Boston Red Sox
With the Detroit lineup crowded with big hitting outfielders, the Tigers sold Flagstead to the Boston Red Sox on April 20, 1923. Flagstead thrived in Boston, playing in right field in 1923 and as the starting center fielder for five straight years from 1924–1928.
Flagstead proved to be an excellent center fielder, with speed, a strong arm, and a reliable glove. In 1925, his range factor of 3.15 was 0.88 points higher than the league average. He also led all American League outfielders in assists in 1923 with 31 and in 1925 with 24. In 1927, he led all American League outfielders with a .986 fielding percentage in 1927.
On April 19, 1926, Flagstead also set the American League record, and tied the major league record by starting three double plays as an outfielder in a game. Two of the double plays were fly balls that Flagstead caught and then threw out runners trying to score from third base. The third was scored 8-5-4-2. (Although records are conflicting, there is some evidence that he also accomplished the feat on August 25, 1925.)
Though he never matched the batting numbers of his rookie season, Flagstead was a solid hitter for the Red Sox. In 1923, he hit .312 for the Red Sox, and in 1924, he hit .307 with a .401 on base percentage, collected career highs in runs (106), hits (172), and walks (77). And in 1928, he was among the league leaders with 41 doubles.
Flagstead scored five runs in a game twice in his career. He accomplished the feat on May 8, 1925, in a 15-7 victory over the Tigers, and again on August 29, 1927, in a 10-2 victory over the Indians.
Flagstead was the most reliable player on the Red Sox teams from 1924–1928, and he was voted among the Top 25 in the AL MVP voting in each of those years: #15 in 1924; #7 in 1925; #23 in 1926; #18 in 1927; and #14 in 1928.
In 1928, Boston fans held an "Ira Flagstead Day" and presented him with $1,000 in gold, a new automobile and other gifts.
Flagstead was selected as one of the "Top 100 Red Sox" of all time, placing at #97.
Read more about this topic: Ira Flagstead
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