Top Ten Trades That Changed Boston Sports History
There is no doubt Boston has a very rich sports history. Beantown has had its share of heartache but the city is still sniffing the vapor trails of the “Golden Age.” During this time period (2001-current), The Patriots, Celtics, and Red Sox have all enjoyed championship duck boat rides.
However, if it wasn’t for astute front offices with itchy trigger fingers, some of these championship runs would just be pipe dreams. So let’s take a journey down memory lane and relive the top 10 trades that changed Boston sports history.
10. June 6, 1986—Cam Neely Traded to Boston by Vancouver
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Cam Neely became an elite player as a power right winger. In the ’87-’88 season, he broke the 40 goal plateau for the first time in his career as he helped the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals. He was also an integral part of the Bruins team who reached the Finals again in ’89-’90. Neely scored a career high 55 goals and 92 points.
The following year, Neely had another stellar year with 51 goals. However, he suffered a knee injury at the hands of Ulf Samuelsson which restricted him to play no more than 49 games a season from 1991 to 1996. Cam Neely had one more magical run when he scored 50 goals in 49 games during the ’93-’94 season. He finished his Bruins career with 395 goals and 299 assists.
This trade had a dramatic impact on the franchise. Neely was the dominant sniper and physical presence that enabled the Bruins to become an elite franchise in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
9. (A) April 29, 2007—Randy Moss Traded to New England By Oakland
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The Patriots took a chance on a disgruntled Randy Moss and the gamble paid off. Moss regained his elite receiver status in 2007 helping to lead the most potent offense in NFL history. In his first season with the Tom Brady, Moss posted 1498 yards and a NFL record 23 touchdown receptions as New England had the first 16-0 regular season in league history. The Patriots would later lose to the Giants in the super bowl falling short in their quest for perfection.
Moss would have two more productive years in New England before things started to sour during the 2010 season. He became a disruption and was later traded to Minnesota for a fourth round pick.
9. (B) March 5, 2007 — Wes Welker Traded to New England by Miami
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Bill Belichick was sick of trying to defend Wes Welker when he was a member of the Miami Dolphins, so he traded for him. During his first season with the Patriots in 2007, it became the perfect offensive storm. Couple with Randy Moss, New England had the highest scoring attach in NFL history.
Welker has had over 100 catches for three straight seasons (2007-2009) which includes a franchise record 123 catches in 2009. Welker returned in 2010 from a torn acl/mcl without missing a single game and had another productive season with 86 catches. He remains the spark plug to the Patriots offense.
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8. November 24, 2005 — Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell Traded to Boston by the Florida
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The Red Sox had to give up top line prospect Hanley Ramirez but the rewards were worth the risk. After a shaky first season in the American League, Josh Beckett rebounded with a vengeance in 2007. He went 20-7 and became the true ace of the pitching staff.
Mike Lowell also paid dividends in 2007.The “throw in” of the trade batted .324 with 21 homeruns and 120 runs batted in. He was a great compliment in the batting order to David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.
The trade’s true return on investment came in the playoffs. Beckett was all world going 4-0 including a game five victory to ignite the Red Sox comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. Mike Lowell shined in baseball’s biggest stage, the World Series. Lowell was named series MVP batting .400 with one homerun and 4 RBI’s in the four game sweep of the Rockies.
7. May 15, 1967 — Phil Esposito Traded to Boston by Chicago
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Phil Esposito’s game would reach superstar heights with the Big Bad Bruins. In eight plus seasons with the Black and Gold, Phil broke the 100 point plateau six times. He led the NHL in scoring in ‘69, ‘71, ‘72, ‘73, and ‘74. “Espo” led the league in goals for six straight seasons. His career high was 76 goals in 1970-71.
With the likes of Ken Hodge, Johnny Bucyk, Bobby Orr, and Phil Esposito, the Bruins captured the Stanley Cup in ’70 and ’72. They could have one a few more if the puck bounced their way. Phil Esposito was an offensive juggernaut of this NHL dynasty.
6. November 28, 2003 — Curt Schilling Traded to Boston by Arizona
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After losing to the NY Yankees in the 2003 ALCS, the Red Sox front office was primed to do whatever it takes to defeat their rival. The Red Sox brought in a season veteran and World Series champion in pitching ace in Curt Schilling. He would join a rotation that already had fan favorite, Pedro Martinez.
In 2004, Schilling made an instant impact for the Sox. He had 21-6 record as Pedro Martinez won 16 games to fuel the Sox to an AL wildcard berth. Schilling and the Sox made pretty easy work of the Anaheim Angels before meeting their long time foe, the NY Yankees.
After a less than stellar game one performance, Schilling bounced back with an epic performance on a gimpy ankle. The “Bloody Sock” legend was born. Schilling yielded just one run on four hits in seven innings of work. He helped the Sox stave off elimination as they made one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports history.
Schilling won game two of the 2004 World Series and was instrumental in the team’s first championship since 1918. His big game performances didn’t end there as he went 3-0 in the 2007 post season as the Red Sox won their second world title in four years.
