| Bristol Red Sox | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Double-A (1973–1982) |
| League | Eastern League (1973–1982) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | Boston Red Sox (1973–1982) |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles(3) |
|
| Team data | |
| Name |
|
| Ballpark | Muzzy Field (1973–1982) |
TheBristol Red Soxbaseball club was an Americanminor league baseball franchise. Based inBristol, Connecticut, it was theDouble-AEastern Leaguefarm system affiliate of theBoston Red Sox for ten seasons (1973–82) and played atMuzzy Field.
The team was created during the 1972–73 offseason, when the parent Red Sox decided to move theirTriple-A franchise, theLouisville Colonels, toPawtucket, Rhode Island, home of the Sox' Eastern League farm team, thePawtucket Red Sox, since 1970.
The Double-A PawSox' owner,Joe Buzas, selected Bristol as the site for his relocated EL franchise. The city had previously hosted theBristol Owls of the Class BColonial League in 1949–50 (the league disbanded on July 14, 1950) and theTramps,Bellmakers andWoodchoppers of theConnecticut State League at the turn of the 20th century (1897; 1899–1901).[1]
Despite the presence of future Boston starsJim Rice andFred Lynn on the 1973 squad, the maiden season of the Bristol Red Sox was a losing one — but the next nine editions of the club sported over .500 records and won Eastern League titles in 1975, 1978 and 1981. Other future MLB or Red Sox stars who played for Bristol includedMarty Barrett,Wade Boggs,Oil Can Boyd,Steve Crawford,Bo Díaz,Rich Gedman,Butch Hobson,Bruce Hurst,Steve Lyons,Al Nipper,Bob Stanley,Dave Stapleton,John Tudor andErnie Whitt.
Managers included formerMajor LeaguersStan Williams,Dick McAuliffe andJohn Kennedy, but the most successful Bristol skipper was veteran minor league player and skipperTony Torchia, who piloted the club for its final five seasons, winning two championships.
The franchise shifted toNew Britain, Connecticut, in 1983, where it played for 33 years, the last 21 as theRock Cats. The New Britain franchise, now aColorado Rockies' affiliate, officially moved to nearbyHartford as theYard Goats in 2016. Since 2003, the Red Sox' Eastern League affiliate has been thePortland Sea Dogs.
| Year | Record | Finish Full Season | Attendance | Manager | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 62–77 | Third (American Div.) | 47,288 | Rac Slider | DNQ |
| 1974 | 74–61 | First (American Div.) | 47,989 | Stan Williams | Lost in first round |
| 1975 | 81–57 | Second | 42,238 | Dick McAuliffe Bill Slack | League champions |
| 1976 | 74–60 | Second (Southern Div.) | 38,637 | John Kennedy | DNQ |
| 1977 | 72–67 | Fourth (Southern Div.) | 57,563 | John Kennedy | DNQ |
| 1978 | 72–66 | Third | 64,921 | Tony Torchia | League champions |
| 1979 | 73–66 | Third | 66,844 | Tony Torchia | DNQ |
| 1980 | 79–60 | First (Southern Div.) | 65,991 | Tony Torchia | DNQ |
| 1981 | 72–66 | Second (Southern Div.) | 77,066 | Tony Torchia | League champions |
| 1982 | 75–65 | Second (Southern Div.) | 67,564 | Tony Torchia | DNQ |
| Preceded by | Boston Red Sox Double-A affiliate 1973–1982 | Succeeded by |