The Boston Red Sox are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Boston, Massachusetts. From 1912 to the present, the Red Sox have played in Fenway Park.[1] The "Red Sox" name originates from the iconic uniform feature. They are sometimes nicknamed the "BoSox", a combination of "Boston" and "Sox" (as opposed to the "ChiSox"), the "Crimson Hose", and "the Olde Towne Team".[2] Most fans simply refer to them as the Sox.
One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Boston in 1901. They were a dominant team in the early 20th century, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first World Series in 1903. They won four more championships by 1918, and then went into one of the longest championship droughts in baseball history. Many attributed the phenomenon to the "Curse of the Bambino" said to have been caused by the trade of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1920. The drought was ended and the "curse" reversed in 2004, when the team won their sixth World Series championship.[3] Championships in 2007 and 2013 followed. Every home game from May 15, 2003, through April 10, 2013, was sold out—a span of 820 games over nearly ten years.[4] The team most recently won the World Series in 2018, the ninth championship in franchise history.
World Series champions (1903–present) † |
American League champions (1901–present)[a] * |
Division champions (1969–present) ^ |
Wild Card berth (1994–present) ¤ |
Season | Level | League | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Pct. | GB | Postseason | Awards | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1901 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 79 | 57 | .581 | 4 | Cy Young (TC) | [5] | ||
1902 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 77 | 60 | .562 | 6½ | [6] | |||
1903 | MLB † | AL * | 1st | 91 | 47 | .659 | — | Won World Series (Pirates) 5–3 † | [7] | ||
1904 | MLB | AL * | 1st | 95 | 59 | .617 | — | World Series canceled[b] * | [8] | ||
1905 | MLB | AL | 4th | 78 | 74 | .513 | 16 | [9] | |||
1906 | MLB | AL | 8th | 49 | 105 | .318 | 45½ | [10] | |||
1907 | MLB | AL | 7th | 59 | 90 | .396 | 32½ | [11] | |||
1908 | MLB | AL | 5th | 75 | 79 | .487 | 15½ | [12] | |||
1909 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 88 | 63 | .583 | 9½ | [13] | |||
1910 | MLB | AL | 4th | 81 | 72 | .529 | 22½ | [14] | |||
1911 | MLB | AL | 4th | 78 | 75 | .510 | 24 | [15] | |||
1912 | MLB † | AL * | 1st | 105 | 47 | .691 | — | Won World Series (Giants) 4–3 † | Tris Speaker (MVP) | [16] | |
1913 | MLB | AL | 4th | 79 | 71 | .527 | 15½ | [17] | |||
1914 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 91 | 62 | .595 | 8½ | [18] | |||
1915 | MLB † | AL * | 1st | 101 | 50 | .669 | — | Won World Series (Phillies) 4–1 † | [19] | ||
1916 | MLB † | AL * | 1st | 91 | 63 | .591 | — | Won World Series (Robins) 4–1 † | [20] | ||
1917 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 90 | 62 | .592 | 9 | [21] | |||
1918 | MLB † | AL * | 1st | 75 | 51 | .595 | — | Won World Series (Cubs) 4–2 † | [22] | ||
1919 | MLB | AL | 6th | 66 | 71 | .482 | 20½ | [23] | |||
1920 | MLB | AL | 5th | 72 | 81 | .471 | 25½ | [24] | |||
1921 | MLB | AL | 5th | 75 | 79 | .487 | 23½ | [25] | |||
1922 | MLB | AL | 8th | 61 | 93 | .396 | 33 | [26] | |||
1923 | MLB | AL | 8th | 61 | 91 | .401 | 37 | [27] | |||
1924 | MLB | AL | 7th | 67 | 87 | .435 | 25 | [28] | |||
1925 | MLB | AL | 8th | 47 | 105 | .309 | 49½ | [29] | |||
1926 | MLB | AL | 8th | 46 | 107 | .301 | 44½ | [30] | |||
1927 | MLB | AL | 8th | 51 | 103 | .331 | 59 | [31] | |||