5. September 9, 1980—Rober Parrish And Kevin McHale (pick) Traded to Boston by Golden State
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Two-thirds of the original Boston Celtics “Big Three” were acquired by Red Auerbach in one of the most lop-sided trades in basketball and sports history. Robert Parrish gave the Celtics some added veteran leadership and University of Minnesota prospect, Kevin McHale brought youth to the middle. Parrish, McHale, and Larry Bird became the most feared front court in the 1980’s. Larry Bird had his supporting cast in place to make a run at the NBA Championship.
They did much more than a single championship run. During their time together, the “Big Three” won the NBA title in ’81,’84, and ’86. They also made appearances in the Finals in ’85 & ’86 but succumbed to their west coast rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics-Lakers rivalry injected life back into a floundering league and put the NBA back on the map.
4. October 9, 1978—Los Angeles’ First Rd Pick (Raymond Bourque) Traded to Boston
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Bourque won the Rookie of Year in 1979 and an all star. Throughout his career he posted solid numbers and was considered an elite defensemen. He also was recognized for his leadership and was named team captain in 1985 which he held until his trade to Colorado in 2000.
He won the Norris Trophy presented to best NHL defenseman five times. Bourque is third all time in plus/minus behind Larry Robinson and former Bruin, Bobby Orr. He could also score. Bourque is only the sixth defenseman in history to score 30 goals in a season (1984).
Bourque was the face of the Bruins since his rookie year. He played with grit, determination and an undying passion throughout his whole Bruins career.
3.(A) June 28, 2007—Ray Allen Traded to Boston by Seattle
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After the Celtics missed out on franchise prospects, Kevin Durant and Greg Oden in the NBA Lottery, President Danny Ainge new the future was now. His first step in his master plan was to acquire Ray Allen from the Seattle Supersonics, the former UCONN product gave the Celtics a veteran perimeter threat to compliment Paul Pierce.
But Ainge was far from being done.
3.(B) July 31, 2007—Kevin Garnett Traded to Boston By Minnesota
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About a month after the acquisition of Ray Allen, Ainge pulled off another blockbuster deal. This time he orchestrated a trade with former teammate and Minnesota Timberwolves GM Kevin McHale for Kevin “Big Ticket” Garnett. Garnett was the defensive force in the middle that Boston needed. The Celtics may have given up the farm(literally) for him, but the return on investment is still paying dividends.
With the new “Big Three”, the Celtics had one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history. The team no longer resembled the young and inexperienced team that only won 24 games during the 2006-07 season. The Boston Celtics were loaded with talent and they were built to win now.
KG(defensive player of the year), Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce(Finals MVP) had instant chemistry while winning 66 games during their first year together. They would go to win the team’s first championship since 1986. The Celtics went from laughing stock to elite almost overnight. They remain a force to be reckoned with and are a favorite to win the championship this season after falling to the Lakers in the 2010 Finals.
2. July 31, 2004- Normar Garciaparra Traded by Boston To Chicago Cubs
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Sometimes addition by subtraction is the recipe for success, but no one thought trading the face of the Red Sox franchise would indirectly result in the team’s first championship in 86 years. But that’s exactly what happened when All-Star shortstop Normar Garciaparra was traded for shortstop Orlando Cabrera and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. Both of these players helped stabilize the Sox defensively and quickly meshed in the clubhouse.
The Red Sox began to catch fire and finished strong to secure a wild card berth. After dispatching the Anaheim Angels with relative ease, Boston found themselves in a deep hole against their hated rivals, the New York Yankees. The same Yankees that beat the Red Sox in a painstaking seven game series in the 2003 ALCS.
The Red Sox or the “idiots” as they dubbed themselves, never quit and came back from a 3-0 series deficit. They rode their tidal wave of emotion by steamrolling the St. Louis Cardinals and winning the world title for the first time since 1918. Ironically, the recently acquired Mientkiewicz took the flip from Keith Foulke for the last out.
1. November 18, 1997- Pedro Martinez Traded to Boston by Montreal
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Every so often a player comes along and ignites a city with excitement. That player was Pedro Martinez and the city was Boston. When you scored Sox tickets, you always hoped Pedro was pitching because he was the attraction and you were sure to get your money’s worth. And Pedro usually delivered.
From ’98 to ’04, Pedro electrified the Fenway Faithful. K’s would be posted in the centerfield bleachers then later in the Monster seats. Pedro was always in the running for the Cy Young. He always seemed to come through in the clutch like he did in the ’99 playoffs versus Cleveland and in the World Series against the Cardinals. He made you proud to be a Red Sox fan even prior to 2004.
During a dull and uneventful span in Boston sports history, Pedro was the lone spark. He got you excited. He made you tune in on TV or buy your tickets when he pitched. If you loved sports, you loved him. He was everything an athlete should be.
A showman.
A clutch performer.
An entertainer.
Even after Pedro’s departure following the 2004 world championship, Red Sox fans always kept tabs on him and cheered him on.
He made us love sports again in Beantown.
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