Nine to Know: Red Sox Stats Pack – ‘Can You Believe It?’ Edition

The Bill Chuck Files overflow each day with stats, factoids, and observations that are sometimes relevant, sometimes irrelevant, and sometimes simply intriguing. At the start of each Sox series, I will share some of these in my “Nine to Know,” and I hope you will do the same.

Today, former Red Sox greats Roger Clemens, Nomar Garciaparra, and Pedro Martinez will be inducted into the 2014 Red Sox Hall of Fame. Each of these guys has been long retired after finding varying degrees of success on- and off-the-field in different venues.

But the fourth inductee is still here…at Fenway, and on the road. In fact, he was with Boston for the entire Sox careers of Clemens, Garciaparra, and Martinez and every member of the Sox since 1983.

I am talking about someone we have all listened to in our homes, cars, offices, while on a walk or jog, while sitting in a park and watching the stars or rocking a baby to sleep. I’m of course referring to the radio voice of the Red Sox, Joe Castiglione.

Joe is in his 32d season as the play-by-play announcer, the longest of any Sox radio broadcaster, tying him with another Red Sox Hall of Fame broadcaster Ned Martin, 1961-1993. Mercy!

It’s fair to say that Al Michaels’ 1980 Lake Placid question, “Do you believe in miracles?” is considered the greatest call in the history of sports, but for Red Sox Nation, Joe Castiglione’s question, “Can you believe it?” following the 2004 World Series win may remain the most meaningful.

Houston Astros 50-71 (21-35 on the road) @ Boston Red Sox 54-65 (27-31 at Fenway)

Nine to Know: The numbers of the Joe Castiglione Era 1983 – 2014 (regular seasons)

1. Most Sox hits: Wade Boggs, 1980. Most opponent (versus Boston) hits: Derek Jeter, 338
2. Most Sox wins: Roger Clemens, 192. Most opponent wins: Mike Mussina, 21
3. Most Sox homers: David Ortiz, 399. Most opponent homers: Alex Rodriguez, 53
4. Most Sox saves: Jonathan Papelbon, 219. Most opponent saves: Mariano Rivera, 58
5. Most Sox whiffs: Jason Varitek, 1216. Most opponent whiffs: Alex Rodriguez, 201.
6. Most Sox strikeouts: Roger Clemens, 2590. Most opponent strikeouts: Mike Mussina, 314
7. Most Sox stolen bases: Jacoby Ellsbury, 241. Most opponent stolen bases: Rickey Henderson, 67
8. Red Sox managers (11): Ralph Houk (1983-84) 164-160; John McNamara (1985-88) 297-273; Joe Morgan (1988-91) 301-262; Butch Hobson (1992-94) 207-232; Kevin Kennedy (1995-96) 171-135; Jimy Williams (1997-2001) 414-352; Joe Kerrigan (2001) 17-26; Grady Little (2002-03) 188-136; Terry Francona (2004-11) 744-552; Bobby Valentine (2012) 69-93; John Farrell (2013-present)151-130.
9. Red Sox record (1983-2014): 2723-2351 .537. At Fenway: 1465-1076. On the Road: 1258-1275. Most wins: Orioles, 272-203 .573. Most losses: Yankees, 234-247 .486.

See you Monday, as the Sox host the Angels for four.