- It didn't take the new regime in Boston long to make a big move. And when the new regime of Dick O'Connell and Billy Herman made the move, it was aimed at one thing only: D-E-F-E-N-S-E. Practically on the eve of the World Series, the Red Sox anounced they had traded righthanded pitcher Bill Monbouquette (13-14; 3.78) to the Tigers for outfielder George Thomas (.237; 169 AB) and infielder George Smith (.064; 47 AB). The deal was consummated the morning after the season ended, but held up for announcement until both Tiger and Red Sox officials arrived in the Twin Cities for the start of the World Series. It stunned many Boston fans that local boy Monbouquette was traded away for two players who did not play full time in 1965, yet those who have been close to Herman should not have been surprised by the deal. "This trade is only the beginning of what we hope to accomplish. We finished ninth with a good-hitting ball club. Now, we will see what we can do with a team which can field. We are going to have better defense. We are not worried about how much we might improve some other team with the player we give them. Our only concern is improving the Red Sox with the players we get in return."
For several months the Red Sox have been trying to land Thomas - a righthanded hitter who can play good defense - but the price was always too high. The trade was close to being made last May, but it fell through. Center field has been a problem with the Red Sox ever since Jimmy Piersall was traded. Both Tony Coniglaro and Carl Yastrzemski were tried there this year, but both failed the test. In midseason,Herman brought up Jim (Goose) Gosger from Toronto. Gosger, a lefty hitter, batted well in his first month, but it became obvious to all those involved that Gosger could not hit well enough to hold the job on a full-time basis. The case of Smith, a second baseman, is different. His reputation is one of a good fielder, one with good speed who cannot hit. "Hit or not, we need his defense in the infield," Herman said.
- Billy Herman made a most revealing statement during a lengthy press conference following the trade.While discussing Boston's perennial catching problems, Herman said" "I don't care of Mike Ryan hits .100 next year. He is my No. 1 catcher. He will get the job because he is one of the best defensive catchers I have seen in this league in many years." Ryan hit .209 for the Red Sox this year in limited service. The moment Herman made his statement on Ryan, Boston reporters figured Bob Tillman - the No. 1 catcher this year who hit only .179 - will soon be traded.
- The Boston club is getting more and more enthusiastic about the chances of Joe Foy, hard-hitting third baseman who led the International League in hitting, becoming a solid ball player for them. Their own experts have been backed up by many scouts from other clubs in the belief that Foy will be a good major league player.
