Wikipedia

2007 Boston Red Sox season

The 2007 Boston Red Sox season was the 107th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. Managed by Terry Francona, the Red Sox finished first in the American League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. In the postseason, the Red Sox first swept the American League West champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the ALDS. In the ALCS, the Red Sox defeated the American League Central champion Cleveland Indians in seven games, despite falling behind 3–1 in the series. Advancing to the World Series, the Red Sox swept the National League champion Colorado Rockies, to capture their second championship in four years.[1]

2007 Boston Red Sox
World Series Champions
American League Champions
American League East Champions
LeagueAmerican League
DivisionEast
BallparkFenway Park
CityBoston, Massachusetts
Record96–66 (.593)
Divisional place1st
OwnersJohn W. Henry (New England Sports Ventures)
PresidentLarry Lucchino
General managerTheo Epstein
ManagerTerry Francona
TelevisionNew England Sports Network
RadioWRKO
WEEI
WROL (Spanish)
StatsESPN.com
Baseball Reference
← 2006 Seasons 2008 →

Off-season

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J. D. Drew

On November 14, 2006, Major League Baseball announced that the Red Sox had competed for the rights to negotiate a contract with Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. Boston won with a bid of US$51.1 million and had 30 days to complete a deal. On December 13, 2006, the day before the deadline, Matsuzaka signed a six-year contract worth $52 million.

It was initially announced that closer Jonathan Papelbon would become a starter in 2007, partially to protect his arm from the injury that sidelined him. Pitchers Hideki Okajima, J. C. Romero and Joel Piñeiro were signed as free agents. Brendan Donnelly was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in a trade for pitcher Phil Seibel.

However, there was no clear candidate for the closer role. Papelbon wanted to re-fill that spot, and team officials believed he had rehabilitated himself so well in the offseason that his health of this shoulder was no longer a concern, and allowed him to return to the bullpen.[2]

The Red Sox lost free agent Álex González to the Cincinnati Reds (leading the Red Sox to sign Julio Lugo) and Mark Loretta to the Houston Astros (allowing Dustin Pedroia to become the team's starting second baseman). Trot Nixon, also a free agent, signed with the Cleveland Indians, creating the need for a right fielder. The Red Sox pursued J. D. Drew, who had recently opted out of the remainder of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers to become a free agent. However, the Red Sox medical staff had concerns about Drew's previously injured shoulder. On January 25, 2007, the Red Sox and Drew agreed to a five-year deal worth $70 million.

Outfielder Gabe Kapler, age 31, announced his retirement to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a coach. The Red Sox named him manager of their single-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive.

At the end of spring training of 2007, the Red Sox traded minor league veteran catcher Alberto Castillo for Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cory Keylor.

Regular season

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Alex Cora turning a double-play against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Fenway Park on April 16, 2007

Opening Day lineup

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23 Julio Lugo SS
20 Kevin Youkilis 1B
34 David Ortiz DH
24 Manny Ramírez LF
  7 J. D. Drew RF
25 Mike Lowell 3B
33 Jason Varitek C
10 Coco Crisp CF
15 Dustin Pedroia 2B
38 Curt Schilling P

Honoring a Boston legend

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Bright green jerseys, with "Red Sox" in white letters outlined in red across the front, were worn on April 20 to honor former Boston Celtics coach, general manager, and president Red Auerbach, who had died during the previous off-season. The jerseys also had players' names on the back, believed to be a first for Red Sox home uniforms.[3]

Season standings

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AL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Boston Red Sox 96 66 .593 — 51‍–‍30 45‍–‍36
New York Yankees 94 68 .580 2 52‍–‍29 42‍–‍39
Toronto Blue Jays 83 79 .512 13 49‍–‍32 34‍–‍47
Baltimore Orioles 69 93 .426 27 35‍–‍46 34‍–‍47
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 66 96 .407 30 37‍–‍44 29‍–‍52

Record vs. opponents

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2007 American League record

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]
Team BAL BOS CWS CLE DET KC LAA MIN NYY OAK SEA TB TEX TOR NL 
Baltimore — 6–12 5–3 3–4 1–5 7–0 3–7 0–7 9–9 4–4 2–7 11–7 4–6 8–10 6–12
Boston 12–6 — 7–1 5–2 3–4 3–3 6–4 4–3 8–10 4–4 4–5 13–5 6–4 9–9 12–6
Chicago 3–5 1–7 — 7–11 11–7 12–6 5–4 9–9 4–6 4–5 1–7 6–1 2–4 3–4 4–14
Cleveland 4–3 2–5 11–7 — 12–6 11–7 5–5 14–4 0–6 6–4 4–3 8–2 6–3 4–2 9–9
Detroit 5–1 4–3 7–11 6–12 — 11–7 3–5 12–6 4–4 4–6 6–4 3–4 5–4 4–3 14–4
Kansas City 0–7 3–3 6–12 7–11 7–11 — 5–2 9–9 1–9 6–4 3–6 4–3 5–4 3–4 10–8
Los Angeles 7–3 4–6 4–5 5–5 5–3 2–5 — 6–3 6–3 9–10 13–6 6–2 10–9 3–4 14–4
Minnesota 7–0 3–4 9–9 4–14 6–12 9–9 3–6 — 2–5 5–2 6–3 3–4 7–2 4–6 11–7
New York 9–9 10–8 6–4 6–0 4–4 9–1 3–6 5–2 — 2–4 5–5 10–8 5–1 10–8 10–8
Oakland 4–4 4–4 5–4 4–6 6–4 4–6 10–9 2–5 4–2 — 5–14 4–6 9–10 5–4 10–8
Seattle 7–2 5–4 7–1 3–4 4–6 6–3 6–13 3–6 5–5 14–5 — 4–3 11–8 4–5 9–9
Tampa Bay 7–11 5–13 1–6 2–8 4–3 3–4 2–6 4–3 8–10 6–4 3–4 — 5–4 9–9 7–11
Texas 6–4 4–6 4–2 3–6 4–5 4–5 9–10 2–7 1–5 10–9 8–11 4–5 — 5–5 11–7
Toronto 10–8 9–9 4–3 2–4 3–4 4–3 4–3 6–4 8–10 4–5 5–4 9–9 5–5 — 10–8
Red Sox vs. National League
Team NL West  
ARI COL LAD SDP SFG ATL
Boston 2–1 1–2 — 2–1 3–0 4–2

