FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Former closer Keith Foulke, who fielded perhaps the most memorable out in Red Sox history, has returned to the club as a player development consultant.
Foulke started his new job at Spring Training on Thursday, working with Minor Leaguers.
The 43-year-old joins an impressive stable of retired Red Sox players who serve as instructors in Spring Training, a list that includes Carl Yastrzemski, Pedro Martinez, Jim Rice, Tim Wakefield, Dwight Evans, Luis Tiant and Jason Varitek.
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In 2004, Foulke recorded the final out of Boston's first World Series championship in 86 years, fielding an Edgar Renteria groundout and flipping to Doug Mientkiewiecz to set off an indelible celebration in St. Louis.
While Foulke was marvelous (1.80 ERA) in the World Series, his most crucial work was in the American League Championship Series against the Yankees, when he pitched in five games and didn't allow a run. With the Red Sox down, 3-0, in the series, Foulke threw 100 pitches over the next three days to help his team force Game 7.
The Red Sox blew out the Yankees in Game 7, and Foulke was finally given a rest. Boston is still the only team in MLB history to come back from a 3-0 deficit in a postseason series.
Foulke pitched 11 seasons in the Majors, notching a 3.33 ERA and saving 191 games.