EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is an excerpt from The Big 50: Boston Red Sox, written by NBC Sports Bostons Evan Drellich and published by Triumph Books earlier this year.
Henri Stanley never made the majors, so you shouldn’t feel bad if you lack any recollection of his name, which is pronounced Ahn-ree. But if by some chance you do remember why he matters to Red Sox Nation, congratulations on that big, spacious brain you’re carrying. We hope you play trivia in Allston.
Stanley, who went undrafted out of Clemson, had the minor league numbers—including a career .857 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS)—as well as the skillset to get at least a cup of coffee in the bigs. He had a good batting eye, some pop. He could run too. Stanley got as far as Triple A for multiple clubs, including the Red Sox. He probably would have gotten a call-up in today’s game, where there’s a greater appreciation for statistics. Today, he’s helping others make their way, working as a player agent.
But occasionally — every once in a blue moon — someone will remember that other thing Stanley was involved with. He is the guy the Red Sox traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Dave Roberts at the 2004 trade deadline. And Roberts proved the catalyst to the greatest postseason comeback in baseball history.
Click here to read the full story from Evan Drellich on NBC Sports Boston.
