Boston Red Sox Timeline

(1901 - Present)

The Boston Red Sox are one of Major League Baseball's most storied franchises. Founded in 1901 as one of the American League's eight original teams, they won five World Series before selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919, sparking an 86-year championship drought known as the 'Curse of the Bambino.' The drought ended dramatically in 2004 with a historic comeback against the Yankees, followed by further championships in 2007, 2013, and 2018. More Less

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Founding and Early Years

American League franchise established in Boston

Jan 28, 1901

The Boston Americans were founded as one of the eight charter franchises of Ban Johnson's new American League, beginning play at Huntington Avenue Grounds and launching professional baseball in Boston's American League era.

Image source: History of the Boston Red Sox

First American League season played in Boston

Apr 26, 1901

The newly formed Boston club took the field for its inaugural American League season, finishing third in the league under manager Jimmy Collins and quickly establishing itself as a competitive franchise.

Image source: 1901 Boston Americans season

Franchise adopts Red Sox name

Dec 18, 1907

Owner John I. Taylor announced that the team would wear red stockings and officially adopt the name 'Red Sox,' replacing earlier monikers like 'Americans' and 'Pilgrims.'

Fenway Park opens

Apr 20, 1912

The Red Sox opened their iconic new home, Fenway Park, with a victory over the New York Highlanders. The ballpark would become the oldest in Major League Baseball and a beloved national landmark.

Image source: Fenway Park

Fenway Park celebrates 100th anniversary season

Apr 20, 2012

The Red Sox marked Fenway Park's centennial with celebrations honoring the ballpark's storied history, including a return visit by members of the 1912-era families and former greats.

Legendary Players

Cy Young throws baseball's first perfect game

May 5, 1904

Boston Americans pitcher Denton True 'Cy' Young hurled a perfect game against the Philadelphia Athletics, the first in modern Major League Baseball history, cementing his legacy as one of the game's greatest pitchers.

Image source: Cy Young

Ted Williams debuts for the Red Sox

Apr 14, 1939

Rookie outfielder Ted Williams began his Hall of Fame career with the Red Sox, becoming one of baseball's greatest hitters and spending his entire 19-season career in a Boston uniform.

Image source: Ted Williams

Williams hits .406, last player to do so

Sep 28, 1941

Ted Williams finished the 1941 season with a .406 batting average, the last time any major league hitter has batted over .400 for an entire season.

Ted Williams serves in World War II

May 22, 1943 - Jan 28, 1946

At the peak of his career, Ted Williams enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Marine Corps aviator pilot during World War II, missing three full seasons of baseball before returning to the Red Sox.

Williams wins second Triple Crown

Sep 28, 1947

Ted Williams captured his second career Triple Crown, leading the American League in home runs, RBIs, and batting average despite losing the MVP vote again.

Image source: Triple Crown (baseball)

Carl Yastrzemski wins Triple Crown

Oct 1, 1967

During the 'Impossible Dream' season, Carl Yastrzemski won the Triple Crown and carried Boston to an improbable AL pennant in one of baseball's tightest pennant races ever.

Image source: 1967 Boston Red Sox season

Roger Clemens strikes out record 20 batters

Apr 29, 1986

Roger Clemens set a major league record by striking out 20 Seattle Mariners in a nine-inning game at Fenway Park, en route to winning the Cy Young and MVP awards that season.

Image source: Roger Clemens

Nomar Garciaparra wins Rookie of the Year

Nov 12, 1997

Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra won unanimous AL Rookie of the Year honors after setting a rookie record with 30-game hitting streaks and electrifying Fenway Park fans.

Image source: Nomar Garciaparra

David Ortiz becomes all-time designated hits leader era icon

Jun 14, 2013

'Big Papi' David Ortiz continued redefining the designated hitter role, becoming the face of the franchise and a clutch performer across three championship teams.

Image source: David Ortiz

David Ortiz becomes all-time designated hits leader era icon

Ortiz retires after final season

Oct 10, 2016

David Ortiz concluded his legendary 14-year Red Sox career, retiring as a three-time champion, ten-time All-Star, and one of the most beloved figures in franchise history.

World Series Championships

Red Sox win first World Series title

Oct 16, 1912

Led by Tris Speaker and Smoky Joe Wood, the Red Sox won a thrilling eight-game World Series against the New York Giants, capturing the first championship in franchise history.

Image source: 1912 World Series

Red Sox win fourth World Series in seven seasons

Sep 11, 1918

Boston defeated the Chicago Cubs to win its fourth World Series title since 1912. Babe Ruth pitched brilliantly in the series, though it would prove to be the franchise's last championship for 86 years.

Image source: 1918 World Series

Red Sox sweep Cardinals to break Curse of the Bambino

Oct 27, 2004

Boston swept the St. Louis Cardinals to win its first World Series in 86 years, exorcising the Curse of the Bambino and ending one of sports' longest championship droughts.

