Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen

August 17, 1986 is such an important date for Boston Red Sox fans. That’s when the Sox traded a young shortstop for a couple of veterans who would play a pivotal role that would lead them to within one out for their first World Series victory. Now, we all know what happened in that World Series, but I wanted to analyze the Dave Henderson/Spike Owen trade for a second.

Diving into the Boston Red Sox trade that landed Dave Henderson and Spike Owen

The Boston Red Sox were stacked with some really great talent. Wade Boggs, Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, and Bill Buckner led a potent offense. On the mound, Boston had Roger Clemens, Bruce Hurst, and one of the all time best player nicknames, Oil Can Boyd.

The roster, however, had a few issues too. Tony Armas, the 1983 home run champion, was having a down year. In fact, he went from 43 home runs in 1983 to just 11 in 1986. Leg injuries, specifically a sprained ankle, was really sapping his power and his ability to even play the field once the World Series started. Shortstop was also an issue. They had a young guy named Rey Quinonez. He was a 22-year-old rookie in the middle of a pennant chase. They needed a more veteran guy to play that position, so they pulled the trigger and got Spike Owen and Dave Henderson from the Seattle Mariners.

Here’s where things get interesting. Watch any segment about this team and this year and you’ll see one thing that really sticks out: Henderson’s home run against Donnie Moore in the ALCS. It really was a game- and series-changer. You would think he had a great ALCS statistically, right? Wrong! In fact, that home run was the only hit he got in that series! I was surprised by this, even though I watched this as a teenager. Armas was still playing center field, so Henderson was a spare part. He even only batted .196 for the Sox during the regular season. I guess that made this shot so much more powerful because it came from a guy who was struggling.

On the other hand, Spike Owen had a great playoffs statistically. Even though he only batted .183 during the regular season, boy did he pick it up in the playoffs. In the ALCS, he hit a whopping .429 and hit .300 in the World Series. Funny thing is that you never hear that. I know I heard about Marty Barrett had a great playoff (.367 and .433, respectively) but not too much love for Owen. I think it’s time we show some love to Spike!

Not to diminish Henderson’s contributions, but Owen really was the best player in that trade. He played every day and help solidify the shortstop position. Henderson got hot at the right time and Red Sox fans are forever grateful for what he did, but I’m staying on Camp Owen! He even stayed a year and a half as the primary shortstop until he was dealt to Montreal.

Looking back, it shows what a great trade it turned out to be with the edge going to Owen for all he did in that playoff run.