Bruce Hurst was widely considered a good player for the Boston Red Sox, particularly for his contributions in the 1986 World Series. While he had a 42-46 record and a 4.59 ERA before that season, his performance in the 1986 postseason was notable, including two wins and a stellar 1.96 ERA. He also established a Red Sox record for lefties with 189 strikeouts.  In the 1986 World Series, Hurst pitched brilliantly holding the New York Mets to just four hits in the Game 1 pitchers’ duel with Ron Darling, won 1–0 by the Red Sox.In Game 5, Hurst pitched a complete game victory to give Boston a 3–2 lead in the Series. Notably with Boston leading 5–3 in the 10th inning of Game 6, the Mets were down to their last out with no one on base. A Red Sox World Series victory seemed likely as the Shea Stadiums Score-Board was set to display “Congratulations Boston Red Sox, 1986 World Champions.” Hurst had been selected as the World Series Most Valuable Player until the Mets rallied to win the game with three runs, forcing a decisive Game 7. He set a Red Sox record for left-handers with 189 strikeouts in 1986. His 56 wins at Fenway Park are second among left-handers for the Red Sox.

Bruce Hurst was widely considered a good player for the Boston Red Sox, particularly for his contributions in the 1986 World Series. While he had a 42-46 record and a 4.59 ERA before that season, his performance in the 1986 postseason was notable, including two wins and a stellar 1.96 ERA. He also established a Red Sox record for lefties with 189 strikeouts.

In the 1986 World Series, Hurst pitched brilliantly holding the New York Mets to just four hits in the Game 1 pitchers’ duel with Ron Darling, won 1–0 by the Red Sox.In Game 5, Hurst pitched a complete game victory to give Boston a 3–2 lead in the Series. Notably with Boston leading 5–3 in the 10th inning of Game 6, the Mets were down to their last out with no one on base. A Red Sox World Series victory seemed likely as the Shea Stadiums Score-Board was set to display “Congratulations Boston Red Sox, 1986 World Champions.” Hurst had been selected as the World Series Most Valuable Player until the Mets rallied to win the game with three runs, forcing a decisive Game 7. He set a Red Sox record for left-handers with 189 strikeouts in 1986. His 56 wins at Fenway Park are second among left-handers for the Red Sox.

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Bruce Hurst may not always be the first name that comes to mind when discussing the storied history of the Boston Red Sox, but his performance—particularly in the 1986 season and World Series—cements his legacy as one of the franchise’s most impactful pitchers. A left-handed starter known for his deceptive delivery and sharp breaking ball, Hurst was instrumental in the Red Sox’s memorable but ultimately heartbreaking run to the brink of a championship in 1986.

 

Before 1986, Hurst had shown flashes of talent but had yet to establish consistent success. Over the course of his early career with the Red Sox, his record stood at 42–46 with a 4.59 ERA—solid but not spectacular numbers that reflected both growing pains and injuries. Still, the Red Sox held faith in his potential, and that patience paid off in a major way during the 1986 season.

 

Hurst emerged as a key piece of Boston’s rotation that year, setting a franchise record for strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher with 189. His performance at Fenway Park was particularly notable; over his career, Hurst accumulated 56 wins at home—second all-time among Red Sox left-handers. He demonstrated an ability to dominate opponents with a mix of fastballs and well-placed off-speed pitches, becoming a reliable presence every fifth day for a team with postseason aspirations.

 

It was, however, in the 1986 postseason that Bruce Hurst truly etched his name into Red Sox lore. During the playoffs, Hurst elevated his game significantly, delivering performances that would put him in contention for World Series MVP honors. Across the postseason, he posted a sterling 1.96 ERA and won two crucial games in the World Series against the New York Mets.

 

In Game 1 of the World Series at Shea Stadium, Hurst went toe-to-toe with Mets right-hander Ron Darling in a classic pitchers’ duel. He allowed only four hits over eight innings, shutting down a powerful Mets lineup and giving Boston a 1–0 victory—a critical tone-setter for the series. His command, poise, and ability to neutralize key Mets hitters gave the Red Sox early momentum.

 

Hurst’s brilliance continued in Game 5 at Fenway Park. With the series tied at two games apiece, Hurst delivered a complete-game victory to give the Red Sox a 3–2 series lead heading back to New York. Once again, he kept the Mets off balance, mixing speeds and locations with surgical precision. That win put Boston just one game away from capturing its first World Series title since 1918.

 

In fact, Bruce Hurst was so dominant through the first five games of the series that he had already been unofficially named the World Series Most Valuable Player going into Game 6. With the Red Sox leading 5–3 in the 10th inning and just one out away from glory, the Shea Stadium scoreboard was poised to flash a message congratulating Boston on the championship. But then came one of the most infamous collapses in baseball history.

 

A series of improbable Mets hits and a fateful error by first baseman Bill Buckner allowed New York to stage a stunning comeback, winning Game 6 and forcing a decisive Game 7. In a cruel twist of fate, the MVP trophy that seemed destined for Hurst was withdrawn, as the Mets captured the championship the following night. Hurst did pitch again in Game 7, starting on just two days’ rest, but fatigue and a rain delay that pushed the game back a day contributed to a less dominant outing.

 

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Hurst’s performance in the series remains one of the finest by a Red Sox pitcher in postseason history. His poise under pressure, ability to rise in the biggest moments, and the near-MVP recognition showcase the vital role he played in one of the most memorable World Series ever contested.

 

While his career may not have included a championship ring, Bruce Hurst’s contributions in 1986 stand as a testament to his talent and competitive spirit. His achievements—particularly that record-setting strikeout total, his postseason heroics, and his place in Red Sox history as one of the most dependable left-handers to pitch at Fenway—ensure that his legacy remains secure among fans who lived through that unforgettable sea