1928 | MLB | AL | 8th | 57 | 96 | .373 | 43½ | [32] | |||
1929 | MLB | AL | 8th | 58 | 96 | .377 | 48 | [33] | |||
1930 | MLB | AL | 8th | 52 | 102 | .338 | 50 | [34] | |||
1931 | MLB | AL | 6th | 62 | 90 | .408 | 45 | [35] | |||
1932 | MLB | AL | 8th | 43 | 111 | .279 | 64 | [36] | |||
1933 | MLB | AL | 7th | 63 | 86 | .423 | 34½ | [37] | |||
1934 | MLB | AL | 4th | 76 | 76 | .500 | 24 | [38] | |||
1935 | MLB | AL | 4th | 78 | 75 | .510 | 16 | [39] | |||
1936 | MLB | AL | 6th | 74 | 80 | .481 | 28½ | [40] | |||
1937 | MLB | AL | 5th | 80 | 72 | .526 | 21 | [41] | |||
1938 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 88 | 61 | .591 | 9½ | Jimmie Foxx (MVP) | [42] | ||
1939 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 89 | 62 | .589 | 17 | [43] | |||
1940 | MLB | AL | 4th | 82 | 72 | .532 | 8 | [44] | |||
1941 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 84 | 70 | .545 | 17 | [45] | |||
1942 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 93 | 59 | .612 | 9 | Ted Williams (TC) | [46] | ||
1943 | MLB | AL | 7th | 68 | 84 | .447 | 29 | [47] | |||
1944 | MLB | AL | 4th | 77 | 77 | .500 | 12 | [48] | |||
1945 | MLB | AL | 7th | 71 | 83 | .461 | 17½ | [49] | |||
1946 | MLB | AL * | 1st | 104 | 50 | .675 | — | Lost World Series (Cardinals) 4–3 * | Ted Williams (MVP) | [50] | |
1947 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 83 | 71 | .539 | 14 | Ted Williams (TC) | [51] | ||
1948 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 96 | 59 | .619 | 1 | [52] | |||
1949 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 96 | 58 | .623 | 1 | Ted Williams (MVP) | [53] | ||
1950 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 94 | 60 | .610 | 4 | Walt Dropo (ROY) | [54] | ||
1951 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 87 | 67 | .565 | 11 | [55] | |||
1952 | MLB | AL | 6th | 76 | 78 | .494 | 19 | [56] | |||
1953 | MLB | AL | 4th | 84 | 69 | .549 | 16 | [57] | |||
1954 | MLB | AL | 4th | 69 | 85 | .448 | 42 | [58] | |||
1955 | MLB | AL | 4th | 84 | 70 | .545 | 12 | [59] | |||
1956 | MLB | AL | 4th | 84 | 70 | .545 | 13 | [60] | |||
1957 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 82 | 72 | .532 | 16 | [61] | |||
1958 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 79 | 75 | .513 | 13 | Jackie Jensen (MVP) | [62] | ||
1959 | MLB | AL | 5th | 75 | 79 | .487 | 19 | [63] | |||
1960 | MLB | AL | 7th | 65 | 89 | .422 | 32 | [64] | |||
1961 | MLB | AL | 6th | 76 | 86 | .469 | 33 | Don Schwall (ROY) | [65] | ||
1962 | MLB | AL | 8th | 76 | 84 | .475 | 19 | [66] | |||
1963 | MLB | AL | 7th | 76 | 85 | .472 | 28 | [67] | |||
1964 | MLB | AL | 8th | 72 | 90 | .444 | 27 | [68] | |||
1965 | MLB | AL | 9th | 62 | 100 | .383 | 40 | [69] | |||
1966 | MLB | AL | 9th | 72 | 90 | .444 | 26 | [70] | |||
1967 | MLB | AL * | 1st | 92 | 70 | .568 | — | Lost World Series (Cardinals) 4–3 * | Carl Yastrzemski (MVP, TC) Jim Lonborg (CYA) |
[71] | |
1968 | MLB | AL | 4th | 86 | 76 | .531 | 17 | [72] | |||
1969 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 87 | 75 | .537 | 22 | [73] | ||
1970 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 87 | 75 | .537 | 21 | [74] | ||
1971 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 85 | 77 | .525 | 18 | [75] | ||
1972 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 85 | 70 | .548 | ½ | Carlton Fisk (ROY) | [76] | |
1973 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 89 | 73 | .549 | 8 | [77] | ||
1974 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 84 | 78 | .519 | 7 | [78] | ||
1975 | MLB | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 95 | 65 | .594 | — | Won ALCS (Athletics) 3–0 Lost World Series (Reds) 4–3 * |
