Highlights In the second year of
Eddie Kasko's management, the Red Sox finished 16 games behind the eventual American League champions
Baltimore Orioles. The Sox did not have a .300 hitter in 1971, with
Reggie Smith's .283
batting average being the best among their regulars.
Tony Conigliaro, his health still a question, had been traded the previous October to the
California Angels for reliever
Ken Tatum and rookie infielder
Doug Griffin. Conigliaro played in 74 games for the Angels in 1971 but then had to give up baseball, his sight having deteriorated greatly. Tatum was 2–4 with the Red Sox, and Griffin batted .244, while becoming the regular second baseman. Highlights of an otherwise forgettable season included the late arrival of a big catcher from
Bellows Falls, Vermont,
Carlton Fisk, who got into 14 games for the 1971 Sox and hit two home runs. Making a bigger splash was a utility fielder who had been acquired in 1970 from the
New York Yankees but came into his own in 1971.
John Kennedy hit .272, with five homers and 22 RBIs, and was nicknamed "Super Sub". Another bright spot for the Sox in '71 was
Jim Lonborg's winning 10 games (and losing 7). But
Sonny Siebert, a pitcher acquired in a deal with the
Cleveland Indians in 1969, was the top hurler for Boston, winning 16 games. A feisty left-hander,
Sparky Lyle was 6–4, with 16 saves and a 2.75 ERA.
Season standings Record vs. opponents Notable transactions • April 7, 1971:
Tom Satriano was released by the Red Sox. • May 17, 1971:
Luis Tiant was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox.
Opening Day lineup Source:
Roster ==Player stats==