Books and articles about Rico Petrocelli

For a decade, Petrocelli was a home-run threat with the Red Sox infield. He was with Boston for their 1967 and 1975 pennants, maturing from a volatile young player to become a steadying influence on his teammates. In Game Six of the 1967 World Series, Petrocelli, Carl Yastrzemski, and Reggie Smith set a WS record by hitting three HR in an inning (the fourth). It was Petrocelli's second shot to clear Fenway's Green Monster that game. His rare combination of power and infield glove work was displayed best in 1969, when he set an AL record for most home runs by a shortstop, with 40, and tied a then-record for fewest errors by a shortstop, with 14.

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RELATED LINKS » 1967: The Fury at Fenway Submissions » Get Your Red Sox Here: Weep All About It! by Hank Festa Around the Web » Rico Petrocelli from mlb.com (01/07/02) » Crasnick: Speaking from experience from espn.com » Rico Petrocelli from baseball-reference.com Jump directly to Library content from any website!

Petrocelli was moved to third base in 1971 after Boston acquired Luis Aparicio, and led the league in fielding his first year at his new position. But elbow problems in 1974, and a leg injury and beaning in 1975, cost him playing time. He hit just seven HR in '75, but batted .308 in the WS. Inner-ear problems helped to end his career. (PB)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 12, 1967: In 40 degree weather at Fenway, Boston takes its season opener with the White Sox, 5–4, as righty Jim Lonborg wins with the help of a 3-run Rico Petrocelli home run. A pre-season poll picks the Red Sox to finish 9th. » September 20, 1967: The Red Sox, down 2–0 in Cleveland, rally on Yaz's 41st home run and a 3-run home run by Rico Petrocelli to win 5–4. Yaz, with four hits in the game, is now leading the American League with a .316 average, and is 1st in RBIs and home runs. The Twins, Tigers and White Sox all keep pace. The Twins win 6–2 as Dean Chance K's 13 for his 18th victory. Detroit routs the Yankees 10–1, while Chicago tops the Angels 6–4. » April 27, 1968: Tom Phoebus, the Orioles' top pitcher last year, throws a 6–0 no-hitter against the Red Sox. Brooks Robinson drives in three runs and makes a great stab to rob Rico Petrocelli of a hit in the 8th. Converted OF Curt Blefary catches the game. » May 16, 1969: In the highest-scoring 11th inning ever, Seattle scores six runs, then allows 5, but hangs on for a 10–9 win at Boston. Jim Bouton gets the win with three shutout innings. Wayne Comer has a pair of homers, including one in the 11th. Kenworthy adds a homer in the 11th and Rico Petrocelli goes deep in the 11th for the Sox. » September 29, 1969: Rico Petrocelli blasts his 40th home run, a season record for SS, as Boston wins 8–5 over Washington. Petrocelli is hitting .301 with only 14 errors in the field. » August 9, 1971: Despite belting six home runs -- 3 by Bill Freehan, two by Willie Horton, one by Aurelio Rodriguez -- at Fenway Park, the Tigers lose to the Red Sox, 12–11. The Sox have only one homer, a grand slam by Bob Montgomery. Rico Petrocelli's pinch single with two outs in the 9th drives home the winner. » June 21, 1972: Rico Petrocelli and Carl Yastrzemski lead the Red Sox to 11-inning, 10–9 win over Texas. Yaz collects five hits and score four times, while Rico drives in six runs, four with a grand slam. Frank Howard is 4-for-4 for Texas. Luis Tiant wins with an inning of shutout relief. » September 7, 1972: Tommy Harper and Rico Petrocelli club 3-run homers to poser the Red Sox to a 10–4 win over the Yankees and move into first place in the American League East ahead of the Tigers. Siebert adds a homer as he wins his 12th game. » June 23, 1973: In his major league debut, Orioles P Jesse Jefferson loses his shut out when Red Sox SS Rico Petrocelli lofts a Fenway homer with two out in the 9th. Baltimore pushes over a run in the 10th to give Jefferson a 10-inning, 2–1 victory.