Notable transactions

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Game log

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2007 Game Log
April (16–8)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 April 2 @ Royals 7–1 Meche (1-0) Schilling (0-1) 41,257 0-1
2 April 4 @ Royals 7–1 Beckett (1-0) Pérez (0 – 1) 22,348 1-1
3 April 5 @ Royals 4–1 Matsuzaka (1-0) Greinke (0-1) Papelbon (1) 23,170 2-1
4 April 6 @ Rangers 2–0 Tejeda (1-0) Wakefield (0-1) Otsuka (1) 51,548 2-2
5 April 7 @ Rangers 8–2 Millwood (1-0) Tavárez (0-1) 40,865 2-3
6 April 8 @ Rangers 3–2 Schilling (1-1) Padilla (0-2) Papelbon (2) 28,347 3-3
7 April 10 Mariners 14–3 Beckett (2-0) Weaver (0-1) 35,847 4-3
8 April 11 Mariners 3–0 Hernández (2-0) Matsuzaka (1-1) 36,630 4-4
-- April 12 Mariners Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for May 3 4-4
9 April 13 Angels 10–1 Wakefield (1-1) Lackey (2-1) 35,946 5-4
10 April 14 Angels 8–0 Schilling (2-1) Carrasco (0-1) 36,300 6-4
-- April 15 Angels Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for August 17 6-4
11 April 16 Angels 7–2 Beckett (3-0) Santana (1-2) 35,424 7-4
12 April 17 @ Blue Jays 2–1 Chacín (2-0) Matsuzaka (1-2) Frasor (1) 42,162 7-5
13 April 18 @ Blue Jays 4–1 Wakefield (2-1) Ohka (0-2) Papelbon (3) 20,188 8-5
14 April 19 @ Blue Jays 5–3 Timlin (1-0) Marcum (1-1) Papelbon (4) 33,297 9-5
15 April 20 Yankees 7–6 Snyder (1-0) Rivera (1-2) Okajima (1) 36,786 10-5
16 April 21 Yankees 7–5 Beckett (4-0) Karstens (0-1) Papelbon (5) 36,342 11-5
17 April 22 Yankees 7–6 Matsuzaka (2-2) Proctor (0-1) Papelbon (6) 36,905 12-5
18 April 23 Blue Jays 7–3 Ohka (1-2) Wakefield (2-2) Frasor (2) 36,669 12-6
19 April 24 Blue Jays 10–3 Halladay (3-0) Tavárez (0-2) 37,161 12-7
20 April 25 @ Orioles 6–1 Schilling (3-1) Cabrera (1-2) 27,613 13-7
21 April 26 @ Orioles 5–2 Beckett (5-0) Ray (2-2) Papelbon (7) 33,522 14-7
22 April 27 @ Yankees 11–4 Matsuzaka (3-2) Pettitte (1-1) 55,005 15-7
23 April 28 @ Yankees 3–1 Igawa (2-1) Wakefield (2-3) Rivera (1) 55,026 15-8
24 April 29 @ Yankees 7–4 Tavárez (1-2) Wang (0-2) Papelbon (8) 54,856 16-8
May (20–8)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
25 May 1 Athletics 5–4 (10) Duchscherer (2-1) Donnelly (0-1) Street (7) 37,052 16-9
26 May 2 Athletics 6–4 Beckett (6-0) Marshall (1-1) Timlin (1) 37,006 17-9
27 May 3 Mariners 8–7 Donnelly(1-1) Reitsma (0-1) Romero (1) 37,216 18-9
28 May 4 @ Twins 2–0 Wakefield (3-3) Silva (2-2) Papelbon (9) 34,951 19-9
29 May 5 @ Twins 2–1 Santana (4-2) Tavárez (1-3) Nathan (8) 40,088 19-10
30 May 6 @ Twins 4–3 Schilling (4-1) Ponson (2-4) Papelbon (10) 27,807 20-10
31 May 8 @ Blue Jays 9–2 Beckett (7-0) Zambrano (0-2) 41,203 21-10
32 May 9 @ Blue Jays 9–3 Matsuzaka (4-2) Ohka (2-4-) 21,784 22-10
33 May 10 @ Blue Jays 8–0 Wakefield (4-3) Halladay (4-2) 22,290 23-10
34 May 11 Orioles 6–3 Burres (1-1) Tavárez (1-4) Ray (8) 37,039 23-11
35 May 12 Orioles 13–4 López (1-0) Leicester (0-1) 36,503 24-11
36 May 13 Orioles 6–5 Romero (1-0) Ray (3-3) 36,379 25-11
37 May 14 Tigers 7–1 Matsuzaka (5-2) Robertson (3-3) 36,935 26-11
38 May 15 Tigers 7–2 Verlander (3-1) Wakefield (4-4) 37,031 26-12
-- May 16 Tigers Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for May 17 26-12
39 May 17 Tigers 2–1 Tavárez (2-4) Miner (0-1) Papelbon (11) 36,767 27-12
40 May 17 Tigers 4–2 Donnelly (2-1) Ledezma (0-1) Okajima (2) 37,006 28-12
-- May 18 Braves Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for May 19 28-12
41 May 19 Braves 13–3 Matsuzaka (6-2) Lerew (0-2) 36,358 29-12
42 May 19 Braves 14–0 Smoltz (6-2) Hansack (0-1) 36,792 29-13
43 May 20 Braves 6–3 Gabbard (1-0) Hudson (5-2) 36,140 30-13
44 May 21 @ Yankees 6–2 Wang (3-3) Wakefield (4-5) 55,078 30-14
45 May 22 @ Yankees 7–3 Tavárez (3-4) Mussina 54,739 31-14
46 May 23 @ Yankees 8–3 Pettitte' (3-3) Schilling (4-2) 55,000 31-15
47 May 25 @ Rangers 10–6 Matsuzaka (7-2) Littleton (0-1) 33,552 32-15
48 May 26 @ Rangers 7–4 Wakefield (5-5) Padilla (2-7) Papelbon (12) 37,974 33-15
49 May 27 @ Rangers 6–5 Piñeiro (1-0) Otsuka (1-1) Okajima (3) 40,323 34-15
50 May 28 Indians 5–3 Schilling (5-2) Lee (2-2) Papelbon (13) 36,910 35-15
51 May 29 Indians 4–2 Beckett (8-0) Sowers (1-5) Okajima (4) 37,076 36-15
52 May 30 Indians 8–4 Byrd (6-1) Matsuzaka (7-3) 37,091 36-16
