Memories Of The Boston Red Sox 1967....Part Four

As Peter said to me recently, I think it would be more interesting
for the readers to just recall some very special
memories and not worry so much about the chronology of
that very special season, circa 1967. The year the
baseball world woke up and noticed the Boston Red Sox
once again. After so many years. No Ted, just Yaz, and so many others! And as you will read in
the upcoming paragraphs by our blog buddy Jay,
there were so many teammates who overachieved and did everything possible to march
not only to a first place finish in the AL,
(remember, there were NO divisions) but to one darn
victory away from winning it all. They captured our hearts and our souls!! Read on for more of
Jay's thoughts, priceless memories of what was, and what
might be again. But it will never be the same as 1967.
We go back 40 years, with smiles of joy.....

"To that end, the Impossible Dream team had an array
of vagabond players, retreads and just plain average
ballplayers who did something special. One such
player---a familiar name for some of us,
was Jose Tartabull. He played for Seattle in
the 90's. Back in 1967, Jose Tartabull was a role
player for the Red Sox. Danny Tartabull is his son.
The elder Tartabull, as I recall, started with the
Kansas City Athletics (yes, that's right, Kansas
City!). I believe he also played for Cleveland and
perhaps a few others. He wasn't a good hitter but was
supposedly a decent fielder. He was part of a very
memorable moment in 1967. Let me set the scene........

The game was against, I believe, the Angels, maybe
the White Sox..... ...anyway, the Sox needed a win
badly and were protecting a 4 to 3 lead in the 9th
inning. I don't recall the batter but Tartabull was in
right field and a fly ball was hit to him. Ken Berry
was on 3rd and was considered a fast runner and always
a threat on the bases....I will let the immortal Red
Sox announcer Ken Coleman take it from
here..."Tartabull coming on..he's known for his weak
arm. Here's the throw to the plate (in the background
someone yells safe) but Coleman quickly comes back and
yells "OUT AT HOME!! Tartabull has thrown the runner
out at the plate..Sox win!!"

A huge moment, just because players that we never
expected to shine had their unbelievable days of
glory. A bunch of them. All in 1967. So MANY vital and
pivotal moments of heroics. And that's what made 1967
so very special! And why we were, just kids at the
time, so very happy.

This may seem like not a big deal, but it was a turning
point in 1967, as things began to go our way.
Tartabull had no business throwing out the fast Berry
on that play at the plate. But he DID!
One other thing...the 5 year old Danny Tartabull was
on the cover of the '67 yearbook as a participant in
the Father-Son game early that season. If memory
serves me right, he ran to 3rd base instead of 1st on
his time at the bat. But he was a kid, soon to be headed for baseball glory on his own.
Like father, like son.

And so it goes in life. For all of us. If not yet, it will!
As John Lennon wrote and sang about his then young son,
"Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy.
Darling, darling, darling, darling Sean."
And then this...so true, forever. The words will always bring tears to these old eyes of mine....
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
So true, John. And I cry, yet again. At this very moment. Thanks John.

Peter here, and thank you Jay. I admit I added a few
words, but your memories are downright priceless. I
thank you so much! These little tidbits about the
average players, they're the ones who confounded all
the baseball experts and fans. The Sox came one step,
ONE GAME away from a World Championship. Well, thats what
dreams are made of. And those '67 Sox made MY dreams,
and Jay's too, come true. And baseball was never the
same again. Not in Boston.

It's been 40 years now. That was the
summer of Sgt. Pepper, and THE year of the Red Sox.
And for me (Peter), and Jay, too, that will never
change. We are forever better because of that
wonderful 7 months of baseball, Red Sox style.

Thank's again, Jay. My readers, comments are so
welcome....Jay will be reading. That I promise you. GREAT
JOB, JAYSPAY. Great job '67 Sox. And thank you for
reading. May we rid ourselves of these hitting
woes and come out swinging. For Jay and me, and all of
you, have faith. And ALL of RSN, our nation.
FOREVER. Case closed. Now let's win 8 of 10!
Click on the title of this post for the complete boston Red Sox roster, thanks to say. Click away!