1973 Boston Red Sox Season Summary

Record: 89-73, 2nd in American League East (6 teams)
Runs Scored: 738
Runs Allowed: 647
Pythagorean W-L: 91-71

Manager(s): Eddie Kasko (88-73), Eddie Popowski (1-0)
Ball Park: Fenway Park

Notable Moments from 1973

18 January 1973 - Veteran first baseman Orlando Cepeda signs with the Red Sox with the intent of being the team's designated hitter, the first player to be signed by a team exclusively for that role.

6 April 1973 - Orlando Cepeda, signed specifically for this role, goes 0-for-6 as the designated hitter rule debuts in the American League, but Boston thrashes New York 15-5 on Opening Day at Fenway Park. The game also features Carlton Fisk's first career grand slam.

8 April 1973 - Orlando Cepeda's first hit as a designated hitter is a walk-off home run for the Red Sox as Boston wins 4-3 over New York at Fenway Park.

5 June 1973 - With their second pick of the amateur draft, Boston selects Fred Lynn from USC.

1 August 1973 - Boston defeats New York 3-2 at Fenway Park in a game that features a brawl that begins when Yankees backstop Thurman Munson barrels into Carlton Fisk hard at home plate; both players come up swinging and are eventually ejected.

30 September 1973 - Eddie Kasko is fired as manager of the Red Sox and replaced by AAA Pawtucket manager Darrell Johnson.

26 October 1973 - Rick Wise and Bernie Carbo are acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Reggie Smith and Ken Tatum.

7 December 1973 - The San Francisco Giants sell future Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal to the Red Sox. The right-hander posts a 5-1 record during his brief tenure in Boston.

20 December 1973 - Joe Cronin retires as president of the American League; Lee McPhail takes his place.