Righty reliever/starter Bob Stanley filled in whatever role the Red Sox needed him to in his 13 years there. He pitched in 637 games (85 starts) for the Red Sox in his career and he was 115-97 with 132 saves, a 3.64 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. But, he was at his best during the 1982+1983 seasons when he pitched in 112 games (0 starts) and he was 20-17 with 47 saves, a 2.98 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Stanley pitched an amazing 313 2/3 innings out of the pen in those two years. Stanley is #1 all-time in Red Sox history in games pitched (637), he’s #8 in wins with 115, #2 in saves with 132 and he is #6 in innings pitched (#6). Stanley was a solid pitcher for the Red Sox.

Looking back at the 1986 Red Sox I blame the collapse in the World Series against the Mets on manager John McNamara. McNamara had been subbing Dave Stapleton late in games for Bill Buckner who was playing hurt. But for some reason (McNamara said that he wanted Buckner on the field when they won the World Series) decided to leave Buckner on the field. That is when fate struck and Mookie Wilson hit the fateful ball that went right between Buckner’s legs. It seemed like the Curse of Babe Ruth was still hanging over the head of the Red Sox. It was a shame that something like this happened to Buckner who had a solid year for the Red Sox in 1986. He played in 153 games for the Red Sox that year and he was 168 for 629 (.267 avg, .733 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 18 homers and 102 RBIs. In five years with the Red Sox, Buckner played in 526 games in which he was 577 for 2,070 (.279 avg, .725 OPS) with 240 runs scored, 48 homers, 324 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. It took a long time for Red Sox fans to forgive Buckner but they finally have now that they have won two World Series i