After the World Series, Torrez signed a seven-year, $2.5 million contract with the rival Boston Red Sox and helped them contend for the American League (AL) East title all season.

[23] Though the Cardinals were rich in pitching, with a rotation that included Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton, Torrez made the roster out of spring training.

He faced seven more batters, walking four (one with the bases loaded), giving up two singles and a triple, uncorking one wild pitch and allowing six earned runs.

[1] Ian McDonald, the English-language reporter assigned to covering the Expos, said the pitcher had "bounced from the obscurity of a Triple-A has-been in 1971 to a 16-game major league winner.

[1] He and Ken Singleton were traded from the Expos to the Baltimore Orioles for Dave McNally, Rich Coggins and minor-league right-handed pitcher Bill Kirkpatrick at the Winter Meetings on December 4, 1974.

Just as 1976 spring training was wrapping up, Torrez, Don Baylor and Paul Mitchell were traded to the Oakland Athletics for Reggie Jackson, Ken Holtzman and minor-league right-handed pitcher Bill Van Bommel.

[89] His strong play kept the Athletics close to the AL West-leading Royals, and owner Charlie Finley confidently stated, "They can put it up on a big sign in their clubhouse: 'Finley Says Kansas City Is Going to Choke.

'"[90] They failed to win the division, but Athletics reporter Ron Bergman stated, "The [failure] can't be blamed on Mike Torrez.

[92][1] Dissatisfied with the way Finley was cutting costs and trying to trade his star players, Torrez made it clear he would not resign with the club after 1977, when he would be eligible to be a free agent.

[100] The win capped a six-day span in which the Yankees moved from five games behind the Boston Red Sox into first place in the American League East.

Ron Guidry, one of New York's best pitchers, had struggled with his command, and Torrez relieved him with one out in the third inning, a runner on first base, and the Royals leading 3-1.

[107] Iber wrote, "While he did not get credit for the victory, Mike Torrez contributed mightily by holding the Royals scoreless and gave his team a chance to win.

After he escaped jams in the first two innings, Dusty Baker took Torrez deep to left field for a three-run home run to tie the game in the third.

[114] Seeking a big payday, Torrez jumped sides in the Yankees–Red Sox rivalry, receiving a seven-year contract worth $2.5 million from Boston.

After allowing a first inning two-run home run to eventual AL MVP Jim Rice, Hunter held the Red Sox scoreless the rest of the way.

[132] The Red Sox won a coin toss to host the tie-breaker, which pitted Torrez against eventual Cy Young Award winner Guidry, who was pitching on only three days' rest.

[123] Regardless of any other shortcomings that led to Boston's collapse in the 1978 season, Torrez's pitch to Dent epitomized the "Curse of the Bambino" in the minds of Red Sox fans.

"[143] After a loss in his first game following the break, Torrez reeled off four straight wins, including a six-hitter against the Brewers on August 2 that the Red Sox won 10–1.

"[147] On July 18, he pitched 10 shutout innings against the Minnesota Twins, earning the victory when Dave Stapleton hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th.

[158] By 1982, Torrez was one of five active pitchers to beat every team in both leagues, along with Gaylord Perry, Fergie Jenkins, Doyle Alexander, and Tommy John.

[162] Torrez joined returning Mets pitcher and future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver as part of a Mets rotation filled with young pitchers; he was expected to give experienced help and advice to Ed Lynch, Walt Terrell, Jesse Orosco, Tom Gorman, and Ron Darling, as well as Dwight Gooden once he reached the major leagues.

[164] Pitching for Los Angeles was Fernando Valenzuela, the young Dodger starter whose early success had caused a great deal of excitement, labelled "Fernandomania.

[169] On June 15, the Mets acquired perennial Gold Glove winner and first baseman Keith Hernandez from the Cardinals for pitchers Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey.

[170] Although the Mets would lose 94 games and finish last in the NL East, they showed modest improvement under their new manager with first baseman Hernandez joining several young ballplayers that included Darryl Strawberry, the number one overall pick in the 1980 Major League Baseball draft.

[1] Seaver was left unprotected in the free agent compensation pool and was signed by the White Sox on January 20, 1984,[173] leaving Torrez the veteran of a young Mets rotation.

[179] On June 15, the Mets acquired starter Bruce Berenyi in a trade, and they designated Torrez for assignment to make room for him on the roster the next day.

[1] Not ready to retire, Torrez pitched for Licey following the 1984 major league season, helping the Dominican club win the Caribbean Series.

The team was sold again midway through the season, and Torrez was fired in July over disputes about promotions the new owners wanted to hold, including a reality TV series.

[151] In 1982, retired Boston Patriot Jim Boudreaux arranged a blind date for Torrez with Teresa Wilson, who worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines.

[198] After retiring, Torrez and his wife Teresa initially lived in the St. Petersburg area before moving north to Westchester County, New York, settling down a few blocks from former major league pitcher Ralph Branca.