Red Sox announce first alumni game since 1993 and Pedro Martinez will be back on a mound!

On May 29, 1993 the Red Sox held an old-timer’s game featuring names like Bill Spaceman Lee, Jim Lonborg, Jim Rice, and Carl Yastrzemski. Almost 25 years to the day later on May 27, 2018 the Red Sox will hold another.

Headlined by Pedro Martinez, but missing the most recent old-timer David Ortiz, these retired Red Sox feature heroes from the 2004, 2007, and 2013 World Series teams in addition to past Sox names like Wade Boggs, Rich “El Guapo” Garces, and Mother’s Day Miracle hero Julio Lugo.

Wade Boggs, Oil Can Boyd, Orlando Cabrera, Scott Cooper, Jim Corsi, Lenny DiNardo, Alan Embree, Rich Garces, Jonny Gomes, Mike Greenwell, Sam Horn, Chris Howard, Bill Lee, Darren Lewis, Steve Lomasney, Derek Lowe, Mike Lowell, Julio Lugo, Steve Lyons, Keith MacWhorter, Pedro Martinez, Lou Merloni, Rick Miller, Mike Myers, and Troy O’Leary.

For some perspective, Mookie Betts wasn’t even a year old the last time. Heck, Pedro was still a Dodger. Pedro wasn’t even on the Expos yet! If you’re thinking “It’s been too long since the Sox trotted out some old timers” you’re exactly right.

Sure, maybe Big Papi is too recently retired to play with this crowd but do we want to wait 25 more years for Ortiz to hit back-to-back with Manny Ramirez one more time? Or, if his broadcast work allows, Nomar to wear #5 in Boston again? Or see Trot Nixon’s dirty hat? Of course not. This could be an annual event or even an every-few-years spectacle.

In 1993, the Sox took on the Texas Rangers, were managed by Butch Hobson, and employed the talents of Roger Clemens and Mo Vaughn. Jose Canseco even made an appearance as a position player for the Rangers! He allowed three runs on two hits and a walk. Position players are expected to be a little better than that when they pitch these days.

This year’s game will be will be played at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday May 27 with the regularly scheduled game against the Atlanta Braves starting at 1:05 p.m. Anyone with a ticket for the match against the Braves can attend the alumni game too and tickets will be available that morning at the box office.

And yes, Bill Lee, who last appeared in a major league game in 1982 played in the 1993 alumni game and is playing in 2018. Amazing.