Red Sox Puzzle Cache Mystery Cache
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Size: 
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In honor of my 40th season as a fan of the Boston Red Sox, this puzzle cache is centered around players from the early 1970s, which is when I began following the Red Sox. The coordinates listed above are for the trailhead. The cache is located in AVIS's Rafton Reservation, one of my favorite places for hiking and snowshoeing. In order to find the cache, you will need to solve the below puzzle, and scratch your brain (or keyboard) a bit to find some information about obscure Red Sox players from the early 1970s. In honor of our beloved Boston Red Sox, it is my hope that you can help me keep this cache filled with Red Sox related trade items. There is also a special prize in the cache for the FTF.
The cache coordinates are as follows: North: AB.CD.EFG West: HIJ.KL.MNO
AB: Uniform number worn by pitcher Sonny Siebert during his years with the Sox (1970-73). During his 12 year major league career, Siebert won 140 games and was selected to the All Star team twice. Siebert and his wife, Shelly, were last seen selling seashells by the seashore.
CD: Uniform number worn by backup catcher Tim Blackwell in 1975. When Carleton Fisk and the ever-reliable Bob Montgomery are in front of you on the depth chart, you don't get to play too much. Blackwell was a career .228 hitter with a total of 6 HRs during his 10 year career with the Sox, Cubs, and Les Expos.
E: Number of RBIs collected by slugging first baseman/outfielder Bob Burda in 1972. In spite of the friendly confines of Fenway Park, Burda only managed to bat .164 with 2 HRs during his one season in a Red Sox uniform.
F: Number of batters that were hit by a pitch thrown by Red Sox lefthander pitcher Gary Peters in 1971. Peters was a two-time All Star, and earned the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 1963. The same year, Pete Rose was the NL Rookie of the Year winner. Peters had a respectable record of 33-25 during his three years (1970-72) with the Red Sox.
G: Number of shutouts thrown by lefthander John Curtis in 1973. As a 25 year old former first round pick, Curtis started 30 games and logged 10 complete games in 1973. Later in 1973, Curtis was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals along with Lynn McGlothen for Reggie Cleveland and Diego Segui. Curtis went on to pitch 15 years in the big leagues and closed out his career with a 89-97 record.
H: Number of home runs slugged by Buddy Hunter during his entire major league career. Hunter saw limited action with the Sox between 1971-75.
I: Number of base hits stroked by pitcher Ray Culp in 1972. This was the last season before the DH came into existence in the American League. Culp compiled a 71-58 record during his six years with the Red Sox. This two-time All Star also pitched for the Cubs and Phillies.
J: Number of Gold Gloves won by Doug Griffin during his Red Sox career (1971-77). The light hitting Griffin was traded to the Red Sox in exchange for popular local product, Tony Conigliaro. During his Red Sox career, Griffin blossomed into a slick fielding second baseman. Unfortunately, his career was cut short by unfortunate beaning incidents in 1974 and 1975. He was the first of three starting second basemen (Denny Doyle, Jerry Remy) who were acquired from the California Angels.
KL: Uniform number worn by utility infielder John E. Kennedy, aka "Super Sub". Kennedy played with the Sox from 1970-74. He hit a HR in his first major league at bat in 1962 while with the Senators. He not only shared a first name and last name with the 35th President, but also shared a birthday (May 29) with him as well. He hit .225 with 32 HRs over his 12 year career with the Senators, Dodgers, Yankees, Brewers, Pilots, and Red Sox.
M: Uniform number worn by utility player, Phil Gagliano during 1971-72 seasons. Gagliano batted .287 and played five different positions during his Red Sox career. He also batted .354 as a pinch hitter with the Sox. Gagliano was a member of the 1967 St. Louis Cardinals team which defeated the Red Sox in the 1967 World Series. His brother, Ralph, played very briefly (one game) for the Indians in 1965.
N: Uniform number worn by fleet-footed outfielder, Tommy Harper, during his Red Sox career (1972-74). Tommy stole a team record of 54 bases in 1973, while getting caught only 14 times. This record stood until Jacoby Ellsbury broke his record in 2009. During his 15 year career, Tommy stole 408 bases and hit 146 HRs. He later became a coach with the Red Sox.
O: Number of runs scored by Joe Lahoud in 1970. This native of Danbury, CT batted .205 with 26 HRs during his four seasons with the Red Sox. After the 1971 season, he was dealt to the Brewers in a blockbuster trade along with George Scott, Ken Brett, and Billy Conigliaro for Marty Pattin, Tommy Harper, and Lew Krausse. Lahoud went on to bat .223 with 65 HRs over his 11 year career with the Sox, Brewers, Royals, Rangers, and Angels.
Congratulations to PRINC3SS for being the FTF!
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Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
N cynpr gung Jnyyl gur Terra Zbafgre zvtug uvqr.