June (13–14)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
53 June 1 Yankees 9–5 Wang (4-4) Wakefield (5-6) 36,785 36-17
54 June 2 Yankees 11–6 Okajima (1-0) Proctor (0-3) 36,294 37-17
55 June 3 Yankees 6–5 Bruney (2-1) Papelbon (0-1) Rivera (5) 36,793 37-18
56 June 4 @ Athletics 5–4 (11) Casilla (1-0) Snyder (1-1) 28,177 37-19
57 June 5 @ Athletics 2–0 DiNardo (2-2) Matsuzaka (7-4) Embree (5) 31,127 37-20
58 June 6 @ Athletics 3–2 Kennedy (2-4) Wakefield (5-7) Casilla (1) 32,280 37-21
59 June 7 @ Athletics 1–0 Schilling (6-2) Blanton (5-4) 31,211 38-21
60 June 8 @ D-backs 10–3 Beckett (9-0) Davis (4-7) 40,435 39-21
61 June 9 @ D-backs 4–3 (10) Okajima (2-0) Cruz (2-1) Papelbon (14) 49,826 40-21
62 June 10 @ D-backs 5–1 Johnson (4-2) Matsuzaka (7-5) 46,622 40-22
63 June 12 Rockies 2–1 Wakefield (6-7) Cook (4-3) Papelbon (15) 37,008 41-22
64 June 13 Rockies 12–2 Fogg (2-5) Schilling (6-3) 36,808 41-23
65 June 14 Rockies 7–1 Francis (6-5) Beckett (9-1) 36,936 41-24
66 June 15 Giants 10–2 Tavárez (4-4) Zito (6-7) 36,508 42-24
67 June 16 Giants 1–0 Matsuzaka (8-5) Cain (2-7) Papelbon (16) 36,381 43-24
68 June 17 Giants 9–5 Wakefield (7-7) Morris (7-4) 36,137 44-24
69 June 18 @ Braves 9–4 James (6-6) Schilling (6-4) 47,562 44-25
70 June 19 @ Braves 4–0 Beckett (10-1) Hudson (6-5) 47,910 45-25
71 June 20 @ Braves 11–0 Tavárez (5-4) Carlyle (1-2) 49,585 46-25
72 June 22 @ Padres 2–1 Matsuzaka (9-5) Maddux (6-4) Papelbon (17) 44,405 47-25
73 June 23 @ Padres 6–1 Young (7-3) Wakefield (7-8) 44,457 47-26
74 June 24 @ Padres 4–2 Beckett (11-1) Peavy (9-2) Papelbon (18) 44,449 48-26
75 June 25 @ Mariners 9–5 Weaver (2-6) Tavárez (5-5) 33,830 48-27
76 June 26 @ Mariners 8–7 O'Flaherty (5-0) Lopez (1-1) Putz (22) 35,045 48-28
77 June 27 @ Mariners 2–1 (11) Davis (2-0) Piñeiro (1-1) 43,448 48-29
78 June 29 Rangers 2–1 Wakefield (8-8) Wright (1-2) Papelbon (19) 36,756 49-29
79 June 30 Rangers 5–4 Mahay (1-0) Beckett (11-2) Gagné (9) 36,747 49-31
July (15-12)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
80 July 1 Rangers 2–1 Loe (5-6) Tavárez (5-6) Gagné (10) 36,378 49-31
81 July 2 Rangers 7–3 Gabbard (2-0) McCarthy (4-5) 36,778 50-31
82 July 3 Devil Rays 4–1 Matsuzaka (10-5) Kazmir (5-5) 37,005 51-31
83 July 4 Devil Rays 7–5 Wakefield (9-8) Jackson (1-9) Papelbon (20) 36,629 52-31
84 July 5 Devil Rays 15–4 Beckett (12-2) Howell (1-3) 37,044 53-31
85 July 6 @ Tigers 9–2 Miller (4-2) Tavárez (5-7) 43,839 53-32
86 July 7 @ Tigers 3–2 (13) Grilli (3-2) Papelbon (0-2) 44,193 53-33
87 July 8 @ Tigers 6–5 Robertson (5-6) Matsuzaka (10-6) Jones (22) 41,943 53-34
88 July 12 Blue Jays 7–4 Wakefield (10-8) Halladay (10-4) Papelbon (21) 36,887 54-34
89 July 13 Blue Jays 6–5 Marcum (5-3) Snyder (1-2) Accardo (12) 36,908 54-35
90 July 14 Blue Jays 9–4 Matsuzaka (11-6) McGowan (5-5) 36,830 55-35
91 July 15 Blue Jays 2–1 Litsch (2-3) Beckett (12-3) Accardo (13) 36,301 55-36
92 July 16 Royals 4–0 Gabbard (3-0) Bannister (5-6) 37,099 56-36
93 July 17 Royals 9–3 Gobble (4-1) Wakefield (10-9) 37,001 56-37
94 July 18 Royals 6–5 Pérez (5-8) Tavárez (5-8) Dotel (10) 36,681 56-38
95 July 19 White Sox 4–2 Vázquez (7-5) Matsuzaka (11-7) Jenks (26) 36,913 56-39
96 July 20 White Sox 10–3 Beckett (13-3) Contreras (5-12) 36,737 57-39
97 July 21 White Sox 11–2 Gabbard (4-0) Danks (6-7) 36,283 58-39
98 July 22 White Sox 8–5 Wakefield (11-9) Garland (7-7) Papelbon (22) 36,346 59-39
99 July 23 @ Indians 6–2 Lester (1-0) Westbrook (1-6) Delcarmen (1) 32,439 60-39
100 July 24 @ Indians 1–0 Matsuzaka (12-7) Sabathia (13-5) Papelbon (23) 39,339 61-39
101 July 25 @ Indians 1–0 Carmona (13-4) Beckett (13-4) Borowski (29) 29,614 61-40
102 July 26 @ Indians 14–9 Tavárez (6-8) Lee (5-8) 34,286 62-40
103 July 27 @ Devil Rays 7–1 Wakefield (12-9) Hammel (1-1) 33,144 63-40
104 July 28 @ Devil Rays 12–6 (12) Snyder (2-2) Stokes (2-7) 36,048 64-40
105 July 29 @ Devil Rays 5–2 Glover (4-3) Matsuzaka (12-8) 34,813 64-41
106 July 31 Orioles 5–3 Bédard (11-4) Beckett (13-5) Walker (4) 36,866 64-42
August (16–13)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
107 August 1 Orioles 5–4 López (2-1) Parrish (2-2) Papelbon (24) 36,649 65-42
108 August 2 Orioles 7–4 Wakefield (13-9) Bell (3-2) 36,457 66-42
109 August 3 @ Mariners 7–4 Green (5-1) Timlin (1-1) Putz (32) 46,235 66-43
