The 2005 Boston Red Sox season was the 105th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. The Red Sox finished second in the American League East with a record of 95–67, the same record as the New York Yankees. The Yankees were deemed the division winner, due to their 10–9 head-to-head record against the Red Sox during the regular season. The Red Sox qualified for the postseason as the AL wild card, but were swept by the American League Central (and eventual World Series champion Chicago White Sox) in the ALDS.
On offense, the Red Sox led Major League Baseball in runs scored (910), hits (1,579), doubles (339), RBI (863), walks (653), batting average (.281), OBP (.357), OPS (.811) and sacrifice flies (63). Red Sox pitchers hit opposing batters with 89 pitches, the most by any major league pitching staff in 2005.
Offseason The Red Sox made a few notable offseason moves coming off their 2004 World Series championship. The team brought back Jason Varitek by re-signing the veteran catcher to a 4-year $40 million deal. Outfielder Dave Roberts – who played a key role as a base stealer during the 2004 postseason – was traded to the Padres in exchange for shortstop Ramon Vazquez and left fielder Jay Payton.
Management sought to fill the void left by Orlando Cabrera and Pokey Reese at shortstop by signing free agent Édgar Rentería to a 4-year $40 million year with a 5th year option. The move sat well with fans because Rentería was coming off a very successful 2004 campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals. Rentería hit .287 with 10 home runs and 72 RBI in 2004.
The Red Sox front office looked to bolster their starting pitching by signing two veteran pitchers. The need for starting pitching was a point of emphasize due to the departure of Pedro Martínez to the New York Mets after 7 years in a Red Sox uniform. The first pitcher signed was former Padres starter David Wells. Wells was coming off a surprising 2004 season with the Padres in which he posted a 3.73 ERA over 195 innings pitched at the age of 41. The second pitcher signed was former Cubs starter Matt Clement. Clement was coming off a season in which he posted a respectable 3.68 ERA over 181 innings pitched.
Spring training Boston Win Boston Loss
|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 1 || March 3 || Twins || 4─3 || González (1─0) || Durbin (0─1) || 1─0 || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 2 || March 4 || Northeastern Huskies || 17─0 || Wakefield || Pellegrine || 2─0 || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 3 || March 4 || Boston College || 11─5 || Timlin || Jeanes || 3─0 ||
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
+Red Sox vs. National LeagueTeamNL Central CHCCINHOUMILPITSTLATLPHIBoston1–23–0——2–11–22–13–0
Notable transactions December 17, 2004: David Wells and John Halama were signed as free agents with the Red Sox. December 19, 2004: Édgar Rentería was signed as a free agent with the Red Sox.Edgar Renteria Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com December 20, 2004: Jay Payton, Ramón Vázquez and David Pauley were acquired by the Red Sox from the Padres in exchange for Dave Roberts. December 22, 2004: Matt Clement and Wade Miller were signed as free agents with the Red Sox. January 11, 2005: David McCarty was signed as a free agent with the Red Sox.David McCarty Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com May 2, 2005: David McCarty was released by the Red Sox and granted free agency. May 2, 2005: John Olerud was signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox.John Olerud Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com June 7, 2005: Jacoby Ellsbury was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 1st round (23rd pick) of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed July 1, 2005.Jacoby Ellsbury Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com June 7, 2005: Clay Buchholz was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 1st round (42nd pick) of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed June 23, 2005.Clay Buchholz Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com July 7: 2005: Alex Cora was acquired by the Red Sox from the Indians in exchange for Ramón Vázquez.Alex Cora Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com July 13, 2005: Chad Bradford was acquired by the Red Sox from the Athletics in exchange for Jay Payton.Chad Bradford Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com July 19, 2005: Alan Embree was released by the Red Sox.Alan Embree Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com July 19, 2005: Tony Graffanino was acquired by the Red Sox from the Royals in exchange for Chip Ambres and minor leaguer Juan Cedeño.Tony Graffanino Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com July 26, 2005: John Halama was released by the Red Sox.John Halama Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com August 9, 2005: Ricky Bottalico was signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox.Ricky Bottalico Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com August 9, 2005: Mike Remlinger and cash were acquired by the Red Sox from the Cubs in exchange for minor league pitcher Olivo Astacio.Mike Remlinger Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com August 19, 2005: Mark Bellhorn was released by the Red Sox.Mark Bellhorn Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com August 25, 2005: Ricky Bottalico was released by the Red Sox. August 28, 2005: Mike Remlinger was released by the Red Sox.