Fred Lynn (MVP, ROY) | [79] |
1976 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 83 | 79 | .512 | 15½ | [80] | ||
1977 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 97 | 64 | .602 | 2½ | [81] | ||
1978 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 99 | 64 | .607 | 1 | Jim Rice (MVP) | [82] | |
1979 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 91 | 69 | .569 | 11½ | [83] | ||
1980 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 83 | 77 | .519 | 19 | [84] | ||
1981[c] | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 59 | 49 | .546 | 2½ | [85] | ||
1982 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 89 | 73 | .549 | 6 | [86] | ||
1983 | MLB | AL | East | 6th | 78 | 84 | .481 | 20 | [87] | ||
1984 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 86 | 76 | .531 | 18 | [88] | ||
1985 | MLB | AL | East | 6th | 81 | 81 | .500 | 18½ | [89] | ||
1986 | MLB | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 95 | 66 | .590 | — | Won ALCS (Angels) 4–3 Lost World Series (Mets) 4–3 * |
Roger Clemens (MVP, CYA) John McNamara (MOY) |
[90] |
1987 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 78 | 84 | .481 | 20 | Roger Clemens (CYA) | [91] | |
1988 | MLB | AL | East ^ | 1st | 89 | 73 | .549 | — | Lost ALCS (Athletics) 4–0 | [92] | |
1989 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 83 | 79 | .512 | 6 | [93] | ||
1990 | MLB | AL | East ^ | 1st | 88 | 74 | .543 | — | Lost ALCS (Athletics) 4–0 | [94] | |
1991 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 84 | 78 | .519 | 7 | Roger Clemens (CYA) | [95] | |
1992 | MLB | AL | East | 7th | 73 | 89 | .451 | 23 | [96] | ||
1993 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 80 | 82 | .494 | 15 | [97] | ||
1994[d] | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 54 | 61 | .470 | 17 | Playoffs cancelled | [98] | |
1995 | MLB | AL | East ^ | 1st | 86 | 58 | .597 | — | Lost ALDS (Indians) 3–0 | Mo Vaughn (MVP) | [99] |
1996 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 85 | 77 | .525 | 7 | [100] | ||
1997 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 78 | 84 | .481 | 20 | Nomar Garciaparra (ROY) | [101] | |
1998 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 92 | 70 | .568 | 22 | Lost ALDS (Indians) 3–1 | [102] | |
1999 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 94 | 68 | .580 | 4 | Won ALDS (Indians) 3–2 Lost ALCS (Yankees) 4–1 |
Pedro Martínez (CYA, TC) Jimy Williams (MOY) |
[103] |
2000 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 85 | 77 | .525 | 2½ | Pedro Martínez (CYA) | [104] | |
2001 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 82 | 79 | .509 | 13½ | [105] | ||
2002 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 93 | 69 | .574 | 10½ | [106] | ||
2003 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 95 | 67 | .586 | 6 | Won ALDS (Athletics) 3–2 Lost ALCS (Yankees) 4–3 |
[107] | |
2004 | MLB † | AL * | East | 2nd ¤ | 98 | 64 | .605 | 3 | Won ALDS (Angels) 3–0 Won ALCS (Yankees) 4–3 Won World Series (Cardinals) 4–0 † |
Manny Ramirez (WS MVP) | [108] |
2005 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 95 | 67 | .586 | —[e] | Lost ALDS (White Sox) 3–0 | [109] | |
2006 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 86 | 76 | .531 | 11 | [110] | ||
2007 | MLB † | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 96 | 66 | .593 | — | Won ALDS (Angels) 3–0 Won ALCS (Indians) 4–3 Won World Series (Rockies) 4–0 † |
Dustin Pedroia (ROY) Mike Lowell (WS MVP) |
[111] |
