Red Sox History: Carlton Fisk Free Agent After Deadline Missed
By David Hill
Carlton Fisk was one of the top catchers in baseball history, splitting his career with the Red Sox and White Sox. He left Boston as a free agent when, on this day in 1980, the Red Sox missed the deadline to tender him a contract.
One of the great catchers in baseball throughout his career, Carlton Fisk was one of the best catchers in the 1970’s. He made six All Star Games, won the 1972 Rookie of the Year award, and was a Gold Glove caliber defensive player. Fisk was also a stellar hitter, helping to solidify the Red Sox lineup.
A popular player in Boston, Fisk nonetheless ran afoul of the franchise in the latter part of the decade. He was one of the players who called out General Manager Haywood Sullivan for refusing to pay players what they were worth. With Fisk’s contract being up at the end of the 1980 season, it was expected that negotiations would take on a heated tone.
However, there was a deadline that needed to be met for Fisk to remain with the Red Sox. If he was not offered a contract by this day, he would become a free agent. That came to pass, as one of the top catchers in the game entered the marketplace, free to sell his services to the highest bidder.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
As it turned out, the Red Sox and Sullivan did attempt to offer him a contract. The problem was, Sullivan put that contract in the mail one day after the deadline, meaning that Fisk had technically reached free agency. In March of 1981, Fisk signed on with the Chicago White Sox, where he continued his record breaking career.
Fisk did not have to wait long to show Boston what they had lost. The White Sox were in Boston on Opening Day in 1981, and were trailing 3-2 in the top of the eighth inning. With runners on second and third and one out, Fisk took reliever Bob Stanley deep for a three run home run, providing the White Sox with the eventual victory.
He would go on to play 13 years with the White Sox, making four All Star Games and winning a Silver Slugger award. Fisk was also involved in several historic events, catching Tom Seaver‘s 300th career victory and Bobby Thigpen‘s 57th save in 1990. He also set several records for a catcher, with the most games behind the plate and most home runs.
Next: Braun's PED history causing trade concerns
The Red Sox were notorious for their cheapness in the 1970’s. On this day in 1980, that desire to save a couple of dollars caught up with them, as Carlton Fisk became a free agent.