The Williamsport Red Sox were a minor league baseball team, based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The team began in 1964 as the Williamsport Mets a class-AA affiliate of the New York Mets, in the Eastern League, from 1964 through 1967. The club played all of its games at Williamsport's Bowman Stadium. Among the future major leaguers who played for the Williamsport Mets are: Jerry Koosman, Ken Boswell, Kevin Collins, Nolan Ryan and Jim Bethke.
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In 1968, the club entered the New York–Penn League, with a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros. The team was renamed the Williamsport Astros as a result. By 1971 the club changed its affiliation to the Boston Red Sox and its name to the Williamsport Red Sox. Managed by Dick Berardino, the Red Sox went 30-39-1 their first season, finishing 6th in the 8-team NY-Penn. Steve Foran (10-4, 2.38) was the only All-Star, striking out a league-high 138 in 117 innings and also leading in wins and finishing 5th in ERA. 1B Jack Baker (.249/~.358/.502) was second in the league with 12 homers. The most prominent player to emerge from the team, though, was clearly OF Jim Rice, who was far from a star that year with a .256/~.308/.409 line.
The Red Sox continued under Berardino in 1972 but finished last at 22-47. They drew 19,038 fans, 5th in the league, and were outscored 411-278. The team managed no All-Stars though they again had the #2 home run hitter – this time it was 1B-OF Chester Lucas (.285/~.366/.500), who hit 12 long balls. The best career would belong to Don Aase, who led the league in losses with a miserable 0-10, 5.81 season. The team did not play another season.
Sources: 1972 and 1973 Baseball Guides
Notable alumni
edit- Jim Rice (1971) Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame, 2009
- Nolan Ryan (1966) Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame, 1999
- Don Aase (1972) MLB All-Star
- Bo Diaz (1971) 2x MLB All-Star
- Duffy Dyer (1966-1967)
- Ken Forsch (1968) 2x MLB All-Star
- Jerry Koosman (1965) 2x MLB All-Star
- Steve Renko (1966)
- Roy Sievers (1967, MGR) 5x MLB All-Star; 1949 AL Rookie of the Year
- Ron Swoboda (1964)
- Bill Virdon (1966, MGR) 1955 NL Rookie of the Year
- Ernie Whitt (1972) MLB All-Star
Year-by-year record
edit| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 56-84 | 5th | Ernie White | Did not qualify |
| 1965 | 67-73 | 4th | Kerby Farrell & Bunky Warren | Did not qualify |
| 1966 | 68-72 | 4th | Bill Virdon | Did not qualify |
| 1967 | 73-66 | 4th | Roy Sievers | Did not qualify |
| 1968 | 40-35 | 3rd | Dick Bogard | Lost in 1st round |
| 1969 | 39-36 | 4th | Billy Smith | Did not qualify |
| 1970 | 28-42 | 8th | Dick Bogard | Did not qualify |
| 1971 | 30-39 | 6th | Dick Berardino | Did not qualify |
| 1972 | 22-47 | 8th | Dick Berardino | Did not qualify |