110 August 4 @ Mariners 4–3 Matsuzaka (13-8) Washburn (8-8) Papelbon (25) 46,313 67-43
111 August 5 @ Mariners 9–2 Beckett (14-5) Batista (11-8) 46,377 68-43
112 August 6 @ Angels 4–2 Speier (1-2) Schilling (6-5) Rodríguez (28) 44,142 68-44
113 August 7 @ Angels 10–4 Saunders (6-0) Wakefield (13-10) 44,177 68-45
114 August 8 @ Angels 9–6 Okajima (3-0) Speier (1-3) Papelbon (26) 44,243 69-45
115 August 10 @ Orioles 6–5 Hoey (1-0) Okajima (3-1) 48,993 69-46
116 August 11 @ Orioles 6–2 Beckett (15-5) Olson (1-1) Papelbon (27) 49,242 70-46
117 August 12 @ Orioles 6–3 (10) Bradford (1-4) Snyder (2-3) 48,551 70-47
118 August 13 Devil Rays 3–0 Wakefield (14-10) Shields (9-8) Papelbon (28) 36,808 71-47
119 August 14 Devil Rays 2–1 Gagné (3-0) Reyes (1-2) 36,837 72-47
120 August 15 Devil Rays 6–5 Sonnanstine (2-8) Matsuzaka (13-9) Reyes (18) 36,413 72-48
121 August 17 Angels 8–4 Buchholz (1-0) Lackey (15-7) Papelbon (29) 36,686 73-48
122 August 17 Angels 7–5 Rodríguez (5-2) Gagné (3-1) 36,538 73-49
123 August 18 Angels 10–5 Schilling (7-5) Jer Weaver (8-6) 36,652 74-49
124 August 19 Angels 3–1 Saunders (7-1) Tavárez (6-9) Rodríguez (31) 36,346 74-50
125 August 20 @ Devil Rays 6–0 Wakefield (15-10) Kazmir (9-8) 16,843 75-50
126 August 21 @ Devil Rays 8–6 Lester (2-0) Sonnanstine (2-9) Papelbon (30) 16,393 76-50
127 August 22 @ Devil Rays 2–1 Jackson (4-12) Matsuzaka (13-10) Reyes (19) 17,839 76-51
-- August 23 @ White Sox Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for August 24 76-51
128 August 24 @ White Sox 11–3 Beckett (16-5) Garland (8-10) 30,581 77-51
129 August 24 @ White Sox 10–1 Schilling (8-5) Danks (6-12) 37,639 78-51
130 August 25 @ White Sox 14–2 Wakefield (16-10) Buehrle (9-9) 38,874 79-51
131 August 26 @ White Sox 11–1 Tavárez (7-9) Vázquez (11-7) 36,745 80-51
132 August 28 @ Yankees 5–3 Pettitte (12-7) Matsuzaka (13-11) Rivera (21) 55,037 80-52
133 August 29 @ Yankees 4–3 Clemens (6-5) Beckett (16-6) Rivera (22) 54,986 80-53
134 August 30 @ Yankees 5–0 Wang (16-6) Schilling (8-6) 55,067 80-54
135 August 31 Orioles 9–8 Birkins (1-1) Tavárez (7-10) Báez (3) 36,810 80-55
September (16–11)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
136 September 1 Orioles 10–0 Buchholz (2-0) Olson (1-3) 36,819 81-55
137 September 2 Orioles 3–2 Lester (3-0) Cabrera (9-14) Papelbon (31) 36,340 82-55
138 September 3 Blue Jays 13–10 Matsuzaka (14-11) Litsch (5-7) Papelbon (32) 36,639 83-55
139 September 4 Blue Jays 5–3 Beckett (17-6) Halladay (14-7) Papelbon (33) 36,839 84-55
140 September 5 Blue Jays 6–4 Accardo (4-3) Okajima (3-2) 37,106 84-56
141 September 6 @ Orioles 7–6 Buchholz (3-0) Báez (0-6) Papelbon (34) 27,472 85-56
142 September 7 @ Orioles 4–0 Lester (4-0) Cabrera (9-15) 34,091 86-56
143 September 8 @ Orioles 11–5 Leicester (1-1) Matsuzaka (14-12) 48,043 86-57
144 September 9 @ Orioles 3–2 Beckett (18-6) Bradford (3-7) Papelbon (35) 39,234 87-57
145 September 10 Devil Rays 1–0 Kazmir (12-8) Schilling (8-7) Reyes (24) 36,907 87-58
146 September 11 Devil Rays 16–10 Corey (1-0) Switzer (0-1) 36,640 88-58
147 September 12 Devil Rays 5–4 Papelbon (1-2) Reyes (2-3) 36,931 89-58
148 September 14 Yankees 8–7 Bruney (3-1) Papelbon (1-3) Rivera (27) 36,590 89-59
149 September 15 Yankees 10–1 Beckett (19-6) Wang (18-7) 36,215 90-59
150 September 16 Yankees 4–3 Chamberlain (2-0) Schilling (8-8) Rivera (28) 36,533 90-60
151 September 17 @ Blue Jays 6–1 McGowan (11-9) Wakefield (16-11) 29,316 90-61
152 September 18 @ Blue Jays 4–3 Burnett (9-7) Gagné (3-2) Downs (1) 32,290 90-62
153 September 19 @ Blue Jays 6–1 Litsch (6-9) Buchholz (3-1) Accardo (28) 34,927 90-63
154 September 21 @ Devil Rays 8–1 Beckett (20-6) Kazmir (13-9) 27,369 91-63
155 September 22 @ Devil Rays 8–6 Gagné (4-2) Reyes (2-4) Papelbon (36) 34,626 92-63
156 September 23 @ Devil Rays 5–4 Jackson (5-15) Wakefield (16-12) Reyes (25) 30,310 92-64
157 September 25 Athletics 7–3 Schilling (9-8) Gaudin (11-13) 36,708 93-64
158 September 26 Athletics 11–6 Timlin (2-1) Blevins (0-1) 36,570 94-64
159 September 27 Twins 5–4 Bonser (8-12) Beckett (20-7) Nathan (36) 36,743 94-65
160 September 28 Twins 5–2 Matsuzaka (15-12) Slowey (4-1) Papelbon (37) 36,843 95-65
161 September 29 Twins 4–6 Wakefield (17-12) Blackburn (0-2) Okajima (5) 36,619 96-65
162 September 30 Twins 3–2 Garza (5-7) Tavárez (7-11) Nathan (37) 36,364 96-66

