23 players from the New England state of Connecticut have donned a Boston Red Sox uniform during their Major League careers. Connecticut is unique, in that depending on where one lives in the state, one could live physically closer to New York and not surprisingly, (but agonizingly), root for the Red Sox’s arch nemesis, the New York Yankees, despite being a New England state. Alternatively, some fans may root for the New York Mets. Regardless, for this article, Connecticut will be considered a New England state, and the Red Sox considered the “hometown team”, of the following players who played for them.
Connecticut-Born Red Sox Players: Part 1
Pete (Jablonowski) Appleton
The pride of Terryville, born Peter Jablonowski, Pete Appleton‘s career with the Red Sox was a short one. During the 1932 season, Appleton appeared in 11 games for the Red Sox. Over those 11 games (46.0 innings) Appleton was 0-3 with a 4.11 ERA. He allowed 35 runs (21 earned) on 49 hits while striking out 15 and walking 26. He was then traded to the Newark Bears, an International League team and affiliate of the New York Yankees. Appleton would go on to pitch parts of nine more seasons in the big leagues before calling it quits in 1945.
Matt Barnes
Approximately 50 miles northeast of New York City lies Bethel, Connecticut, home of one-time Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes. From 2014 to 2023, Barnes was a member of the Red Sox bullpen. In 429 appearances (431 2/3 innings) with the club, Barnes was 32-30 with a 4.07 ERA. He struck out 556 while walking 200. In those nine years with Boston, Barnes gave up 209 runs (195 earned) on 379 hits. During the 2023 season, Barnes was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for relief pitcher Richard Bleier.
Matt Barnes made 429 appearances for the Red Sox, the 3rd most in team history. He also compiled 556 strikeouts, 32 wins + 47 saves.
In the 2018 World Series, he tossed three scoreless outings and in the process became a World Champion.
Thanks for everything, Matty Backpacks! pic.twitter.com/anGX9IY5K0
— Triston Casas Enjoyer (@CasasGOAT) January 25, 2023
John “Jack” Barry
Born in Meriden on April 26, 1887, Jack Barry began his Red Sox career in 1915. Acquired for $8,000 from the Philadelphia Athletics during the 1915 season, the middle infielder became a key component of the Red Sox’s World Series teams in 1915 and 1916. Barry would spend the remainder of his career in Boston, missing the 1918 season to serve in World War I. For his Red Sox career, the infielder who was known more for his glove than his bat appeared in 319 games, batting .224 with two home runs and 78 RBI. Upon returning from his military service, Barry would play the 1919 season with the Sox before hanging up his glove for good.
Darren Bragg
Born in Waterbury, Darren Bragg spent part of the 1996 through 1998 seasons in Beantown. During that span, the outfielder saw action in 340 games, in which he batted .264 with 20 home runs and 136 RBI. Bragg’s time in Boston would be the most productive of his major league career.
Craig Breslow
The current Chief Baseball Officer of the Red Sox was born in New Haven. As a player, Craig Breslow had two stints with the Red Sox. His first came in 2006. In 13 appearances (12 innings), Breslow was 0-2 with a 3.75 ERA. He allowed five runs (all earned) on 12 hits while striking out 12 and walking six. Boston called Breslow up to the major league roster again in 2007, but he did not make an appearance.
It would be nearly five seasons before Breslow would once again take the mound as a member of the Red Sox. Acquired via trade during the 2012 season from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Breslow would go on to pitch for the Red Sox through the 2015 season. In his second stint (as a player) in Boston, Breslow was 8-10 with a 3.65 ERA. He appeared in 189 games (198 1/3 innings) allowing 96 runs (84 earned) on 205 hits. He struck out 135 while walking 78.
Rajai Davis
Norwich’s own, Rajai Davis‘ was a member of the Red Sox during the 2017 season. The 2016 AL stolen-bases leader was acquired from the Oakland Athletics during the 2017 season. Davis appeared in 17 games for the Red Sox, batting .250 without a home run, but he did drive in two. He also had three stolen bases in his brief tenure with the Sox.
Walt Dropo
Known as the “Moose from Moosup”, Walt Dropo‘s career as a member of the Red Sox began during the 1949 season. Dropo would go on to spend parts of the next three seasons with the Red Sox, including his first full season in 1950. The first baseman would be named to the All-Star team, along with winning the Rookie of the Year award, as he led the AL in RBI (144) during that 1950 season. For his Red Sox career, which came to an end with a trade to the Detroit Tigers in 1952, Dropo batted .281 with 51 home runs, while driving in 229.
Billy Gardner
Waterford’s Billy Gardner spent a total of 89 games with the Red Sox. During the 1962 and 1963 seasons, the infielder batted .247, without a home run, but drove in 13.
George “Candy” LaChance
The pride of Putnam, George LaChance‘s career in Beantown began with the predecessor to the Red Sox moniker. Back when LaChance played, the team was known as the Boston Americans, from their inception in 1901 until they officially became known as the Red Sox in 1908. The shortstop/first baseman started his Americans career in 1902 and was a member of the Americans through 1905. During that time, LaChance batted .251 with eight home runs and 161 RBI.
Roger LaFrancois
The second player on the list hailing from Norwich, Roger LaFrancois spent the 1982 season as Boston’s third catcher. In his eight-game major league career, all with the Red Sox, LaFrancois batted .400 (4 for 10) with an RBI.
Joe Lahoud
Danbury-born Joe Lahoud was an outfielder and designated hitter. He played his first four Major League seasons (1968-1971) with the Red Sox. During those four seasons, Lahoud batted .205 with 26 home runs and 64 RBI.
Brian Looney
The second player born in New Haven on this list, Brian Looney spent part of the 1995 season with the Red Sox. In three games (four and two-thirds innings) Looney was 0-1 with a 17.36 ERA. He gave up nine runs (all earned) on 12 hits, in his brief Red Sox tenure. He also struck out two and walked four.
Photo Credit: “Craig Breslow warmup” by Dennis Heller is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
