Wade's Beer Consumption: How Many Did He Drink?

Wade Boggs was a Hall of Fame baseball player, but he was also a world-class beer drinker. The former third baseman was known for his drinking prowess, with rumours circulating for years that he once drank an impressive 64 beers during a single cross-country team flight. However, it was later revealed by Boggs himself that his actual record was even higher, at a staggering 107 beers in one day. This new information has solidified Boggs' status as a legend, both in baseball and in the world of beer drinking.

Wade Boggs's record of drinking 107 beers in a day

Wade Boggs is a baseball legend, but he is also a legend for his drinking. While the number of beers he drank during a cross-country flight has long been the subject of speculation, the true number is even more astonishing.

Boggs, a Hall of Famer, played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Tampa Bay Rays. He was a heavy drinker, and it was rumoured that he once drank 64 beers on a cross-country flight. This story was so famous that it was featured in an episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", where the cast tried and failed to match this supposed record. However, during the filming of this episode, actor Charlie Day revealed that Boggs told him his actual record was 107 beers in a day.

TMZ also caught up with Boggs and asked him about his drinking exploits. While he did not give the exact number, he did confirm that he drank over 100 beers in a day. When asked how he managed this feat, Boggs joked, "I've got a hollow leg. It goes down there and I just take it off and dump it."

Boggs's drinking prowess is even more impressive when considering his successful baseball career. He won five batting titles, knocked in 3,010 hits, and retired with a 0.328 batting average. He was also known for his superstitions, one of them being that he ate chicken before every game.

While Boggs's drinking record may be impressive, it is important to note that consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period can be dangerous and even life-threatening.

The 'Wade Boggs Challenge'

The Wade Boggs Challenge

The Wade Boggs Challenge is a legendary drinking feat that very few could ever hope to achieve. It involves drinking over 100 beers in a day—a task that would leave most people in hospital, or worse.

The story goes that Wade Boggs, a Hall of Fame baseball player, would regularly drink upwards of 50 or 60 beers on cross-country flights. This was already an impressive, and worrying, amount. But the legend grew when actor Charlie Day claimed that Boggs told him his record was, in fact, 107 beers.

This revelation inspired the cast of *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia* to attempt to beat Boggs' record in an episode of the show. However, they failed miserably.

Boggs himself has joked about his drinking prowess, saying:

> "I've got a hollow leg. It goes down there and I just take it off and dump it."

But how did he do it? Well, Boggs was a big fan of Miller Lite, and it is said that he would start drinking before even leaving the clubhouse. He'd then continue drinking on the bus to the airport, during refuelling stops, and on the plane. And that's before he'd even arrived at his destination and continued drinking into the night.

The Wade Boggs Challenge is not for the faint-hearted, and it is not recommended that anyone attempt it. But, for those brave (or foolish) enough to try, the rules are simple: drink more than 107 beers in a day.

Boggs's beer of choice

Wade Boggs is a baseball legend, but he is also known for his beer-drinking prowess. The former third baseman was a heavy drinker of Miller Lite, and it is rumoured that he once drank 64 beers on a cross-country team flight. However, this number was later disputed by Boggs himself, who claimed that he had, in fact, consumed 107 beers in a day. This extraordinary feat was referenced in an episode of the TV show 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia', in which the cast attempts to match Boggs' drinking record.

Boggs' drinking habits were further corroborated by his teammates, Jeff Nelson and Paul Sorrento, who claimed that Boggs would regularly drink upwards of 50-70 beers on cross-country flights. According to Nelson, Boggs would start drinking in the clubhouse, consuming a six-pack before even leaving for the airport. He would continue drinking on the bus to the airport, during refuelling stops, and on the flight itself.

Boggs' impressive tolerance for alcohol was also noted by ex-MLB pitcher Brian Rose, who recalled sitting next to Boggs on a flight and witnessing him drink an entire case of beer. When Rose expressed his amazement, Boggs reportedly replied, "beer doesn't affect me. I don't get drunk unless I've had at least a case and a half."

While Boggs' drinking prowess has achieved legendary status, it is important to note that consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can be dangerous and even life-threatening.

The 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' episode based on the rumour

The Gang (Tries to) Beat Boggs

The Gang is back, and this time they're taking on a new challenge: drinking more beer than Wade Boggs on a cross-country flight.

