BOSTON — Few players made an entrance quite like Fred Lynn did in 1975.
That unforgettable season saw Lynn become a constant highlight both at bat and in center field. He teamed up with fellow rookie Jim Rice to form the “Gold Dust Twins,” leading the Red Sox to the World Series. Lynn made history as the first player ever to be named Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season, a feat only matched by Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.
Lynn continued to shine throughout his career, especially during his time with the Red Sox, which ended abruptly with a controversial trade to the Angels after the 1980 season.
As a Red Sox player, Lynn posted a .308 batting average with a .383 on-base percentage and .520 slugging percentage, hitting 124 home runs and driving in 521 runs while making six All-Star appearances. Over a 17-year career, he was a nine-time All-Star, won four Gold Glove Awards, hit 306 homers, and maintained a .283 average.
In honor of his birthday on February 3, here are 10 key moments that defined Lynn’s career.
1) All-Star grand slam in 1983
Being the only player in baseball history to achieve a certain milestone makes it a standout moment. While Lynn had many impressive performances during the regular and postseason, he will forever be remembered for hitting the first — and still the only — grand slam in All-Star Game history at Comiskey Park. This home run, off Giants pitcher Atlee Hammaker, helped the American League secure a 13-3 victory, ending a stretch where the National League had won 19 out of 20 games.
2) Explosion in Detroit
Lynn truly announced himself as a rising star on June 18, 1975, during his rookie season. That night, the left-handed slugger showcased his talent by hitting three home runs, a triple, and a single, driving in 10 RBIs at Tiger Stadium. His 16 total bases in that game remain a single-game record for any Red Sox player. Boston dominated the Tigers, winning.
3) Kicking Off the Game 6 Celebration
Game 6 of the 1975 World Series is considered one of the most thrilling games in baseball history. It was Lynn who ignited the excitement at Fenway Park with a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning against Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine. Although Cincinnati eventually took a 6-3 lead, Bernie Carbo and Carlton Fisk answered with crucial home runs, leading Boston to an epic 7-6 victory in 12 innings. While the late-game drama is unforgettable, it may not have happened without Lynn’s early contribution.
4) Lynn Saves Tiant and the Sox in Game 4
While Lynn’s home run in Game 6 is often seen as his standout offensive moment from his only World Series appearance, his incredible running catch in Game 4 is remembered as his signature defensive play. In the bottom of the ninth, with the Reds threatening and the tying and go-ahead runs on base, Ken Griffey Sr. hit a line drive that looked destined for extra bases. However, Lynn made a great jump and executed a fantastic catch, helping Boston secure a 7-6 victory and tying the series at 2.
5) 1979
While 1975 will always be the season that defines Lynn, 1979 is when he delivered his most impressive statistics. In his second-to-last season with the Red Sox, Lynn led the league with a .333 batting average, .423 on-base percentage, .637 slugging percentage, and a 1.059 OPS. He also set career highs with 116 runs, 39 home runs, and 122 RBIs. Another memorable moment came during the All-Star Game at Seattle’s Kingdome, where he hit a two-run homer off the legendary Steve Carlton, giving the AL an early 3-2 lead.
6) 1982 ALCS MVP
Lynn’s postseason heroics extended beyond his time with the Red Sox. In 1982, he had a remarkable, though short-lived, playoff run with the Angels. Despite the Brewers coming back from a 0-2 series deficit to win the ALCS in five games, Lynn earned the rare distinction of being named the series MVP while playing for the losing team. He went 11-for-18, boasting a .611 average, with two doubles, a home run, and five RBIs.
7) Another All-Star Game Homer
As Lynn’s tenure in Boston was coming to an end, he delivered another memorable moment by hitting his third career homer in an All-Star Game. This took place during the 1980 Midsummer Classic at Dodger Stadium, where Lynn launched a two-run shot off Bob Welch in the fifth inning, breaking a scoreless tie. The legendary Vin Scully provided the commentary for the moment.
8) Collision and Amazing Catch
When Lynn was chasing a fly ball, a collision was merely a small inconvenience. On the night of September 21, 1982, Lynn sprinted back and leaped at the wall to rob Kansas City’s Amos Otis of extra bases. Angels left fielder Brian Downing had the same intention and collided with Lynn. Remarkably, Lynn held on to the ball despite the impact. Although Downing took the brunt of the collision, he was back in the lineup the following day.
9) Lynn Hits No. 300
While many might not associate Lynn with the Detroit Tigers, it was with that team that he hit the 300th home run of his career. The blast, which struck the façade of the lower deck in right field, occurred on September 4, 1989, against Royals ace Bret Saberhagen. This marked Lynn’s last home run as a Tiger, as he would go on to hit his final six with his hometown San Diego Padres in 1990.
10) Lynn Inducted into Red Sox Hall of Fame
At first, Lynn’s career appeared to be headed for the Hall of Fame. However, his exit from the Red Sox—where his swing was ideally suited for Fenway—and some injuries prevented that from happening. Nevertheless, he was elected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2002, marking a heartfelt moment for Lynn and the beginning of his reconciliation with the team. Although he resides in Southern California, Lynn often returns to Fenway Park.
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