Over the years it became overshadowed by the later inning drama of Game 6 of the 1975 World Series between the Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds; Bernie Carbo's pinch hit 3-run homer with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the 8th, Denny Doyle getting thrown out at the plate in the bottom of the 9th, Dwight Evans' miraculous snag of Joe Morgan's line drive in the 11th, and Carlton Fisk's dramatic walk off home run in the 12th, but I still vividly remember the incident depicted above, which occurred in the 5th inning, and the image of a crumpled Fred Lynn so still at the base of the Fenway Park centerfield wall.
The Big Red Machine was ahead 3-2, entering Game 6, and looking to wind things up. Sox starting pitcher Luis Tiant got through the first 4 innings before running out of gas. At that point, the Sox were up 3-0 on a three-run home run by rookie sensation Lynn.
In the top of the 5th, Tiant got Caesar Geronimo to fly out but then walked Ed Armbrister and gave up a single to Pete Rose, leaving runners on 1st and 3rd. Next up was Ken Griffey Sr and he slammed a hanging breaking pitch deep to center. Lynn racing after it crashed into the concrete wall (padding was added later) and slumped awkwardly and immobile at the base of the wall. Griffey ended up on third and two runs scored. Meanwhile, the crowd was completely silent as Lynn stayed motionless. It was also silent in the living room in which I watched in Maynard, Massachusetts. Everyone was wondering if he had broken his neck or back.
As Lynn explained years later in this video, he turned just as he hit the wall so that his back, not head, took the impact. He was fully conscious when he was on the ground, but initially he could not feel anything below his waist and thought the best course of action was not to move. Fortunately, he got the feeling back and was able to continue in the game, but I will never forget that moment.
Fred Lynn has a very positive, upbeat twitter account, and often visits Fenway. Take a look.
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