On this day 40 years ago the Boston Red Sox began a season unlike any other. They won their home opener against the Chicago White Sox 5-4. It was the first win of the season for Jim Lonborg, who went on to rack up 21 more victories, leading all American League pitchers that year, and helping him to earn the Cy Young award.
The opening day start was less prophetic for two of Boston's formidable sluggers. Carl Yastrzemski went 0-for-4 on the day, with only a walk, while Tony Conigliaro, a local kid from Boston in his fourth season with the Sox, went 0-for-5 with a strikeout. For Yaz, the '67 season was one of his most spectacular, as he won the American League Triple Crown, with a .326 average, 44 homeruns and 121 RBI, and was voted MVP. Conigliaro improved his performance and joined Yaz, Lonborg and shortstop Rico Petrocelli in the All-Star Game.
That season was bittersweet for Conigliaro, though, as on August 18 a pitch hit him just below the eye. He suffered a broken left cheekbone and damage to his eye. He missed the World Series that year, and although he made a comeback a year-and-a-half later, his eyesight was permanently damaged and he was never the same player again.
The '67 season, of course, became known as "The Impossible Dream," termed after a song from the popular musical, "Man of La Mancha." Only a season before the Red Sox had finished ninth in the American League, and a month into the '67 campaign they stood a lackluster 11-13. But the team surged in July with a 10-game winning streak, and found themselves amongst three other teams vying for the pennant, which the Sox won on the very last day of the season, their first in over 21 years.
Up until 2004, 1967 was one of the few years, along with 1975 and Carlton Fisk's home run in Game 6 of the World Series, that Red Sox fans could look at as successful seasons. Even more so, 1967 marked the return to greatness for the Sox. Early in the season the Sox could barely attract fans to Fenway, but after that magical season, the Sox recaptured Boston's attention.
The World Series ended in sorrow that year, as it had since 1918 and would continue to do so throughout the years. St. Louis Cardinals' Ace, Bob Gibson, owned the series, winning his three starts and even hitting a home run in Game 7. Yaz batted .400 with three homeruns and 10 hits, while Lonborg earned an impressive 2.69 ERA, winning two of his three starts, but was out-dueled by Gibson in Game 7. The dream had to end sometime.
Most fans had hoped that despite the loss, this would be the start of greatness for the team, and although the Sox didn't make another appearance in the World Series until 1975, it was the beginning of the ascent for the Red Sox. After the '67 campaign, they continued to be a competitive team, finishing in the top of the AL East.
Forty years later not much has changed. The Sox are as popular as ever, with the team continuing its dominance of the East, but this year hopes of another World Series Championship, to go along with 2004's, is in the back of every fan's head.
If '67 was the Impossible Dream, then '07 is certainly the year of expectations.
The team is loaded for victory, and geared for a deep postseason run. After an injury-plagued 2006, the Sox are retooled, improving at nearly every position, especially on the mound.
With the return of wonder kid Jonathan Papelbon back to his closer role, high hopes that Josh Beckett might once again find the control that brought him so much success in Florida, and perhaps the final year for Curt "Bloody Sock" Schilling, there is enough drama to last a season. But on top of all this, we have the excitement of Daisuke Matsuzaka, who some are already touting as the second coming of Pedro Martinez.
Five months from now Tuesday's home opening 14-3 shellacking of the Seattle Mariners will probably be a distant memory. Come October it is either playoffs or bust, but few in 1967 could have known a 5-4 win over the White Sox would be the start of one of the most memorable seasons in Red Sox history.
And 2007 certainly has the makings of a dream year for another generation of fans.
Andrew Bauld is a senior majoring in English and political science. He can be reached at andrew.bauld@tufts.edu.
