A New Book on the Red Sox’s Epic 1967 Year
In a new book, Thomas Whalen, College of General Studies associate professor of social sciences, examines the sensational rise of the “Impossible Dream” Red Sox 50 years ago, and how they captured the country’s imagination amid the tumult of the 1960s. He recently spoke to BU Today and to Salem News about Spirit of ’67: The Cardiac Kids, El Birdos, and the World Series That Captivated America (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2017).
The 1967 season was special for the Red Sox. After legendary left fielder and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams retired in 1960, the Red Sox struggled in following seasons, and Fenway Park attracted few fans. But in 1967, seemingly out of nowhere, the Red Sox won the American League Pennant and entered the World Series to face the Cardinals of the National League.
After a dramatic back-and-forth series, the Cardinals won the deciding seventh game at Fenway Park, 7-2, a disappointing end to the Red Sox miracle season. Even though the Red Sox did not win the World Series, the 1967 season was what revived baseball in Boston. People again became interested in the Red Sox and according to Whalen, “It’s just amazing how that one year changed everything. We probably never would have been the sports town that we are, because the Red Sox probably would have moved. Imagine no baseball in Boston. We lucked out.”
To hear more about Whalen’s new book, visit CGS room 505 at 1 pm on Saturday, October 14, during Friends and Family Weekend.