1989 Boston Red Sox

1989 Boston Red Sox / Franchise: Boston Red Sox / BR Team Page

Record: 83-79, Finished 3rd in AL Eastern Division (1989 AL)

Managed by Joe Morgan

Coaches: Dick Berardino, Al Bumbry, Bill Fischer, Richie Hebner and Rac Slider

Ballpark: Fenway Park

History, Comments, Contributions

The 1989 Boston Red Sox were caught between the greatness of the mid-1980s and the doldrums of the 1990s; they were good, but not great; notable, but not stupendous. They were coming off winning a division title in 1988 and would win another one in 1990 (with a quick exit in the ALCS both years), but this year, they finished in third place, six games behind the Toronto Blue Jays and four behind the surprising Baltimore Orioles.

One-year wonder Nick Esasky led the team with 30 home runs and 108 RBI in what would be his only campaign with Boston, the best year of his career and his second-to-last in the majors. He would leave as a free agent after the season, and see his career cut short by chronic vertigo problems after signing with the Atlanta Braves. Helping him at the dish was an aging Dwight Evans, who contributed 20 dingers and 100 RBI, as well as Wade Boggs (.330 AVG, 51 doubles, 113 runs), Mike Greenwell (.308 AVG, 95 RBI) and Ellis Burks (.303 AVG, 21 steals). Danny Heep was a secret weapon, hitting .300 in 113 games in a utility role. Roger Clemens led the team with 17 wins in what, to that point, was his worst full season, while Mike Boddicker contributed 15 victories and John Dopson 12. Out of the bullpen, Lee Smith paced the team with 25 saves, though the work of Dennis Lamp (112 1/3 IP, 2.32 ERA) and Rob Murphy (105 IP, 2.74 ERA) cannot be understated. At 23, Carlos Quintana was the team's youngest player; Evans, at 37, was its oldest.

Awards and Honors

• All-Stars: Wade Boggs and Mike Greenwell
• AL Silver Slugger Award: Wade Boggs (3B)