Postseason

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ALDS vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

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  • Boston wins series 3–0
Game Score Date
1 Los Angeles Angels 0, Boston Red Sox 4 October 3
2 Los Angeles Angels 3, Boston Red Sox 6 October 5
3 Boston Red Sox 9, Los Angeles Angels 3 October 7

ALCS vs. Cleveland Indians

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  • Boston wins series 4–3
Game Score Date
1 Cleveland Indians 3, Boston Red Sox 10 October 12
2 Cleveland Indians 13, Boston Red Sox 6 October 13
3 Boston Red Sox 2, Cleveland Indians 4 October 15
4 Boston Red Sox 3, Cleveland Indians 7 October 16
5 Boston Red Sox 7, Cleveland Indians 3 October 18
6 Cleveland Indians 2, Boston Red Sox 12 October 20
7 Cleveland Indians 2, Boston Red Sox 11 October 21

World Series vs. Colorado Rockies

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  • Boston wins series 4–0
Game Score Date
1 Colorado Rockies 1, Boston Red Sox 13 October 24
2 Colorado Rockies 1, Boston Red Sox 2 October 25
3 Boston Red Sox 10, Colorado Rockies 5 October 27
4 Boston Red Sox 4, Colorado Rockies 3 October 28
  • The Red Sox set an MLB post-season record by outscoring their collective opponents 99–46.[16]

Roster

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2007 Boston Red Sox
Roster Manager, Coaches
Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

Coaches

Player stats

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Batting

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Starters by position

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

Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI
C Jason Varitek 131 435 111 .255 17 68
1B Kevin Youkilis 145 528 152 .288 16 83
2B Dustin Pedroia 139 520 165 .317 8 50
SS Julio Lugo 147 570 135 .237 8 73
3B Mike Lowell 154 589 191 .324 21 120
LF Manny Ramírez 133 483 143 .296 20 88
CF Coco Crisp 145 526 141 .268 6 60
RF J. D. Drew 140 466 126 .270 11 64
DH David Ortiz 149 549 182 .332 35 117

Other batters

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

Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI
Alex Cora 83 207 51 .246 3 18
Eric Hinske 84 186 38 .204 6 21
Willy Mo Peña 73 156 34 .218 5 17
Jacoby Ellsbury 33 116 41 .353 3 18
Doug Mirabelli 48 114 23 .202 5 16
Bobby Kielty 33 87 19 .218 1 12
Kevin Cash 12 27 3 .111 0 4
Brandon Moss 15 25 7 .280 0 1
Jeff Bailey 3 9 1 .111 1 1
Royce Clayton 8 6 0 .000 0 0
David Murphy 3 2 1 .500 0 0