Opening Day lineup 18 Johnny Damon CF16 Édgar Rentería SS24 Manny Ramirez LF34 David Ortiz DH15 Kevin Millar 1B33 Jason Varitek C44 Jay Payton RF11 Bill Mueller 3B12 Mark Bellhorn 2B 3 David Wells P
Roster 2005 Boston Red Sox Roster Pitchers Catchers
Infielders Outfielders
Designated hitter Manager
Coaches (Bullpen) (Hitting) (First base) (Bench) (Third base) (Pitching)
Game log
|- style="background-color:#ffbbbb" | 1 || April 3 || @ Yankees || 9–2 || Johnson (1–0) || Wells (0–1) || — || 54,818 || 0–1 |- style="background-color:#ffbbbb" | 2 || April 5 || @ Yankees || 4–3 || Rivera (1–0) || Foulke (0–1) || — || 54,690 || 0–2 |- style="background-color:#bbffbb" | 3 || April 6 || @ Yankees || 7–3 || Timlin (1–0) || Rivera (1–1) || — || 55,165 || 1–2 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 4 || April 8 || @ Blue Jays || 6–5 || Arroyo (1–0) || Bush (0–1)|| Foulke (1) || 50,560 || 2–2 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 5 || April 9 || @ Blue Jays || 12–5 || Frasor (1–0)|| Wells (0–2) || — || 28,765 || 2–3 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 6 || April 10 || @ Blue Jays || 4–3 || Batista (1–0) || Timlin (1–1) || — || 22,845 || 2–4 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 7 || April 11 || Yankees || 8–1 || Wakefield (1–0) || Mussina (0–1) || — || 33,702 || 3–4 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 8 || April 13 || Yankees || 5–2 || Wright (1–1) || Schilling (0–1)|| Rivera (2) || 35,115 || 3–5 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 9 || April 14 || Yankees || 8–5 || Foulke (1–1) || Gordon (0–1) || — || 35,251 || 4–5 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 10 || April 15 || Devil Rays || 10–0 || Wells (1–2) || Nomo (1–1) || — || 35,023 || 5–5 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 11 || April 16 || Devil Rays || 6–2 || Clement (1–0) || Brazelton (0–3) || — || 35,106 || 6–5 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 12 || April 17 || Devil Rays || 3–1 || Wakefield (2–0) || Kazmir (0–1) || Foulke (2) || 35,232 || 7–5 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 13 || April 18 || Blue Jays || 12–7 || Schilling (1–1) || Bush (0–2) || — || 35,243 || 8–5 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 14 || April 19 || Blue Jays || 4–3 || Halladay (3–0) || Foulke (1–2) || Batista (4) || 35,598 || 8–6 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 15 || April 20 || @ Orioles || 8–0 || Wells (2–2) || Chen (1–1) || — || 36,478 || 9–6 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 16 || April 21 || @ Orioles || 1–0 || Clement (2–0) || López (2–1) || Foulke (3) || 40,419 || 10–6 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 17 || April 22 || @ Devil Rays || 5–4 || Báez (3–0) || Embree (0–1) || — || 30,530 || 10–7 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 18 || April 23 || @ Devil Rays || 6–5 || Fossum (1–1) || Schilling (1–2) || Carter (1) || 33,220 || 10–8 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 19 || April 24 || @ Devil Rays || 11–3 || Arroyo (2–0) || Nomo (2–2) || — || 30,236 || 11–8 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 20 || April 25 || Orioles || 8–4 || Chen (2–1) || Wells (2–3) || — || 35,003 || 11–9 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 21 || April 26 || Orioles || 11–8 || Julio (1–0) || Foulke (1–3) || Ryan (3) || 35,670 || 11–10 |- style="background-color:#BBBBBB" | – || April 27 || Orioles || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 22 || April 29 || @ Rangers || 7–2 || Park (3–1) || Wakefield (2–1) || Mahay (1) || 43,933 || 11–11 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 23 || April 30 || @ Rangers || 9–2 || Arroyo (3–0) || Astacio (1–3) || — || 44,114 || 12–11
|- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 24 || May 1 || @ Rangers || 6–5 || Clement (3–0) || Drese (2–3) || Foulke (4) || 49,342 || 13–11 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 25 || May 2 || @ Tigers || 8–3 || Bonderman (4–2) || Neal (0–1) || Urbina (1) || 17,497 || 13–12 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 26 || May 3 || @ Tigers || 5–3 || Halama (1–0) || Maroth (2–2) || Foulke (5) || 19,121 || 14–12 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 27 || May 4 || @ Tigers || 4–3 || Wakefield (3–1) || Farnsworth (1–1) || Foulke (6) || 23,295 || 15–12 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 28 || May 5 || @ Tigers || 2–1 || Arroyo (4–0) || Urbina (0–3) || Foulke (7) || 24,870 || 16–12 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 29 || May 6 || Mariners || 7–2 || Clement (4–0) || Moyer (4–1) || — || 35,229 || 17–12 |- style="background-color:#BBBBBB" | – || May 7 || Mariners || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 30 || May 8 || Mariners || 6–3 || González (1–0) || Piñeiro (2–3) || Foulke (8) || 34,848 || 18–12 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 31 || May 8 || Mariners || 6–4 || Franklin (2–4) || Halama (1–1) || Guardado (9) || 34,671 || 18–13 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 32 || May 9 || Athletics || 13–5 || Wakefield (4–1) || Haren (1–5) || — || 35,000 || 19–13 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 33 || May 10 || Athletics || 3–2 || Matt Mantei (1–0) || Dotel (1–1) || — || 35,644 || 20–13 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 34 || May 11 || Athletics || 6–5 || Foulke (2–3) || Dotel (1–2) || — || 35,375 || 21–13 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 35 || May 13 || @ Mariners || 14–7 || Mateo (1–0) || González (1–1) || — || 44,534 || 21–14 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 36 || May 14 || @ Mariners || 6–3 || Myers (1–0) || Villone (0–2) || Foulke (9) || 46,229 || 22–14 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 37 || May 15 || @ Mariners || 5–4 || Meche (3–2) || Wakefield || Guardado (10) || 46,145 || 22–15 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 38 || May 16 || @ Athletics || 6–4 || Yabu (3–0) || Myers (1–1) || Dotel (7) || 30,281 || 22–16 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 39 || May 17 || @ Athletics || 7–5 || Embree (1–1) || Cruz (0–2) || Foulke (10) || 29,494 || 23–16 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 40 || May 18 || @ Athletics || 13–6 || Etherton (1–0) || Wells (2–4) || — || 42,705 || 23–17 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 41 || May 20 || Braves || 4–3 || Miller (1–0) || Hudson (4–3) || Foulke (11) || 35,332 || 24–17 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 42 || May 21 || Braves || 7–5 || Davies (1–0) || Wakefield (4–3) || — || 35,008 || 24–18 |- style="background-color:#BBFFBB" | 43 || May 22 || Braves || 5–2 || Clement (5–0) || Colón (0–1) || — || 34,844 || 25–18 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 44 || May 24 || @ Blue Jays || 9–6 || Batista (3–0) || Embree (1–2) || — || 34,280 || 25–19 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 45 || May 25 || @ Blue Jays || 6–1 || Lilly (3–4) || Arroyo (4–1) || — || 23,221 || 25–20 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB" | 46 || May 26 || @ Blue Jays || 8–1 || Chacín (5–3) || Miller (1–1) || Walker (2) || 26,255 || 25–21 |- style="background-color:#FFBBBB"