Dwight Evans did not enter the bright lights of baseball with much fanfare or fanfare. He slipped quietly into the professional game, almost unrecognized, the way legends often do before the world even knew what they were seeing. Selected in the fifth round of the 1969 MLB Draft, 107th overall, Evans was just a kid with a strong arm, a sturdy build, and a quiet, unassuming focus that left a lasting impression. Just 17 years old, his eyes innocent but full of desire, he dreamed of big ballparks, far beyond the small grass fields where he grew up.
The journey began with the Florida Instructional League Red Sox in 1969, followed by a summer with the Jamestown Falcons. The early years were filled with long bus rides, dusty fields, and the grind of chasing a dream with no guarantees. There were nights when the lights were broken, the crowds were sparse, and the smell of popcorn and damp grass was strong, but Evans persevered. Greenville in 1970, Winston-Salem in 1971, Louisville in 1972. Each place, each step brought him closer to something great.
In Winston-Salem, Evans earned the nickname “Dewey” from coach Don Lock. No flash, no flash, just plain, down-to-earth, just like Evans himself. By 1972, with the Louisville Colonels in Triple-A, Evans was no longer the average guy. He dominated, winning International League MVP, signaling his transformation from prospect to major-league star.
In September 1972, the dream became a reality. The Red Sox called him up, and Evans debuted in Cleveland in a 10–0 win over Boston. The numbers were modest—.263, one home run, six RBIs—but close observers saw something else: his arm, his composure, the way he stood in right field like he had been there all along.
Initially, Evans stood out more defensively than offensively. He was a mainstay in the outfield—graceful, alert, instinctive. He would win eight Gold Gloves. But in his early years, he was still learning how to hit. Evans was no homer machine; he built his swing with time, patience, and failure.
In 1973, Evans was given the number 24, after his idol Willie Mays. The number stuck with him throughout his career. That same year, he took over the Red Sox’s right field position, a position he held for 15 seasons. The progress was slow and steady: .223 with 10 home runs in 1973, .281 with 10 in 1974.
1975, a legendary season, the Red Sox advanced to the World Series, facing the Big Red Machine. Evans wasn’t the centerpiece, but his moment was unforgettable. Game 6, 11th inning, Joe Morgan hit a ball to right field. Evans ran, jumped, caught the ball before it hit the fence, and threw it to first base for a double play. Seconds later, Carlton Fisk made the moment immortal with a historic home run.
From 1976–1980, Evans became a mainstay in right field. The numbers continued to climb: .260 average, 94 home runs, nearly 300 RBIs. A knee injury in 1977 didn’t stop him; in 1978 he was selected for the first time as an All-Star. 1981, a strike-shortened season, Evans exploded: leading in total bases, OPS, walks, and sharing the home run title. At 29, Evans had become a complete player, both a key hitter and a spiritual leader for the Red Sox.
Dwight “Dewey” Evans – from a regular kid, through dusty bus rides, small field turf, to Boston Red Sox immortality – is a living testament to the patience, dedication, and spirit that transcends all limits in baseball.
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