In part two of this two-part series, the remaining 11 of the total 23 players to ever wear a Red Sox uniform who were born in Connecticut are discussed. Without further ado, here are the 11 remaining Red Sox players born in the New England state of Connecticut.
Connecticut-Born Red Sox Players: Part Two
Dick McAuliffe
The Hartford-born Dick McAuliffe played for the Red Sox during the 1974 and 1975 seasons (107 games total). The infielder batted .206 in 133 plate appearances. McAuliffe hit five home runs and drove in 25, ending his MLB career with the Red Sox.
John McDonald
New London native John McDonald spent six regular season games with the eventual World Series champion Red Sox during the 2013 season. McDonald had two hits for a batting average of .250.
John Michaels
Born in Bridgeport in 1907, John Michaels pitched in 28 games for the 1932 Red Sox. He was 1-6 in 80 2/3 innings with an ERA of 5.13. He gave up 59 runs (46 earned) on 101 hits while striking out 16 and walking 27. It would be Michaels’ only MLB season.
Kevin Morton
The lefty from Norwalk appeared in 16 games for the Red Sox during the 1991 season. Kevin Morton was 6-5, over 86 1/3 innings. He allowed a total of 49 runs (44 earned) on 93 hits. Morton struck out 45 while walking 40. He finished his only season in MLB with a 4.59 ERA.
Al Niemiec
Meriden’s own Al Niemiec played in nine games for the Red Sox during the 1934 season. The middle infielder batted .219 while accumulating seven hits and driving in three runs.
Jimmy Piersall
His career was overshadowed by his battle with bipolar disorder, but Jimmy Piersall was a very good baseball player. He spent parts of eight seasons with the Red Sox. Piersall was a two-time All-Star with the Red Sox (1954, 1956). He also won one of his two Gold Gloves with the team in 1958. The “Wizard of Waterbury” slashed .273 with 66 home runs and 366 RBI in 931 games with the “Boys from Beantown.”
Rollie Sheldon
Rollie Sheldon was born in Putnam in 1936. Sheldon concluded his MLB career with the Red Sox in 1966. The right-hander was 1-6 in 79 2/3 innings during that 1966 season. He surrendered 49 runs (44 earned) on 106 hits while striking out 38 and walking 23. He finished the 1966 campaign with a 4.97 ERA.
Earl Snyder
The New Britain native appeared in a single game for the Red Sox during the unforgettable 2004 World Series-winning season. Earl Snyder recorded one hit in four at-bats while manning the hot corner during his single Red Sox game.
Mo Vaughn
The 1995 AL MVP was a fan favorite during his time with the Red Sox (1991-1998). The “Hit Dog” was a three-time All-Star (1995, 1996, 1998). Mo Vaughn also won a Silver Slugger Award and led the AL in RBI (126) during that 1995 season. For his Red Sox career, Vaughn hit .304 with 230 home runs and 752 RBI. The Norwalk native would leave Boston after the 1998 season to sign with the then-Anaheim Angels. Vaughn’s career was not without controversy, as he would be one of the 89 former MLB players mentioned in the Mitchell Report. The report detailed the names of MLB players tied to performance-enhancing drugs, including human growth hormone (HGH) and steroids.
Mo Vaughn Hits Walk-Off Grand Slam Against Seattle Mariners.
(April 10, 1998) pic.twitter.com/lqniJtZrOJ
— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) October 15, 2023
Gary Waslewski
The second player on this list (in part two of this two-part series) from Meriden, Gary Waslewski pitched for the Sox during the 1967 and 1968 seasons. During those two seasons, Waslewski pitched a total of 147 1/3 innings. He was 6-9 with a 3.54 ERA in 46 games. Waslewski allowed 68 runs (58 earned) on 142 hits and struck out 79 while walking 60.
George “Pinky” Woods
Another Waterbury-born player, Pinky Woods pitched a total of three seasons with the Red Sox (1943-1945). The right-hander was 13-21 with a 3.97 ERA in 378 2/3 innings over 85 appearances. Woods allowed 190 runs (167 earned) while surrendering 388 hits. He struck out 124 while walking 206.
Conclusion
Connecticut is considered a New England state, but depending on where in the state one lives, they may find themselves closer to New York and (perish the thought) be of the mindset to be either a Yankees or Mets fan. Other people, regardless of location in the state, see themselves as “New Englanders” and root for New England’s MLB team, the Boston Red Sox. While making it to the majors is no small feat, the players mentioned in this two-part series had the privilege and honor to not only make it to the big leagues but to also suit up for their and New England’s “hometown team.”
Photo Credit: “Fenway Park” by pburka is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
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