Pitching

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Starting pitchers

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

Player GS IP W L ERA SO
Daisuke Matsuzaka 32 204.2 15 12 4.40 201
Josh Beckett 30 200.2 20 7 3.27 194
Tim Wakefield 31 189.0 16 12 4.76 110
Curt Schilling 24 151.0 9 8 3.87 101
Julián Tavárez* 23 137.0 6 11 5.22 68
Jon Lester* 11 61.0 4 0 4.72 66
Kason Gabbard 7 41.0 4 0 3.73 29

Spot-starting pitchers

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

Player GS IP W L ERA SO
Clay Buchholz 3 22.2 2 1 1.59 22
Devern Hansack 1 7.2 0 1 4.70 5

Relief pitchers

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

Player G W L SV ERA SO
Jonathan Papelbon 59 1 3 37 1.85 84
Hideki Okajima 66 3 2 5 2.22 63
Javier López 61 2 1 0 3.10 26
Mike Timlin 50 2 1 1 3.42 31
Kyle Snyder 61 2 3 0 3.81 41
Manny Delcarmen 44 0 0 1 2.05 41
Joel Piñeiro 31 1 1 0 5.03 20
Brendan Donnelly 27 2 1 0 3.05 15
J. C. Romero 23 1 0 1 3.15 11
Éric Gagné 20 2 2 0 6.75 22
Bryan Corey 9 1 0 0 1.93 6

Post-season

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2007 Post-season Game Log
American League Division Series
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 October 3 Angels 4–0 Beckett (1–0) Lackey (0–1) 37,597 1–0
2 October 5 Angels 6–3 Papelbon (1–0) Speier (0–1) 37,706 2–0
3 October 7 @Angels 9–1 Schilling (1–0) Weaver (0–1) 45,262 3–0
American League Championship Series
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 October 12 Indians 10–3 Beckett (2–0) Sabathia (1–1) 36,986 1–0 (4–0)
2 October 13 Indians 13–6 (11) Mastny (1–0) Gagne (0–1) 37,051 1–1 (4–1)
3 October 15 @ Indians 4–2 Westbrook (1–1) Matsuzaka (1–1) Borowski (2) 44,402 1–2 (4–2)
4 October 16 @ Indians 7–3 Byrd (1–0) Wakefield (0–1) 44,008 1–3 (4–3)
5 October 18 @ Indians 7–1 Beckett (3–0) Sabathia (1–2) 44,588 2–3 (5–3)
6 October 20 Indians 12–2 Schilling (2–0) Carmona (0–1) 37,163 3–3 (6–3)
7 October 21 Indians 11–2 Matsuzaka (2–1) Westbrook (1–2) Papelbon (1) 37,165 4–3 (7–3)
World Series
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 October 24 Rockies 13–1 Beckett (1–0) Francis (0–1) 36,733 1–0 (8–3)
2 October 25 Rockies 2–1 Schilling (1–0) Jiménez (0–1) Papelbon (1) 36,730 2–0 (9–3)
3 October 27 @ Rockies 10–5 Matsuzaka (1–0) Fogg (0–1) Papelbon (2) 49,983 3–0 (10–3)
4 October 28 @ Rockies 4–3 Lester (1–0) Cook (0–1) Papelbon (3) 50,041 4–0 (11–3)

Division Series

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Main article: 2007 American League Division Series

The Red Sox not only won the AL East Division for the first time in 12 years, but clinched the best record in the American League—and all of baseball. While their 96–66 record was the same as that of the Cleveland Indians, the Red Sox held the season series tiebreaker for American League home-field advantage, having bested the Tribe 5 games to 2. Thus, the wild card New York Yankees were sent to Cleveland while the Sox would host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

 
All Star Kevin Youkilis

Josh Beckett started the series with a complete-game shutout in Game 1, resuming his dominance of the postseason after a three-season absence. Although Kevin Youkilis hit a solo home run in the first inning that would prove to be all the offense Beckett needed, David Ortiz provided additional support with a two-run homer in the third to cap off a 4–0 Game 1 victory. Game 2 was much closer, with Daisuke Matsuzaka and Kelvim Escobar each surrendering three runs by the time the fifth inning was done. In the bottom of the ninth, after a Julio Lugo single and David Ortiz's playoff record-tying fourth walk of the night (this time, intentional), Manny Ramírez ended the game with a towering home run that left Fenway Park over the Green Monster. With a 6–3 Game 2 win, the Red Sox would go to Angel Stadium of Anaheim with a 2–0 series lead.

In Game 3, Curt Schilling brought back the dominant pitching, scattering six hits and striking out four in seven innings of shutout work. He had plenty of run support as well, with Ortiz and Ramírez hitting back-to-back solo home runs in the fourth, and a progression of hits that scored seven more in the eighth inning. Éric Gagné gave up the only run, giving up a ground-rule double to Maicer Izturis in the bottom of the ninth, then advancing Izturis to third on a wild pitch before giving up a sacrifice fly to Howie Kendrick that scored Izturis. After that, a strikeout and a flyout ended the game with a 9–1 Red Sox victory to clinch a series sweep.

The Red Sox sweep was one of three Division Series sweeps in the 2007 post-season. Only one series would go more than three—the Indians beat the Yankees in four games.

League Championship Series

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Main article: 2007 American League Championship Series

In Game 1, Travis Hafner got the first run on Josh Beckett with a solo home run in the first inning. Manny Ramírez answered back, driving in Kevin Youkilis with a single in the bottom of the first. After that, Beckett settled in, while Indians starter C.C. Sabathia fell apart. In the bottom of the third, he gave up a ground-rule double to Julio Lugo, and then after a bunt groundout for Dustin Pedroia, he walked Kevin Youkilis, hit David Ortiz, and walked Manny Ramírez to give up the lead. Then he gave up a double to Mike Lowell that scored Youkilis and Ortiz. After Bobby Kielty was walked, Jason Varitek hit a groundout that could not be turned into a double-play, scoring Ramírez. The Sox tacked five more on, and win Game 1, 10–3.

