Bristol Red Sox
From SoSH
| Location: | Bristol, Connecticut |
| Established: | 1973 |
| MLB Affiliation: | Boston Red Sox 1973-1982 |
| League: | Eastern League |
| Level: | AA |
| Ballpark: | Muzzy Field |
| Championships: | 3 |
| Division Titles: | 3 |
| Wild Card: | 0 |
Contents |
Bristol Red Sox History
Professional baseball returned to Bristol, Connecticut in 1973, as the displaced Pawtucket Red Sox of the Eastern League (who gave way to the current AAA version of the Pawtucket Red Sox) moved to Muzzy Field. It was not the first time that Bristol had been home to a professional team, as they had a team in the Connecticut State League from 1899-1901... and another in the Independent Colonial League in 1949 and 1950. However, the 10 year run of the Red Sox would be their longest professional run.
The franchise, owned by Joe Buzas, was not immediately successful, losing their first game on April 21, 1973 to the Cincinnati Reds' farm team from Trois Rivieres, Quebec. One of the bright spots was 21-year-old outfielder Jim Rice clubbing a 360-foot home run on the first pitch he ever saw at Bristol's Muzzy Field. The BritSox went 62-77 in their first season in Bristol.
Things took a positive turn in 1974, the first playoff season for Bristol. The team went 74-61 to win their first division title, losing in the playoffs. The BritSox improved in 1975, going 81-57, winning the second half title and winning their first of 3 Eastern League Championships. After two non-playoff seasons, the 1978 club, led by future Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, won the first half title and their second Eastern League Championship. In 1980, they showed MLB the danger of split seasons, ending with the best overall record (79-58), but winning neither half season and therefore missing the playoffs. Too bad MLB wasn't watching, Cincinnati Reds fans could stop cursing their bad 1981 luck.
The Sox would win the second half title in 1981 to return to the playoffs, winning their third EL Championship. 1982 would see the end of the Eastern League split seasons, but the Sox ended up second overall in their division and missed the playoffs. It would be the end of the Bristol Red Sox as well, as they would move about 10 miles east to New Britain for the 1983 season.
Teams and Records
- 1973 62-77 Mgr: Rac Slider
- 1974 74-61 Mgr: Stan Williams
- 1975 81-57 Mgr: Dick McAuliffe
- 1976 74-60-1 Mgr: John Kennedy
- 1977 72-67 Mgr: John Kennedy
- 1978 72-66 Mgr: Tony Torchia
- 1979 73-66 Mgr: Tony Torchia
- 1980 79-60 Mgr: Tony Torchia
- 1981 79-58 Mgr: Tony Torchia
- 1982 75-65 Mgr: Tony Torchia
Awards
Eastern League Champions
1975, 1978, 1981
Eastern League Batting Champion
- 1973 - Jim Rice - .317
- 1979 - Dave Schmidt - .332
- 1981 - Ed Jurak - .340
Eastern League Home Run Leader
- 1974 - Jack Baker - 27
Eastern League RBI Leader
- 1974 - Jack Baker - 105
Eastern League ERA Leader
- 1975 - Tom Farias - 1.55
- 1978 - Steve Schneck - 2.15
- 1981 - Brian Denman - 2.44
Eastern League Strikeout Leader (Pitcher)
- 1978 - Steve Schneck - 180
- 1981 - Jerome King - 168
- 1982 - Oil Can Boyd - 191
Eastern League Win Leader
- 1974 - Steve Barr - 16
- 1979 - Brian Denman - 14
- 1981 - Brian Denman - 15
No-Hitters
- 1973 - Charlie Ross
- 1974 - Stan Williams [7 innings]
- 1974 - Curran Percival [7 innings]
- 1975 - Tom Farias [7 innnings]
- 1977 - John Tudor [7 innings]
- 1981 - Brian Denman [7 innings]
Bristol Red Sox to the Majors
Trivia
- The Boston Red Sox made their first appearance in Brisol's Muzzy Field in September 1919. They would play a New Departure (a major company of the time), and defeat them 6-2. Babe Ruth hit a Home Run.
- Jim Rice homered in his first At Bat at Muzzy Field.
- Stan Williams, a long time Major League pitcher, apparently made at least one pitching appearance during his one year tenure as manager of the Bristol Red Sox.
