Pitcher Vince Molyneaux — 1918: Babe Ruth and the World Champion BostonRed Sox by Allan Wood

Vince Molyneaux

Vincent Leo Molyneaux was a member of the 1918 Red Sox for about two months. The 29-year-old right-hander had been cut by the St. Louis Browns early in the season and was signed by Harry Frazee on May 21.

Molyneaux threw a good spitball. He was used as a second-string pitcher out of the bullpen, mopping up in blow-outs or when the rest of the staff was overworked (such as when Boston played back-to-back doubleheaders).

Molyneaux appeared in a total of six games for Boston. In 10.2 innings, he allowed only 3 hits but walked 8. His record was 1-0 and his ERA was 3.38. On July 19, he was sent down to Jersey City of the International League. Molyneaux’s only other major league experience was with the 1917 Browns.

I recently purchased this photograph of Molyneaux. Since he was not with the Red Sox at the end of the season, he does not appear in any of the existing team photographs. The date on the back of the photo is June 7, 1918. On that day, the Red Sox were in Cleveland — and Molyneaux is wearing his road uniform in the photo. He pitched that day — a 14-7 loss — walking two men and throwing two wild pitches in two-thirds of an inning.