The episode opens with the gang at Paddy's, arguing about who can drink the most. Dennis claims he can outdrink anyone, and Charlie challenges him to beat Wade Boggs' record of 64 beers on a cross-country flight. Dennis accepts, and the gang books a flight to Los Angeles to attempt the feat.

As they board the plane, they each carry a case of beer and are confident they can break the record. However, they quickly realize that drinking 64 beers is not going to be easy. Mac and Charlie start strong, chugging beers and doing shots with the flight attendants. Meanwhile, Dennis and Dee are taking a more measured approach, pacing themselves with a beer every 10 minutes.

Two hours into the flight, things start to get messy. Mac and Charlie are already feeling the effects of the alcohol and have to make frequent trips to the bathroom. Dennis and Dee, on the other hand, are doing surprisingly well and are even able to help a flight attendant with a drunk passenger.

As the flight goes on, the gang starts to fall apart. Mac and Charlie are passed out, and Dee is feeling nauseous. Only Dennis is still going strong, but even he is starting to slow down. With an hour left in the flight, he realizes he needs to pick up the pace if he wants to beat Boggs' record.

In a last-ditch effort, Dennis chugs the remaining beers, but it's too much for him, and he passes out just before the plane lands. In the end, none of them come close to beating Boggs' record.

As they stumble off the plane in Los Angeles, they are greeted by none other than Wade Boggs himself, who congratulates them on their attempt and invites them to join him for a drink at the airport bar.

The gang learns that Boggs' actual record is 107 beers, and they realize that they never stood a chance. Despite their failure, they proudly wear their "I Tried to Beat Boggs" t-shirts as they drink with the legend himself.

Other athletes' drinking records

While baseball player Wade Boggs is rumoured to have drunk 64 beers in a day, he himself claimed that his record was 107.

When it comes to other athletes, basketball player Vin Baker's career was impacted by his alcohol consumption. He celebrated his success with alcohol, masking his anxiety and relieving the stress of his high-pressure career. He lost his All-Star NBA career and million-dollar fortune to his addiction but has been sober for 12 years and is now an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Basketball player Allen Iverson also struggled with alcohol addiction. After his last season, his wife filed for divorce, his daughter dealt with an undisclosed illness, and his gambling issues escalated. He has made few public appearances since.

Basketball player Ron Artest, also known as Metta World Peace, was involved in one of the NBA's darkest episodes when he went into a rage after being hit with a beer cup during a game.

Basketball player Jason Kidd was arrested for DWI just 10 days after signing a new contract with the New York Knicks.

Basketball player Charles Barkley was arrested for DUI in 2009. He has since cut down on his drinking and exercises twice a day.

Footballer Ricky Hatton opened up about his downward spiral of depression, alcohol, and drug use after his defeats in 2007 and 2009. He sought therapy after the birth of his daughter and has since made a comeback.

Golfer John Daly has been in and out of rehab for his alcohol intake and has been divorced several times.

Golfer David Feherty has also struggled with alcohol, drugs, and depression. He reached sobriety in 2005 but relapsed in 2019 after his son's fatal overdose.

Quarterback Brett Favre battled painkiller addiction in the '90s, which transitioned into a cycle of heavy drinking. He has been sober since 1998.

Baseball player Miguel Cabrera got drunk between games during a series between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins in 2009. He was involved in a domestic disturbance and had a blood alcohol level of .26, more than three times the legal limit. He was arrested for DUI in 2011 but has since gone to treatment and become sober.

Baseball player Billy Martin's drinking habits were notorious and played a role in his death, as he died in a car crash where the driver was drunk.

Baseball player Josh Hamilton struggled with substance addictions and, although he became clean, he relapsed in 2009 and again in 2011.

Baseball player Darryl Strawberry struggled with cocaine and alcohol abuse, as well as arrests for hard drug use.

Baseball player Babe Ruth drank excessively throughout his career from 1914 to 1935, even during the prohibition era. He continued drinking post-career and died in 1948 at just 53.

Boxer Lamar Odom struggled with the pressures of fame and was arrested for DUI and refusing to submit to a chemical drug test in 2013. He was later found unconscious following a near-fatal overdose in 2015 and put on life support. He has since checked himself into an addiction centre and remained sober.

Frequently asked questions