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Hendu's '86 heroics an enduring legacy for Sox

BOSTON -- The 1986 Red Sox had two eventual Hall of Famers in Jim Rice and Wade Boggs. They had one of the greatest pitchers of all-time in Roger Clemens, who broke out that season. They had a former MVP in Don Baylor, a two-way threat throughout the 1980s in Dwight Evans and a gritty, accomplished veteran everyone respected in Bill Buckner.

But the Red Sox never would have tasted the World Series in 1986 if not for a man who wasn't on anybody's radar when the playoffs started.

The late Dave Henderson, with his gapped front teeth, wide smile and surprisingly clutch bat, was the man who provided the most joyful October moments for the 1986 Sox, who came one strike away from ending the agonizing drought that Big Papi and friends finally took care of in 2004.