The 2005 Boston Red Sox season was the 105th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. The Red Sox finished second in the American League East with a record of 95–67, the same record as the New York Yankees. The Yankees were deemed the division winner, due to their 10–9 head-to-head record against the Red Sox during the regular season. The Red Sox qualified for the postseason as the AL wild card, but were swept by the American League Central (and eventual World Series champion Chicago White Sox) in the ALDS.

On offense, the Red Sox led Major League Baseball in runs scored (910), hits (1,579), doubles (339), RBI (863), walks (653), batting average (.281), OBP (.357), OPS (.811) and sacrifice flies (63). Red Sox pitchers hit opposing batters with 89 pitches, the most by any major league pitching staff in 2005. Outfielder Dave Roberts – who played a key role as a base stealer during the 2004 postseason – was traded to the Padres in exchange for shortstop Ramon Vazquez and left fielder Jay Payton.

Management sought to fill the void left by Orlando Cabrera and Pokey Reese at shortstop by signing free agent Édgar Rentería to a 4-year $40 million year with a 5th year option.

The Red Sox front office looked to bolster their starting pitching by signing two veteran pitchers. The need for starting pitching was a point of emphasize due to the departure of Pedro Martínez to the New York Mets after 7 years in a Red Sox uniform. The first pitcher signed was former Padres starter David Wells. Wells was coming off a surprising 2004 season with the Padres in which he posted a 3.73 ERA over 195 innings pitched at the age of 41. The second pitcher signed was former Cubs starter Matt Clement. Clement was coming off a season in which he posted a respectable 3.68 ERA over 181 innings pitched.

Spring training

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|style="background:#bfb;"| Boston Win

|style="background:#fbb;"| Boston Loss

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| 1 || March 3 || Twins || 4─3 || González (1─0) || Durbin (0─1) || 1─0 ||

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| 2 || March 4 || Northeastern Huskies || 17─0 || Wakefield || Pellegrine || 2─0 ||

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| 3 || March 4 || Boston College || 11─5 || Timlin || Jeanes || 3─0 ||

  • December 19, 2004: Édgar Rentería was signed as a free agent with the Red Sox.
  • December 20, 2004: Jay Payton, Ramón Vázquez and David Pauley were acquired by the Red Sox from the Padres in exchange for Dave Roberts.
  • May 2, 2005: David McCarty was released by the Red Sox and granted free agency.
  • June 7, 2005: Jacoby Ellsbury was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 1st round (23rd pick) of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed July 1, 2005.
  • June 7, 2005: Clay Buchholz was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 1st round (42nd pick) of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed June 23, 2005.
  • July 7: 2005: Alex Cora was acquired by the Red Sox from the Indians in exchange for Ramón Vázquez.
  • July 13, 2005: Chad Bradford was acquired by the Red Sox from the Athletics in exchange for Jay Payton.
  • July 19, 2005: Alan Embree was released by the Red Sox.
  • July 19, 2005: Tony Graffanino was acquired by the Red Sox from the Royals in exchange for Chip Ambres and minor leaguer Juan Cedeño.
  • July 26, 2005: John Halama was released by the Red Sox.
  • August 9, 2005: Ricky Bottalico was signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox.
  • August 9, 2005: Mike Remlinger and cash were acquired by the Red Sox from the Cubs in exchange for minor league pitcher Olivo Astacio.
  • August 19, 2005: Mark Bellhorn was released by the Red Sox.
  • August 25, 2005: Ricky Bottalico was released by the Red Sox. Red Sox pitcher David Wells was pitching well in the game until the error. The error is viewed by many fans as having the Red Sox lose Game 2 and eventually the American League Division Series.

Red Sox ace Curt Schilling did not start a game in the American League Division Series after pitching in the last game of the season against the Yankees.

Awards and honors

  • David Ortiz – Silver Slugger Award (DH), AL Player of the Month (September)
  • Manny Ramirez – Silver Slugger Award (OF)
  • Jason Varitek – Silver Slugger Award (C), Gold Glove Award (C)

;All-Star Game

  • Matt Clement, reserve P (roster replacement)
  • Johnny Damon, starting CF
  • David Ortiz, starting DH
  • Manny Ramirez, starting LF
  • Jason Varitek, starting C

Farm system

The Wilmington Blue Rocks replaced the Sarasota Red Sox as the Class A-Advanced affiliate, and the Greenville Bombers replaced the Augusta GreenJackets as the Class A affiliate.

VSL cooperative was with the San Diego Padres.

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Source:

References

  • Season standings: American League East Standings on ESPN.com
  • Game logs:

:1st Half: Boston Red Sox Game Log on ESPN.com

:2nd Half: Boston Red Sox Game Log on ESPN.com

  • Batting Statistics: Boston Red Sox Batting Stats on ESPN.com
  • Pitching Statistics: Boston Red Sox Pitching Stats on ESPN.com
  • 2005 Boston Red Sox team page at Baseball Reference
  • 2005 Boston Red Sox season at baseball-almanac.com
  • 2005 Boston Red Sox Draft Selections