Lou Gorman passed away today... and had the Red Sox made that last out in the 10th inning of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, he would have been a beloved genius. He would have been declared the great architect of the team that whipped the Curse.
And unlike the 2004 team which was cobbled together from other organizations, he would have been hailed for having a predominantly home grown squad. Rich Gedman, Marty Barrett, Wade Boggs, Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, Roger Clemens, Bruce Hurst, Al Nipper, Oil Can Boyd, Bob Stanley and Steve Crawford all contributed to the near title.
And he made the trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen down the stretch... and brought in Don Baylor to take charge of the clubhouse.
He would have been a legend.
Now before you say "Hey, he didn't draft Rice, Evans etc..." remember that Theo didn't bring in Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, Johnny Damon nor Derek Lowe, but nobody had any trouble giving HIM credit for 2004!
If that last out was made, Gorman would have been hailed as the architect.
Alas that last out wasn't made... but Lou deserves a salute here. Nobody got the Sox closer over an 85 year stretch.
When the Red Sox DID win in 2004, the big hit in the clinching game was by Trot Nixon. Guess who drafted him?
Lou Gorman.
Thanks Lou
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