 || Tiant (13–8) || Kirkwood (4–5) || || Fenway Park || 29,201 || 99–63 |-style=background:#fbb | 163 || October 2 || Yankees || 4–5 || Guidry (25–3) || Torrez (16–13) || Gossage (27) || Fenway Park || 32,925 || 99–64 Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases = Indicates team leader = Indicates league leader Pos Player G AB R H Avg. HR RBI SB C Carlton Fisk 157 571 94 162 .284 20 88 7 1B George Scott George Scott (first baseman) 120 412 51 96 .233 12 54 1 2B Jerry Remy 148 583 87 162 .278 2 44 30 3B Butch Hobson 147 512 65 128 .250 17 80 1 SS Rick Burleson 145 626 75 155 .248 5 49 8 LF Jim Rice 163 677 121 213 .315 46 139 7 CF Fred Lynn 150 541 75 161 .298 22 82 3 RF Dwight Evans Dwight Evans (baseball) 147 497 75 123 .247 24 63 8 DH Bob Bailey Bob Bailey (baseball) 43 94 12 18 .191 4 9 21978 Boston Red Sox Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases Player G AB R H Avg. HR RBI SB Carl Yastrzemski 144 523 70 145 .277 17 81 4 Jack Brohamer 81 244 34 57 .234 1 25 1 Frank Duffy Frank Duffy (baseball) 64 104 12 27 .260 0 4 1 Garry Hancock 38 80 10 18 .225 0 4 0 Bernie Carbo 17 46 7 12 .261 1 6 1 Fred Kendall 20 41 3 8 .195 0 4 0 Bob Montgomery Bob Montgomery (baseball) 10 29 2 7 .241 0 5 0 Sam Bowen Sam Bowen (baseball) 6 7 3 1 .143 1 1 0 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; CG = Complete games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts Player G CG IP W L ERA BB SO Dennis Eckersley 35 16 268.1 20 8 2.99 71 162 Mike Torrez 36 15 250.0 16 13 3.96 99 120 Luis Tiant 32 12 212.1 13 8 3.31 57 114 Bill Lee Bill Lee (left-handed pitcher) 28 8 177.0 10 10 3.46 59 44 Allen Ripley 15 1 73.0 2 5 5.55 22 26 Bobby Sprowl 3 0 12.2 0 2 6.39 10 10 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA BB SO Jim Wright Jim Wright (1970s pitcher) 24 116.0 8 4 3.57 24 56 Andy Hassler 13 30.0 2 1 3.00 13 23 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 Bob Stanley Bob Stanley (baseball player) 52 15 2 10 2.60 38 Dick Drago 37 4 4 7 3.03 42 Tom Burgmeier 35 2 1 4 4.40 24 Bill Campbell Bill Campbell (baseball) 29 7 5 4 3.91 47 John LaRose 1 0 0 0 22.50 3 Reggie Cleveland 1 0 1 0 0.00 0 AL East tie-breaker game 1978 American League East tie-breaker game October 2, 1978 Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts New York Yankees NYY 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 5 8 0 Boston Red Sox BOS 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 4 11 0 Ron Guidry (25-3) Mike Torrez (16-13) Goose Gossage (27) Bucky Dent, Reggie Jackson Carl Yastrzemski Awards and honors Awards Dwight Evans – Gold Glove Award (OF) Fred Lynn – Gold Glove Award (OF) Jim Rice – American League Most Valuable Player, AL Player of the Month (May, August) Accomplishments Jim Rice, American League leader, Hits (213) Jim Rice, American League leader, Home runs (46) Jim Rice, American League leader, RBIs (139) All-Star Game Rick Burleson, reserve SS (did not attend) Dwight Evans, reserve OF Carlton Fisk, starting C Fred Lynn, reserve OF (started CF) Jerry Remy, reserve 2B Jim Rice, starting LF Carl Yastrzemski, reserve OF (did not attend) Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Pawtucket Red Sox International League Joe Morgan AA Bristol Red Sox Eastern League Tony Torchia A Winston-Salem Red Sox Carolina League Bill Slack A Winter Haven Red Sox Florida State League Rac Slider A-Short Season Elmira Red Sox New York–Penn League Dick Berardino LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Bristol Source:Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007https://archive.org/details/bostonredsoxpres1978bost/page/42/mode/2up Boston Red Sox Press TV Radio Guide 1978 43 March 14, 2021 Wayback Machine References 30em Further reading http://www.thisgreatgame.com/1978-baseball-history.html 1978 The Denting of the Red Sox This Great Game September 27, 2018 July 10, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200710204735/http://www.thisgreatgame.com/1978-baseball-history.html dead https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/09/27/sports-illustrated-film-heroic-ill-fated-1978-red-sox/ SI film finds something heroic about the ill-fated 1978 Red Sox Chad Finn Boston.com September 27, 2018 September 27, 2018 External links Home opener news coverage from WNAC-TV (April 14, 1978) 1978 Boston Red Sox team page at Baseball Reference 1978 Boston Red Sox season at baseball-almanac.com Category:Boston Red Sox seasons Boston Red Sox Boston Red Sox Red Sox