Game 2 was a slugfest, with Curt Schilling and Fausto Carmona both failing to make it out of the fifth inning, and a 6–6 tie after six innings. The game drew into extra frames, but the Red Sox bullpen got hammered in the top of the eleventh, with Éric Gagné, Javier López and Jon Lester giving up seven runs. The Red Sox failed to answer back, and lost Game 2, 13–6. The series was even headed to Cleveland.

In Game 3, Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up 4 runs, and Jason Varitek provided the only Red Sox offense with a two-run homer in the seventh, as the Indians took the Jacobs Field opener, 4–2, for a 2–1 series lead. Game 4 did not start much better for the Red Sox, with a seven-run fifth inning that saw Manny Delcarmen allow four runs (two charged to starter Tim Wakefield). In the top of the sixth, the Sox showed some life with back-to-back-to-back solo home runs by Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Manny Ramírez. That would be all of the Sox offense, as they fell, 7–3, to end up in a 3–1 ALCS hole once again.

Once more, the Red Sox faced ALCS elimination. But one person who was not panicking was Manny Ramírez. In his typical "Manny Being Manny" attitude, Ramirez told reporters that if the Red Sox were eliminated, it wouldn't be "the end of the world." His comments seemed laissez faire at the time, as many members of the Boston media chose to interpret them as meaning that Manny would not put forth his best effort in the games to come and would thus disrupt his team's ability to compete. Fate proved them wrong though. With Josh Beckett on the mound again for Game 5, the Red Sox dominated, with Kevin Youkilis driving in three and David Ortiz driving in two to power a 7–1 Red Sox victory to force the ALCS back to Fenway Park.

The Red Sox were hardly finished. In Game 6, Curt Schilling redeemed himself, giving up two runs in seven innings, while J. D. Drew hammered a grand slam in the first inning, and the Sox tacked on six more in the third, leading to a 12–2 victory. Éric Gagné finished the game by pitching a perfect 9th inning. Game 7 gave Daisuke Matsuzaka his chance at redemption, and he did not disappoint, giving up 2 runs in five innings, while Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon each pitched two scoreless innings. The Sox hammered out a run in each of the first three innings, then exploded with a Dustin Pedroia two-run homer in the seventh, and six more runs—including another two-run homer by Kevin Youkilis—in the eighth. With an 11–2 Game 7 victory, the Red Sox came back once again from elimination, bringing them to their second World Series in four years.

2007 World Series

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Main article: 2007 World Series

At first, the World Series seemed like a tough task. After going the distance with the Indians, the Red Sox had to face the red-hot Colorado Rockies, who had just finished a 21-of-22 run that included forcing and winning a Wild Card one-game playoff with the San Diego Padres, then sweeping the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS and the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS. The Red Sox were counting on their historically-dominant postseason pitching and the possibility that eight days off would leave the Rox rusty.

Game 1 proved, once more, to be a domination. Josh Beckett gave up just one run in seven innings of work while striking out nine, while Rockies starter Jeff Francis gave up a home run on his second pitch to Dustin Pedroia in the bottom of the first, and a total of six runs in four innings. It got worse from there, as the Red Sox hammered reliever Franklin Morales for seven runs in the fifth inning. The Red Sox took Game 1, 13–1.

In Game 2, Curt Schilling gave up one run in 51⁄3 innings, and Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon finished the game flawlessly. This time, the dominance was necessary, as the Red Sox scored two times, with Jason Varitek driving in Mike Lowell in the fourth, then Lowell driving in David Ortiz in the fifth for their only offense of the game. With a 2–1 Game 2 win, the Red Sox went to Coors Field in Denver with the advantage, hoping the rarefied air would not affect them too much.

 
Victorious Red Sox players being honored at the White House by President George W. Bush

Game 3 began with another dominating offensive performance. Boston struck first, with six runs in the third inning that knocked out Rox starter Josh Fogg. Mike Lowell and pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka each had two RBIs, and Manny Ramírez was called out at home on a controversial, but ultimately correct, tagout call. The Rockies tried to come back, bringing in five runs, including a Matt Holliday home run. But the Sox put it away, with rookies Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury combining to drive in three in the eighth inning, and Mike Lowell scoring the final Sox run in the ninth to seal a 10–5 win that put the Red Sox one game away from their second World Series Championship in four years.

Game 4 gave Jon Lester his shot at redemption, as a back injury to Tim Wakefield gave Lester the start. He was scoreless in 5 2⁄3 innings, with Mike Lowell scoring two runs and Jacoby Ellsbury scoring one in support. In the eighth inning, Bobby Kielty hit a pinch-hit home run to put an end to the Sox's scoring. Hideki Okajima almost gave the game up, allowing two runs in the eighth before Jonathan Papelbon came in to save the game in 1 2⁄3 innings. The Red Sox celebrated a 4–3 win and a four-game World Series sweep at Coors Field. Mike Lowell, with his .400 average and six runs scored, was named the MVP of the World Series.

Two days later, on October 30, the Red Sox were the guests of honor in a Rolling Rally through Boston, after which the team began to lay their plans for the 2008 season.

Red Sox rookies

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During the course of the 2007 season, the Red Sox were helped out and sometimes carried by rookies. Five rookies stick out in particular. Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Hideki Okajima all had their moments and left their mark of this season in Red Sox history.

