The Sensational 70s - Red Sox Report

Here are some numbers for the '75 Red Sox after 54 games played. Cecil Cooper has been consistently productive with his team leading values in homers and RBI. Denny Doyle has also been an offensive catalyst batting leadoff, and both men sat in the top ten in league batting average as can been seen on the Sensational 70s AL leaderboard. The most pleasant surprise has been the play of Juan Beniquez who has relegated veteran third sacker Rico Petrocelli to the bench. Boston would like to see more production from all -star catcher Carlton Fisk who has been somewhat of a disappointment in the Red Sox attack. If Boston hopes to challenge the Orioles and Yankees, they'll need his offensive contributions to increase in vigor.

Boston has relied heavily on the efforts of Bill Lee and staff ace Luis Tiant, but the rotation has shown some resilience on the back end with the efforts of Reggie Cleveland and Rick Wise (pictured further below). Boston has turned to a 4 man rotation as of now and have one of the most effective starting rotations in the American League with regards to quality outings and ERA. Roger Moret was demoted to the bullpen in order to solidify things and find his way as free passes have been his Achilles Heel. Question marks exist in the pen making successful starting decisions a necessity. Dick Drago has capably anchored the winning end of things, but others will have to become more reliable.

Looking ahead, Boston has recently been surging and has shaved 3.5 games off the front running Orioles and Yankees. To date in the month of June, Boston is 11-4 and currently on a 7 game homestand. The hapless '76 Indians were swept in the first four games at Fenway, and the '77 Twins have been the latest victims of the red hot Sawx as they are in town for a three game set. Boston then sets out on a 7 game west coast trip visiting Seattle and Oakland before returning home to face the front running Yankees. 

Everything seems to be falling into place as the offensive attack has be bolstered with contributions from Jim Rice, Rick Burleson and Carl Yastrzemski flexing the lumber. Rice now has 11 dingers and Yaz has taken over the team lead from Cooper notching 12 round trippers.The renaissance of Rick Burleson has been a welcome addition as no one in baseball has been hotter than "The Rooster" in the past 10 games. Burleson is hitting a blazing .410 clip after floundering around the .200 mark in the first month and a half. As mentioned previously, the back end of the starting rotation has stepped up, and Rick Wise has been Boston's best hurler in the as of late with a 3-1 record to go along with a glittering 1.42 ERA in 4 starts. Highlights of the series opener against the Twins can be viewed below. Reggie Cleveland was two outs away from a complete game shutout until Roy Smalley drilled a two run shot forcing the hand of manager Darrell Johnson to lift him in favour of Roger Moret. Moret locked things down for Boston's fifth consecutive win at home.