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| Joe Cronin (1906-1984) |
Today marks the 109th year since the birth of Red Sox great
Joe Cronin. After starring for nine seasons with the Pirates and Senators, Cronin came to Boston in a trade that—even by 1934 standards—was a
huge win for the Red Sox. Boston sent $225,000 and a guy named
Lyn Lary to D.C. for a player who
thrived for 11 seasons in
Carmine Hose. Cronin hit .300 with 119 HRs, and an on-base percentage of .394 over those years in Boston.
And, he was the team's player-manager in every one of those seasons. He skippered the pennant-winning 1946 squad that came so close to ending 'the curse'—
long before it eventually was broken. After managing, Cronin was the Red Sox GM for over a decade and then became American League President. So, the next time you look up at that number "4" on Fenway's right-field facade, don't forget Cronin's incredible Red Sox career.