Dustin Pedroia began the season as the Red Sox starting second baseman. Pedroia, 24, struggled in April only batting .182, with 10 hits in 55 at-bats. Although he struggled in the first month, Pedroia heated up batting an outstanding .415 in the month of May. Pedroia was honored as American League Rookie of the Month for the month of May. Pedroia continued this hot hitting for the remainder of the season. Pedroia also excelled his play in the postseason by 2 HR and driving in 10 runs in 14 games to help the Red Sox win the World Series. Pedroia ended batting .317 which ranked 10th among all American League players. Pedroia also finished with 8 home runs and 50 runs batted in. Pedroia won the American League Rookie of the Year award.

Pedroia was not the only rookie position player to make an impact this season. Jacoby Ellsbury, 24, made his MLB debut on June 30. Instantly Ellsbury succeeded. In only 33 games and 116 at-bats, Ellsbury hit .353, had 3 home runs, and had 41 hits. Jacoby also showed off his versatility by stealing 9 bases without getting caught. Ellsbury also had a terrific postseason. Ellsbury replaced center fielder Coco Crisp in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Indians. He did not heat up until Game 3 of the World Series, where he had 4 hits and 2 doubles. Ellsbury batted an amazing .438 in the 4-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies.

The Boston Red Sox also had one incredible rookie pitcher named Clay Buchholz. Buchholz, 23, made his MLB debut on August 17. In his first start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Fenway Park, Buchholz pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 earned runs, while striking out 5 batters. However, it was not until his second Major League start before Clay Buchholz became a household name throughout Red Sox Nation. On September 1 against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park, Buchholz pitched a no-hitter. He struck out 9 Orioles including Oriole right fielder Nick Markakis on a curveball to complete this outstanding feat. Buchholz became the second rookie in Major League history to pitch a no-hitter. Buchholz pitched in 4 games with the Red Sox. He was 3–1 with a 1.59 ERA and 22 strikeouts. Despite his success in the regular season, Buchholz was left off the Red Sox postseason roster due to what Red Sox management determined was a fatigued arm.

Season milestones

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The season got off to a wonderful start. On April 22, 2007, in a game against the New York Yankees, the Red Sox hit four consecutive home runs for the first time in franchise history (and the fifth time in major league history),[17] when Manny Ramírez, J. D. Drew, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek all hit home runs off Yankees pitcher Chase Wright. Drew also hit the second of four consecutive home runs the last time this happened, when the Los Angeles Dodgers did it against the San Diego Padres on September 18, 2006. That series was also the first series since the 1990 season that the Red Sox swept the Yankees in a three-game series at Fenway.[18]

Six members of the Red Sox were chosen to play in the season's all-star game. David Ortiz was elected to start at first base by the fans, third baseman Mike Lowell and outfielder Manny Ramírez were chosen by their fellow players as reserves. Pitchers Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon made the initial team, and reliever Hideki Okajima was voted in by the fans as the winner of the 32nd-man internet vote. It was the first time the Red Sox had more than two pitchers make the all-star team.[19] Josh Beckett was credited with the win for the American League.

On September 1, 2007, against the Baltimore Orioles, rookie pitcher Clay Buchholz threw a no hitter in his second major league start. He was the first rookie in Red Sox history to throw a no hitter, as well as the 17th pitcher in Red Sox history to throw one. He got nine strikeouts and gave up three walks and hit one batter.

Julio Lugo and Coco Crisp became the first pair of Red Sox players to have at least 25 stolen bases since Tris Speaker and Hal Janvrin in 1914.[20]

Leading the league with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, and an AL-record 1,079 errorless chances at first, Kevin Youkilis won the 2007 AL Gold Glove award for first basemen.[21]

Awards and honors

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All-Star Game

Farm system

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See also: Minor League Baseball

The Class A-Advanced affiliate changed from the Wilmington Blue Rocks to the Lancaster JetHawks.

Level Team League Manager
AAA Pawtucket Red Sox International League Ron Johnson
AA Portland Sea Dogs Eastern League Arnie Beyeler
A-Advanced Lancaster JetHawks California League Chad Epperson
A Greenville Drive South Atlantic League Gabe Kapler
A-Short Season Lowell Spinners New York–Penn League Gary DiSarcina
Rookie GCL Red Sox Gulf Coast League Dave Tomlin
Rookie DSL Red Sox Dominican Summer League José Zapata

Source:[22][23]

References

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  1. ^ "Relentless '07 Red Sox, underrated champs". MLB.com.
  2. ^ Papelbon takes closing argument
  3. ^ "American League". Austin American-Statesman. April 21, 2007. p. B5. Retrieved September 26, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Hideki Okajima Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  5. ^ Julio Lugo Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  6. ^ Daisuke Matsuzaka Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  7. ^ J. C. Romero Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  8. ^ Joel Piñeiro Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  9. ^ J. D. Drew Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  10. ^ J. C. Romero Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  11. ^ Eric Gagne Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  12. ^ Joel Piñeiro Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  13. ^ Bobby Kielty Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  14. ^ Chris Carter Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  15. ^ Royce Clayton Statistics - Baseball Reference.com
  16. ^ ESPN – This time, Red Sox bulldozed their way to title – MLB
  17. ^ Sox tie mark with four straight homers Archived October 31, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – accessed April 23, 2007
  18. ^ Boston's five homers sink Yankees Archived April 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – accessed April 23, 2007
  19. ^ AP press release on Hideki Okajima found on SI.com
  20. ^ Sports Illustrated, September 24, 2007, p. 24
  21. ^ "AL News & Notes". The Washington Post. October 1, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  22. ^ Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007
  23. ^ Boston Red Sox Media Guide. 2007. pp. 515–534. Retrieved March 14, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.515-534&rft.date=2007&rft_id=https://archive.org/details/bostonredsoxmedi2007bost/page/514/mode/2up&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:2007 Boston Red Sox season" class="Z3988">

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2007 Boston Red Sox season.
  • Game logs:
1st half: Boston Red Sox Game Log on ESPN.com
2nd half: Boston Red Sox Game Log on ESPN.com
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