Fenway Flashback: 1975 - Cecil Cooper's Turn!

July 10, 1975: Cecil Cooper Caps Third Straight Walk-Off

With the dramatic sweep of Minnesota complete and the Twins’ bus heading south on I-95 toward Yankee Stadium, the Red Sox turned their attention to the Texas Rangers (41–46), whom they were welcoming to the “Fens” for a four-game set to close out the first half of the season. Still buzzing from back-to-back walk-off wins, Boston held a two-game lead in the American League East over both the Yankees and the Brewers.

With the All-Star break looming, manager Darrell Johnson knew how important it was for his team to stay focused and finish the first half strong.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

On paper, the pitching matchup looked like a mismatch: future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry was toeing the slab for the Rangers, while 23-year-old lefty Steve Barr made just his third career start for the Red Sox.

The Red Sox lineup for July 10 was:

Bernie Carbo (DH)

Denny Doyle (2B)

Carl Yastrzemski (1B)

Fred Lynn (CF)

Jim Rice (LF)

Carlton Fisk (C)

Dwight Evans (RF)

Rick Burleson (SS)

Bob Heise (3B)

Game Recap

As had become their recent custom, the Red Sox struck early. In the bottom of the first, Jim Rice doubled home two runs, giving Boston the lead. They added another in the third when Fred Lynn singled in Yaz, who had doubled to lead off the inning.

Texas responded with two runs in the top of the fourth to make it 3–2, but the Sox came right back with a four-run frame in the bottom half, highlighted by a three-run blast from Lynn. Up 8–4 after four, the Sox appeared in control, but that’s when the wheels started to come off.

The Rangers chipped away, scoring a run in the fifth. (It seems like Red Sox…