Fenway Flashback: 1975 - Doc Goes to Work on Labor Day

September 1, 1975: Doc Goes to Work on Labor Day

Labor Day had arrived, and the Red Sox were just 27 games away from their first postseason appearance since 1967. Boston entered the day with a six-game lead over Baltimore in the AL East but had slipped a game behind Oakland after dropping two of three in their weekend showdown. While homefield advantage for the ALCS was still a goal, manager Darryl Johnson’s top priority remained holding off the Orioles and securing the division.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

The third-place Yankees, sitting 13.5 games back, came to Fenway looking to play the role of spoiler. Billy Martin handed the ball to young right-hander Doc Medich, while Boston countered with dependable lefty Roger Moret.

With Carlton Fisk sidelined for the seventh straight game, the Red Sox rolled out the same familiar order:

Cecil Cooper (DH)

Denny Doyle (2B)

Carl Yastrzemski (1B)

Fred Lynn (CF)

Jim Rice (LF)

Dwight Evans (RF)

Rick Burleson (SS)

Dick McAuliffe (3B)

Tim Blackwell (C)

Game Recap

The Yankees struck first in the second inning. With one out, designated hitter, Walt Williams reached on a McAuliffe error, and consecutive singles by catcher, Rick Dempsey and centerfielder, Rick Bladt made it 1–0. Journeyman shortstop Fred Stanley then added another RBI single to put New York up 2–0.

In the third, third baseman, Thurman Munson singled and came around on a Dempsey double, extending the Yankee lead to 3–0. Meanwhile, Medich silenced the Boston bats, holding them to just three hits through five innings. In the sixth, New York padded its advantage when Sandy Alomar (not yet known as Sr. in baseball circles) singled home a run to make it 4–0.

Boston finally broke through in the seventh. Fred Lynn doubled, his 38th of the year, and scored when…