October 9, 1986 ...
No game scheduled ... John McNamara revealed that Roger
Clemens, not Al Nipper, will start Game 4. The announcement of
Clemens overshadowed the matchup for Game 3 of Oil Can Boyd vs.
California's John Candelaria.
Nipper was visibly shaken by the news that he would not be
starting Game 4. Nipper apparently got the word from reporters rather than
directly from McNamara.
The Red Sox traveling group swelled to 175 and the cost was
more than $100,000 as the club ownership invited employees and their spouses to
go west with the players and their wives. Switchboard operators, clubhouse
attendants and stat wizards rode side by side with Jim Rice and Roger Clemens.
The baseball tour group convened at Gate 41 of Logan
Airport's Concourse C at 10:30 Wednesday night. A United DC-10 took off 15
minutes later, carrying the players, bats, balls, gloves and prayers and hopes
of New England fans to 30,000 feet.
Ted Williams was along for the ride. The man who led so
many Red Sox teams, but played in only one postseason tournament, rode in first
class with the Sox' brass.
Mayor Ray Flynn was on the plane with one of his sons. He
no doubt had to check out his bet with the mayor of Anaheim.
