Lost Summer: The '67 Red Sox and the Impossible Dream

This book captures the feel of the 1967 pennant race and the underdog Red Sox that won the title on the season's final day. Author Bill Reynold's makes us feel as if inside the clubhouse at Fenway Park alongside Carl Yastrzemski, George Scott, Jim Lonborg, Rico Petrocelli, etc. Readers learn about spring training (when few gave Boston a chance), the undorthodox style of manager Dick Williams, the long summer campaign when Chicago usually led narrowly, and the tragic August beaning of Tony Conigliaro. We also feel the tension of September as Detroit, Minnesota, Chicago and Boston battled to the wire in the closest pennant race of all time - the Red Sox taking the AL flag by a single game over both Minnesota and Detroit by besting the Twins on the season's last day. Then, there's the tense seven-game World Series against St. Louis. Reynolds introduces us to the backgrounds and personalities of many players. He also illustrates the USA in 1967 as the economy surged, urban blacks rioted, hippies protested, and the Vietnam War dragged on. Sadly, ex-teammates Don McMahon, Joe Foy, Jerry Adair, Elston Howard and Tony Conigliaro passed away before this book arrived in 1992. And it took another 12 years before Boston finally won the 2004 World Series, their 86-year title wait exceeded only by the White Sox (1917-2005, 88 years), Phillies (1883-1980, 97 years), and Cubs (1908 and counting). This is an excellent narrative for both Red Sox rooters and all baseball fans.

Bill Reynolds captures the emotion that held the Boston Red Sox together that summer. From that first win on a cold April day to Tony C.'s tragic beaning, the Sox stuck like glue. In the process they created a legend that echoes in the mind of all New England sports fans. Only once in a century could a story like this unfold and only once in a century could a man retell the story with Bill Reynold's passion.