Today in Red Sox History: May 15

Today in OTM History

2021: Alex Verdugo celebrates his birthday in style; Let’s hope he can do the same this afternoon in Texas.

2020: Wade Boggs is the Red Sox all-time third baseman; Could Rafael Devers be on a path to displace him?

2018: Andrew Benintendi is building his floor; As it turns out, it’s the ceiling which has proven elusive.

2017: Craig Kimbrel’s dominant start; The Red Sox could sure use a guy like that these days.

2016: Andrew Benintendi gets promoted to Portland; The majors wouldn’t be too far behind.

2015: The Mariners could have had Jackie Bradley Jr.; This is one I had totally forgotten about.

2014: Keith Law mocks Marcus Wilson to Boston; They didn’t draft him, but he’d end up in the organization a few years later.

Today in Red Sox History

2003: The Red Sox sell out Fenway Park, something they would do every game (according to them, anyway) for the next decade for the longest sellout streak in league history.

Today in Red Sox Birthdays

Happy 55th birthday to John Smoltz, who is in the Hall of Fame, mostly for his time with the Braves, but did spend a lackluster half-season in Boston in the final year of his career back in 2009.

Happy 42nd birthday to Josh Beckett, who was the ace of the championship 2007 team, and while his tenure didn’t end in the greatest fashion he will always be remembered for one of the greatest postseason runs in team history.

Happy 26th birthday to Alex Verdugo, who is obviously currently a starting outfielder for the Red Sox.

Many thanks to Baseball-Reference, NationalPastime.com and Today in Baseball History for assistance here, and thanks to Battery Power for the inspiration for these posts.