1948 Boston Red Sox season

Offseason

In December 1947, the Red Sox made a deal with the St. Louis Browns. The Sox acquired Vern Stephens, Billy Hitchcock, and pitchers Jack Kramer and Ellis Kinder. The deal cost $375,000 and 11 Red Sox players.

Notable transactions

• Prior to 1948 season (exact date unknown)
  • Milt Bolling was signed as an amateur free agent by the Red Sox.
  • Bob Smith was signed as an amateur free agent by the Red Sox.

Regular season

In 1948, Kramer led the American League in winning percentage.

Throughout 1948, the Sox, New York Yankees, and the Cleveland Indians slugged it out for the pennant. At the end of the regular season, Boston and Cleveland were tied for first place. Each team had a record of 96 wins and 58 losses, two games ahead of the Yankees.

American League Playoff

At the end of the season, the Red Sox and the Indians were tied for first place. This led to the American League's first-ever one-game playoff. The game was played at Fenway Park on Monday, October 4, 1948. The start time was 1:15 pm EST.

McCarthy picked former St. Louis Browns pitcher Denny Galehouse, who had an 8–7 pitching record, to be his starter. According to Mel Parnell, McCarthy chose Galehouse on the basis that he pitched well in relief against the Indians in Cleveland, whilst Billy Hitchcock reasoned that McCarthy chose Galehouse on the grounds that Galehouse's slider would keep Cleveland's right-handed hitters away from Fenway's left-field wall.

The Indians won the game by the score of 8–3. Indians third baseman Ken Keltner contributed to the victory with his single, double, and 3-run homer over the Green Monster in the 4th inning. Later, McCarthy said he had no rested arms and that there was no else who could pitch. Mel Parnell and Ellis Kinder claimed that they were both ready to pitch.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Opening Day lineup

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Birmingham, Scranton, Oneonta, Milford

Source:

References

References

1. Wancho, Joseph. "October 4, 1948: Rookie Bearden wins 20th, Boudreau homers twice as Indians win pennant in AL tiebreaker".
2. Nowlin, Bill. (2023). "Boston Red Sox Firsts: The Players, Moments, and Records that were First in Team History". [[Lyons Press]].
3. "Philadelphia Athletics vs Boston Red Sox Box Score: July 2, 1948".
4. (2009). "The Boston Red Sox: An Illustrated History". World Publications Group.
5. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bollimi01.shtml Milt Bolling page at Baseball Reference]
6. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/smithbo03.shtml Bob Smith page at Baseball Reference]
7. (2009). "The Boston Red Sox: An Illustrated History". World Publications Group.
8. Parker, Gary R.. (2002). "Win or Go Home: Sudden Death Baseball". [[McFarland & Company]].
9. (2007). "The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball". [[Baseball America]].