Image source: 2004 World Series

Jonathan Papelbon closes out 2007 World Series title

Oct 28, 2007

The Red Sox swept the Colorado Rockies for their second championship in four years, powered by Josh Beckett, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and rookie stars Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Image source: 2007 World Series

Red Sox win World Series months after Marathon bombing

Oct 30, 2013

A year removed from a last-place finish, Boston beat the St. Louis Cardinals in six games to capture its third title in ten years, providing healing for a grieving city.

Image source: 2013 World Series

Red Sox defeat Dodgers for fourth title of century

Oct 28, 2018

Boston routed the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games for its ninth World Series championship, capping one of the most dominant seasons in modern baseball history.

Image source: 2018 World Series

Curse and Drought

Babe Ruth sold to the Yankees

Jan 5, 1920

Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold star pitcher-outfielder Babe Ruth to the rival New York Yankees for $100,000 to finance a Broadway play, a transaction later blamed for the 'Curse of the Bambino' and decades of futility.

Image source: Curse of the Bambino

Enos Slaughter's mad dash sinks Red Sox in Series

Oct 15, 1946

In the Red Sox's first World Series since 1918, Cardinals runner Enos Slaughter scored from first base on a single in Game 7, giving St. Louis the title and breaking Boston hearts.

Image source: 1946 World Series

Red Sox lose pennant on final day to Cleveland

Oct 4, 1948

Boston lost a one-game playoff to the Cleveland Indians after leading the AL most of the season, beginning a pattern of heartbreaking near-misses.

Red Sox fall one game short in 1967 World Series

Oct 12, 1967

Bob Gibson dominated the mound as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated Boston in seven games, ending the magical Impossible Dream season just short of glory.

Image source: 1967 World Series

Bucky Dent's homer beats Red Sox in playoff

Oct 2, 1978

Yankees shortstop Bucky Dent hit an unlikely three-run homer over Fenway Park's Green Monster in a one-game playoff, completing New York's comeback from 14 games behind and deepening Boston's misery.

Image source: Bucky Dent

Bill Buckner error ends Game 6 of World Series

Oct 25, 1986

With Boston one strike from a championship, Mookie Wilson's ground ball rolled through Bill Buckner's legs, allowing the Mets to win Game 6; New York then took Game 7 and the series.

Image source: 1986 World Series

Bill Buckner error ends Game 6 of World Series

Aaron Boone's homer eliminates Red Sox in ALCS

Oct 16, 2003

Aaron Boone's walk-off home run in extra innings of Game 7 off Tim Wakefield gave the Yankees the pennant, extending Boston's championship drought in agonizing fashion.

Image source: 2003 American League Championship Series

Modern Era

Pedro Martínez joins the Red Sox

Nov 24, 1997

Boston acquired Pedro Martínez from Montreal, and he became one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, winning two Cy Young Awards with the Red Sox and anchoring their 2004 rotation.

Image source: Pedro Martínez

Terry Francona hired as manager

Dec 3, 2003

Boston hired Terry Francona as manager, a move that would usher in the most successful managerial era in franchise history with two World Series titles.

Image source: Terry Francona

Dave Roberts steal ignites historic ALCS comeback

Oct 17, 2004 - Oct 20, 2004

Down 0-3 to the Yankees, Dave Roberts stole second base in Game 4, sparking the greatest comeback in postseason history as Boston won four straight to reach the World Series.

Image source: 2004 American League Championship Series

Dave Roberts steal ignites historic ALCS comeback

Boston Marathon bombing response unites team and city

Apr 20, 2013

Days after the Boston Marathon bombing, David Ortiz declared 'This is our [expletive] city!' at Fenway Park as the Red Sox became a symbol of the city's resilience, rallying to win the division.

Image source: 2013 Boston Red Sox season

Red Sox win franchise-record 108 games

Oct 1, 2018

Under first-year manager Alex Cora, Boston won a franchise-record 108 regular-season games behind MVP Mookie Betts and slugger J.D. Martinez.

Image source: 2018 Boston Red Sox season

Mookie Betts traded to Dodgers

Feb 10, 2020

In a blockbuster trade, the Red Sox dealt superstar outfielder Mookie Betts and David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers, signaling a roster reset that drew heavy criticism from fans.

Image source: Mookie Betts

Key Facts

The Boston Red Sox were founded in 1901 as one of the eight charter franchises of the American League, originally playing at Huntington Avenue Grounds before moving to Fenway Park in 1912.
Fenway Park, opened in 1912, is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and is famous for its iconic left-field wall, the 'Green Monster.'
The team won five World Series titles between 1903 and 1918, but the sale of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919 began an 86-year championship drought nicknamed the 'Curse of the Bambino.'
In 2004, the Red Sox became the first MLB team ever to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first three games, defeating the Yankees in the ALCS and sweeping the Cardinals for their first title since 1918.
The franchise has won nine World Series championships in total (1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018), tying them with the Athletics for third-most in baseball history.

Source

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