1959 Boston Red Sox season

The 1959 Boston Red Sox season was the 59th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. The Red Sox finished fifth in the American League (AL) with a record of 75 wins and 79 losses, 19 games behind the AL champion Chicago White Sox.

Offseason

1958 turned out to be Jimmy Piersall's final season with the Red Sox. On December 2, 1958, Piersall was traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Gary Geiger and Vic Wertz.

Notable transactions

• Prior to 1959 season: Mike Page was signed as an amateur free agent by the Red Sox.
• March 9, 1959: Bob Smith was traded by the Red Sox to the Chicago Cubs for Chuck Tanner.

Regular season

• The 1959 season was the year that the color barrier was broken for the Red Sox. On July 21, Elijah "Pumpsie" Green became the first black player to play for the Red Sox. A week later, Earl Wilson became the first black pitcher to play for the team.
• Ted Williams would have an off year in his penultimate season, as he batted below .300.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

• July 26, 1959: Bud Byerly was traded by the Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants for Billy Muffett and cash.
• September 9, 1959: Chuck Tanner was sold by Red Sox to Cleveland Indians.

Opening day lineup

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

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

Other batters

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

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

Other pitchers

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

Relief pitchers

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

Awards and honors

• Jackie Jensen, Gold Glove Award (OF)
• Frank Malzone, Gold Glove Award (3B)

Farm system

<small>LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Minneapolis, Waterloo, Alpine</small> <br> Source:

See also

• List of first black Major League Baseball players by team and date

References

External links

• 1959 Boston Red Sox team at Baseball-Reference
• 1959 Boston Red Sox season at baseball-almanac.com