This Day In Red Sox History

August 16

1915: “Smoky” Joe Wood, shut-outs the visiting Nationals 1 - 0. The District lost all 11 games at Fenway this year.

1940: "Double X" Jimmie Foxx leads the way in a 7-6 victory over the Senators with two home runs. His two home runs move him past the “Iron Man” Lou Gehrig with 495.

1948: In New York’s Memorial Hospital, George Herman “Babe” Ruth passes away, due to the effects of throat cancer. At his side are his wife Claire and their adopted daughters Dorothy and Julia. Ruth was 53.

1954: The New York Giants face Boston Red Sox in a charity game. Before the game starts Jimmy Piersall and the “Say Hey Kid” Willie Mays engage in a throwing contest. Unfortunately Peirsall hurts his arm. He still starts the game but leaves the game early. The next morning he wakes up and his arm is still sore, in fact the pain stays with him for at least a year, and he never regains his old form.

1978: Luis Tiant wins his 200th career game as the Red Sox beat the Nolan Ryan and the Angels 4-2. Jim Rice’s 2 run homer is what put Boston over the top.

1991: In a trade with Atlanta, Boston acquires P Dan Petry for a “player to be named later” (Mickey Pina).

2001: Despite being 13 games over the .500 mark and injuries to key players, the Red Sox fire Manager Jimy Williams. Pitching Coach Joe Kerrigan replaces him at the helm.

2002: Pedro Martinez scoreless inning streak is halted at 35, in a 5 – 0 loss to the Twins. It was the longest scoreless streak in the majors since 2000.

-Southstandah