Today is Dave Stapleton's 58th birthday. He should be waking up today and slipping on his 1986 World Championship ring. But, because of the stubbornness of one John McNamara, Stapleton was not the late defensive replacement in Game Six of the World Series that year—as he had been in every post-season win. And, so, the rest is Red Sox infamy (although the game was already tied when "it" happened). Stapelton played his entire seven-year career with Boston, carving out a decent .271 average—while never playing in more than 151 games in any year. So, in the spirit of what might have been, a happy 58th to "Stapes" today.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Remembering McNamara's Folly Today
Today is Dave Stapleton's 58th birthday. He should be waking up today and slipping on his 1986 World Championship ring. But, because of the stubbornness of one John McNamara, Stapleton was not the late defensive replacement in Game Six of the World Series that year—as he had been in every post-season win. And, so, the rest is Red Sox infamy (although the game was already tied when "it" happened). Stapelton played his entire seven-year career with Boston, carving out a decent .271 average—while never playing in more than 151 games in any year. So, in the spirit of what might have been, a happy 58th to "Stapes" today.