The IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

Worth revisiting, 1967

 Going into the last weekend of the season the Twins had moved one game ahead of the Red Sox and Tigers. The White Sox had fallen two games back and were eliminated after a Friday night loss to the Senators. The Tigers were at a disadvantage as they were ending the season playing back-to-back doubleheaders against the California Angels while the Red Sox hosted the Twins for two single games. With key home runs by Carl Yastrzemski and George Scott, the Bosox won game one against the Twin 6-,4 while the Tigers split their doubleheader against the Angels. This left the Red Sox and Twins tied for first place with the Tigers a half game back. The Tigers would have to sweep their final twin bill to force a playoff.

In Boston, both teams pitched their best, Cy Young award winner Jim Lonborg (21-9) for the Red Sox against 20 game winner, Dean Chance of the Twins. Errors bit the Sox as the Twins scored two early runs and were feeling confident as Chance dominated, allowing just four hits over the first five innings. But in the fifth, Lonborg laid down a bunt single to start the inning and Chance fell apart. Three singles, two wild pitches and an error later, the Red Sox scored five runs and went on to win 5-3. However, the suspense was not over. The Tigers won their first game and could still tie for the pennant if they completed the doubleheader sweep. The entire Red Sox nation crowded around their televisions to watch this final game of the season. On the mound for the Tigers was the heralded Denny McLain, but Denny did not have it that day. The Angels blasted out to a 8-5 win allowing the Red Sox to complete their “Impossible Dream” season.

 It cannot be overstated the role Triple Crown and MVP winner outfielder Carl Yastrzemski played in leading the Red Sox that final month of the season. Yaz batted .417 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs in the final 27 games. He went 7 for 8 in the final two games. For the season, he batted .328, 44 home runs with 121 RBIs.