Wade Boggs And His 50 Beer Flight Legend

Baseball legend Wade Boggs is rumoured to have consumed an impressive number of beers during a cross-country flight. While the exact number is unclear, with estimates ranging from 50 to 70 beers, Boggs himself confirmed the number to be 107. This impressive drinking feat has earned him a reputation as a world-class beer drinker, with many questioning the plausibility of his achievement.

Wade Boggs' baseball career

Wade Boggs was a third baseman who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1976 and made his debut with the team in 1982. Boggs played for the Red Sox until 1992, and then joined the New York Yankees from 1993 to 1997, winning the 1996 World Series with them. He finished his career with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from 1998 to 1999.

Boggs had a highly successful baseball career, racking up over 3,000 hits and a +.328 batting average over his 2,400 career games. He won five batting titles from 1983 to 1988 and made 12 straight All-Star appearances. Boggs was also awarded the Gold Glove Award in 1994 and 1995, becoming the oldest first-time winner among non-pitchers. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, just six years after his career ended.

Boggs was known for his superstitions, which included eating chicken before every game, waking up at the same time every day, and running sprints at 7:17 pm. He also had a unique style of mental preparedness, which involved visualizing four at-bats each evening before a game and imagining himself getting four hits.

In addition to his baseball career, Boggs made several appearances in television shows and films. He appeared in episodes of "Cheers", "The Simpsons", and "Seinfeld". Boggs also had a cameo in the comedy series ""It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", which referenced his legendary drinking abilities.

The number of beers drunk

The number of beers consumed by Wade Boggs during his legendary drinking episode has been the subject of much speculation and debate. While the exact figure remains unclear, various sources provide different estimates ranging from 50 to 70 beers.

According to some accounts, Boggs' drinking prowess was not limited to a single flight but was a regular occurrence during his cross-country travels. His former teammate, Jeff Nelson, claimed that Boggs routinely drank 50-60 beers during these trips. Another teammate, Paul Sorrento, corroborated this claim, stating that the number could even be upwards of 70. These testimonies add credibility to the notion that Boggs possessed an extraordinary capacity for alcohol consumption.

However, the true extent of Boggs' drinking abilities was revealed in an interview with OutKick's Gunz, where he confirmed that he once drank 73 beers on a flight from Boston to Los Angeles. But the story doesn't end there. Boggs went on to explain that the drinking continued after they landed in California, bringing the total count for the day to an astonishing 107 beers.

This extraordinary feat of alcohol consumption has been immortalized in popular culture, notably in an episode of the comedy series "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." The episode, titled "The Gang Beats Boggs," features the gang attempting to match what they believed to be Boggs' record of 50 beers, only to be outdone by the man himself, who revealed the true count to be 107.

While the exact number of beers consumed during the flight remains a subject of discussion, what is undeniable is that Wade Boggs' drinking abilities were just as legendary as his baseball career.

Boggs' drinking habits

Wade Boggs is a Hall of Fame baseball player and a world-class beer drinker. While he is known for his impressive baseball career, he is perhaps more widely recognised for his drinking abilities.

Boggs is rumoured to have drunk upwards of 50 beers during a single cross-country flight. The exact number is highly disputed, with estimates ranging from 50 to 70 beers. However, in 2015, Boggs confirmed that the true number was 107 beers. This claim was further supported by his former teammates, Jeff Nelson and Paul Sorrento, who stated that Boggs routinely drank 50-60 beers during cross-country flights, and on one occasion, may have consumed as many as 70.

Boggs's drinking habits didn't just extend to flights. He was known to drink beer regularly, often starting with a six-pack at his locker in the clubhouse after a game. He would continue drinking while getting into his travel clothes, on the way to the bus, and en route to the airport. Boggs's former teammate, Brian Rose, recounted a time when he sat next to Boggs on a short flight, and Boggs drank a full case of beer without even going to the bathroom. When asked about it, Boggs replied, "Beer doesn't affect me. I don't get drunk unless I've had at least a case and a half."

Boggs's drinking prowess was so renowned that it inspired an episode of the comedy series "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," titled "The Gang Beats Boggs." In the episode, the gang attempts to beat Boggs's record of drinking 50 beers on a cross-country flight, believing it to be a way to honour his memory.

The plausibility of the story

There are several factors to consider when evaluating the plausibility of the story that Wade Boggs drank 50 beers on a flight. Firstly, it is important to note that Boggs himself has confirmed that he drank 73 beers on the flight, and the number eventually went up to 107 when he continued drinking after landing. This number was initially speculated to be lower, with guesses ranging from 50 to 70.

Secondly, Boggs was known for his impressive drinking abilities, with former teammates and friends corroborating his drinking prowess. One teammate, Jeff Nelson, stated that Boggs would routinely drink 50-60 beers during a cross-country flight, and another teammate, Paul Sorrento, claimed the number could be upwards of 70. Additionally, Boggs himself claimed that beer didn't affect him and that he didn't get drunk unless he had consumed at least a case and a half.

Thirdly, it is worth considering the timeframe in which the drinking took place. The flight from Boston to Los Angeles is a cross-country flight that typically lasts around 6-7 hours. Boggs claimed he drank 73 beers during the flight, which would mean consuming a beer every 5-6 minutes. While this is certainly an impressive feat, it may be plausible given Boggs's reported drinking abilities.

However, there are also some factors that cast doubt on the story's plausibility. One consideration is the physical capacity to consume such a large quantity of liquid. Drinking 50 or more beers would result in consuming several gallons of liquid, which raises the question of where it was all stored. Additionally, the high amount of alcohol consumed could potentially lead to alcohol poisoning or other health issues. It is important to note that alcohol affects everyone differently, and Boggs may have had a higher tolerance or a different physical response to alcohol.

In conclusion, while the specific number of beers consumed during the flight may be debated, it is clear that Wade Boggs had a reputation for his impressive drinking abilities, and the story of him consuming a large quantity of beer during a flight is not entirely implausible, given the corroborating evidence and testimonies from those who knew him.

'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' episode

In the episode "The Gang Beats Boggs" of *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*, the gang attempts to beat Wade Boggs' legendary record of drinking 70 beers on a cross-country flight. Mac acts as the commissioner, trying to keep everyone focused on breaking the record. The episode starts with the gang boarding a plane, drinking light beer, and discussing Boggs' record. They express doubts about the authenticity of the record, with Charlie thinking Boggs has passed away and Dee mistaking his name for "Boss Hogg".

As the episode progresses, the gang faces various challenges and hijinks ensue. Frank, determined to join the "Air Sex Society," drugs a college student with sleeping pills, only to be thwarted when the student has a seizure and has to be duct-taped to his seat. Dennis makes a counter bet, aiming to find a sexual partner before reaching the Great Lakes. He identifies a "suitable candidate" but ends up with a different woman, who he ditches in North Dakota. Meanwhile, Dee gets off to an early start, reaching 29 beers before passing out. She takes uppers to get back in the game and later, after hallucinating about seeing the ghost of Wade Boggs and Boss Hogg, makes a final push with Charlie. Frank, disappointed at not getting intimate on the plane, attempts to chug another beer but passes out again.

In the end, Charlie and Dee are tied at 70 beers at LAX. They each drink one more beer to beat Boggs' record, and Dee passes out on the luggage carousel. The episode concludes with the gang deciding to catch a red eye back to Philadelphia, stopping for one more beer.

This episode is notable for its references to various scandals and popular culture, including baseball controversies, movies like "Flight," and other TV series such as "Fargo." It also marks one of the rare occasions where Charlie travels outside of Philadelphia, despite being deep into a drinking challenge.

Frequently asked questions