2008 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 95 | 67 | .586 | 2 | Won ALDS (Angels) 3–1 Lost ALCS (Rays) 4–3 |
Dustin Pedroia (MVP) | [112] |
2009 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 95 | 67 | .586 | 8 | Lost ALDS (Angels) 3–0 | [113] | |
2010 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 89 | 73 | .549 | 7 | [114] | ||
2011 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 90 | 72 | .556 | 7 | Jacoby Ellsbury (CPOY) | [115] | |
2012 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 69 | 93 | .426 | 26 | [116] | ||
2013 | MLB † | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 97 | 65 | .599 | — | Won ALDS (Rays) 3–1 Won ALCS (Tigers) 4–2 Won World Series (Cardinals) 4–2 † |
David Ortiz (WS MVP) | [117] |
2014 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 71 | 91 | .438 | 25 | [118] | ||
2015 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 78 | 84 | .481 | 15 | [119] | ||
2016 | MLB | AL | East ^ | 1st | 93 | 69 | .574 | — | Lost ALDS (Indians) 3–0 | Rick Porcello (CYA, CPOY) | [120] |
2017 | MLB | AL | East ^ | 1st | 93 | 69 | .574 | — | Lost ALDS (Astros) 3–1 | Craig Kimbrel (RPOY) | [121] |
2018 | MLB † | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 108 | 54 | .667 | — | Won ALDS (Yankees) 3–1 Won ALCS (Astros) 4–1 Won World Series (Dodgers) 4–1 † |
Steve Pearce (WS MVP) Mookie Betts (MVP) David Price (CPOY) |
[122] |
2019 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 84 | 78 | .519 | 19 | [123] | ||
2020 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 24 | 36 | .400 | 16 | [124] | ||
2021 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 92 | 70 | .568 | 8 | Won ALWC (Yankees) Won ALDS (Rays) 3–1 Lost ALCS (Astros) 4–2 |
[125] | |
2022 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 78 | 84 | .481 | 21 | [126] | ||
2023 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 78 | 84 | .481 | 23 | [127] |
The number of regular season games scheduled each season has varied over time, from as low as 140 to the current 162, which has been in place since 1961.
Not all scheduled games are played each season, for reasons such as work stoppages or, infrequently, rained-out games that are not rescheduled. Prior to the delayed-start 2020 season, when teams played a reduced schedule of 60 games and only faced opponents within their own division, the most recent season during which the Red Sox did not play a full 162-game schedule was 2001, when they played 161 games.
Decade | Total games | Wins | Losses | Pct. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1900s | 1325 | 691 | 634 | .522 |
1910s | 1481 | 857 | 624 | .579 |
1920s | 1533 | 595 | 938 | .388 |
1930s | 1520 | 705 | 815 | .464 |
1940s | 1537 | 854 | 683 | .556 |
1950s | 1539 | 814 | 725 | .529 |
1960s | 1609 | 764 | 845 | .475 |
1970s | 1609 | 895 | 714 | .556 |
1980s | 1563 | 821 | 742 | .525 |
1990s | 1555 | 814 | 741 | .523 |
2000s | 1619 | 920 | 699 | .568 |
2010s | 1620 | 872 | 748 | .538 |
2020s | 546 | 272 | 274 | .498 |
All-time | 19,056 | 9,874 | 9,182 | .518 |
Updated through completion of the 2023 season.
Source:[128]
Total games[f] | Wins | Losses | Win % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boston Americans regular season record (1901–1907) | 1,020 | 528 | 492 | .518 |
Boston Red Sox regular season record (1908–present) | 18,036 | 9,346 | 8,690 | .518 |
All-time regular season record | 19,056 | 9,874 | 9,182 | .518 |
All-time postseason record[129] | 199 | 108 | 91 | .543 |
All-time regular and postseason record | 19,255 | 9,982 | 9,273 | .518 |
Updated through completion of the 2023 season.