1912 Boston Red Sox season


The 1912 Boston Red Sox season was the twelfth season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. This was the first year that the team played its home games at Fenway Park. The Red Sox finished first in the American League with a record of 105 wins and 47 losses. The team set the franchise record for highest winning percentage in a season, which still stands; tied the franchise record for fewest losses in a season, originally set by the 1903 club and not since equalled; and set a franchise record for most wins, which was not surpassed until the 2018 club.
The team then faced the National League champion New York Giants in the 1912 World Series, which the Red Sox won in eight games to capture the franchise's second World Series. One of the deciding plays in the World Series was a muffed fly ball by Giants outfielder Fred Snodgrass, which became known as the "$30,000 muff" in reference to the prize money for the winning team.
Behind center fielder Tris Speaker and pitcher Smoky Joe Wood, the Red Sox led the league in runs scored and fewest runs allowed. Speaker was third in batting and was voted league Most Valuable Player. Wood won 34 games, including a record 16 in a row. Although the pitching staff was satisfactory, the only star pitcher was Wood, while the only star in the starting lineup was Speaker. Little-known third baseman Larry Gardner was the next best hitter, while future Hall of Famer Harry Hooper had a poor offensive season.
, for spring training in 1912

Offseason

The Red Sox made several transactions during the 1912 offseason. In February 1912, Rip Williams was sold to the New York Highlanders, although the exact date of the transaction is currently unknown. The Red Sox sold two players to the Chicago White Sox during the offseason: Jack Fournier on February 6 and Eddie Cicotte on July 9. Later in the year, on November 25, Hugh Bradley was sold to the Jersey City Giants minor league baseball team of the International League. The only purchase made by the Red Sox that offseason was their purchase of Neal Ball from the Cleveland Naps on June 25 for $2500.

Regular season

The new Red Sox home stadium, Fenway Park opened on April 20, the same day as Navin Field in Detroit opened. It was supposed to be opened on April 18 but it rained in both cities on that day.
On April 26, Hugh Bradley became the first player to hit a home run over the Green Monster at Fenway Park. It was his only home run of the 1912 season, and one of only two he hit in his career, which spanned five seasons.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Opening Day lineup

On April 11, 1912, the Red Sox defeated the New York Highlanders 5–3 in an away game.

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Starters by position

Other batters

Pitching

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Other pitchers

Awards and honors

League top five finishers

Duffy Lewis
Tris Speaker
Smoky Joe Wood
The 1912 World Series was played between the New York Giants of the NL and the Red Sox of the AL. The Red Sox won in eight games, 4–3, having played the Giants to a tie in Game 2.
AL Boston Red Sox vs. NL New York Giants
GameScoreDateLocationAtt.Ref.
1Red Sox – 4, Giants – 3October 8Polo Grounds35,730
2Giants – 6, Red Sox – 6 October 9Fenway Park30,148
3Giants – 2, Red Sox – 1October 10Fenway Park34,624
4Red Sox – 3, Giants – 1October 11Polo Grounds36,502
5Giants – 1, Red Sox – 2October 12Fenway Park34,683
6Red Sox – 2, Giants – 5October 14Polo Grounds30,622
7Giants – 11, Red Sox – 4October 15Fenway Park32,694
8Giants – 2, Red Sox – 3 October 16Fenway Park17,034