Summary and Honorable Mentions: The Next 25
Having identified the 50 greatest players in Boston Red Sox history, the time has come to select the best of the best. Based on the rankings contained in this book, the members of the Red Sox all-time team are listed below. Our squad includes the top player at each position, along with a pitching staff that features a five-man starting rotation and a closer. Our starting lineup also includes a designated hitter. Also listed are the members of the second team.
FIRST TEAM STARTING LINEUP:
Player Position
Tris Speaker CF
Wade Boggs 3B
Jimmie Foxx 1B
Ted Williams DH
Nomar Garciaparra SS
Carl Yastrzemski LF
Bobby Doerr 2B
Carlton Fisk C
Dwight Evans RF
FIRST TEAM PITCHING STAFF:
Player Position
Pedro Martinez SP
Roger Clemens SP
Cy Young SP
Babe Ruth SP
Smoky Joe Wood SP
Ellis Kinder CL
SECOND TEAM STARTING LINEUP:
Player Position
Dom DiMaggio CF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
David Ortiz DH
Jim Rice LF
Mo Vaughn 1B
Joe Cronin SS
Jackie Jensen RF
Frank Malzone 3B
Jason Varitek C
SECOND TEAM PITCHING STAFF:
Player Position
Luis Tiant SP
Lefty Grove SP
Mel Parnell SP
Jon Lester SP
Tim Wakefield SP
Derek Lowe CL
Although I limited my earlier rankings to the top 50 players in Red Sox history, many other fine players have performed for the Fenway Faithful over the years, some of whom narrowly missed making the final cut. Following is a list of those players deserving of an honorable mention. These are the men I deemed worthy of being slotted into positions 51 to 75 in the overall rankings. The statistics they compiled during their time in Boston, and their most notable achievements as Red Sox are also included.
Jonathan Papelbon
Courtesy Keith Allison
51—Jonathan Papelbon (P, 2005–2011)
Red Sox Numbers: Record: 23–19, .548 Win Pct., 2.33 ERA, 219 Saves
Notable Achievements:
Saved more than 30 games six times, topping 40 saves once (41 in 2008)
Compiled ERA below 2.00 three times, posting mark below 1.00 once (0.92 in 2006).
Compiled more strikeouts than innings pitched six times
Posted WHIP under 1.000 four times
Holds Red Sox career record for most saves (219)
2007 Babe Ruth Award winner as MVP of World Series.
Four-time AL All-Star
2007 AL champion
2007 world champion
Jimmy Collins (l) and teammates from the Boston Americans, including slugging first baseman Buck Freeman (r)
Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
52—Jimmy Collins (3B, 1901–1907)
Red Sox Numbers: 25 HR, 385 RBIs, 448 Runs Scored, 881 Hits, 171 Doubles, 65 Triples, 102 SB, .296 AVG, .336 OBP, .423 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Batted over .300 twice, topping the .320 mark both times
Scored 108 runs in 1901
Finished in double-digits in triples four times
Surpassed 30 doubles three times, topping 40 two-baggers once (42 in 1901)
Stole more than 20 bases once (23 in 1903)
Led AL third basemen in assists once; putouts twice; double plays once; and fielding percentage twice
Ranks 10th all-time on Red Sox with 65 triples
Two-time AL champion (1903 and 1904)
1903 world champion
Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame by members of Old Timers Committee in 1945.
Ellis Burks
Courtesy Ted Straub
53—Ellis Burks (OF, 1987–1992)
Red Sox Numbers: 94 HR, 388 RBIs, 446 Runs Scored, 791 Hits, 160 Doubles, 27 Triples, 95 SB, .280 AVG, .341 OBP, .455 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Hit more than 20 home runs twice
Batted over .300 once (.303 in 1989)
Surpassed 30 doubles four times
Stole more than 20 bases three times
Led AL center fielders with 15 assists in 1987
Led AL center fielders with .994 fielding percentage in 1990
1990 Gold Glove winner
1990 Silver Slugger winner
1990 Sporting News All-Star selection
1990 AL All-Star
Dutch Leonard
Courtesy Library of Congress
54—Dutch Leonard (P, 1913–1918)
Red Sox Numbers: Record: 90–64, .584 Win Pct., 2.13 ERA, 96 CG, 25 Shutouts
Notable Achievements:
Surpassed 15 victories four times, winning as many as 19 games once (19–5 in 1914)
Compiled winning percentage in excess of .700 once (.792 in 1914)
Compiled ERA below 3.00 six times, with mark of 0.96 in 1914 representing the lowest single-season ERA since 1900
Surpassed 20 complete games once (26 in 1917)
Threw more than 200 innings four times
Led AL in ERA and WHIP once each
Ranks among Red Sox career leaders in ERA (4th) and shutouts (5th)
Three-time AL champion (1915, 1916, and 1918)
Three-time world champion (1915, 1916, and 1918)
55—Buck Freeman (1B, OF, 1901–1907)
Red Sox Numbers: 48 HR, 504 RBIs, 403 Runs Scored, 879 Hits, 158 Doubles, 90 Triples, 59 SB, .286 AVG, .339 OBP, .442 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Finished in double-digits in home runs three times
Knocked in more than 100 runs three times
Batted over .300 twice, surpassing the .330 mark once (.339 in 1901)
Amassed 20 triples in 1903
Finished in double-digits in triples three other times
Surpassed 30 doubles twice
Compiled on-base percentage in excess of .400 once (.400 in 1901)
Posted slugging percentage in excess of .500 twice (1901 and 1902)
Led AL in home runs once; RBIs twice; triples once; and total bases once
First player to lead both the NL (1899) and AL (1903) in home runs
Ranks third in Red Sox history with 90 triples
Two-time AL champion (1903 and 1904)
1903 world champion
Larry Gardner
Courtesy Library of Congress
56—Larry Gardner (3B, 2B, 1908–1917)
Red Sox Numbers: 16 HR, 481 RBIs, 496 Runs Scored, 1,106 Hits, 151 Doubles, 87 Triples, 134 SB, .282 AVG, .350 OBP, .377 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Batted over .300 twice
Finished in double-digits in triples four times
Stole more than 20 bases twice
Finished second in AL with 19 triples in 1914
Led AL third basemen in assists once (312 in 1914)
Ranks among Red Sox career leaders in triples (5th) and steals (6th)
Three-time AL champion (1912, 1915, and 1916)
Three-time world champion (1912, 1915, and 1916)
Doc Cramer
Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
57—Doc Cramer (OF, 1936–1940)
Red Sox Numbers: 1 HR, 270 RBIs, 509 Runs Scored, 940 Hits, 146 Doubles, 44 Triples, 22 SB, .302 AVG, .349 OBP, .378 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Batted over .300 four times
Scored more than 100 runs twice
Accumulated 200 hits in 1940
Finished in double-digits in triples twice
Surpassed 30 doubles three times
Led AL in hits once; sacrifice hits once; and at-bats twice
Led AL outfielders in putouts twice and double plays once
Led AL center fielders in assists once and fielding percentage once
Four-time AL All-Star
58—Rick Burleson (SS, 1974–1980)
Red Sox Numbers: 38 HR, 360 RBIs, 514 Runs Scored, 1,114 Hits, 203 Doubles, 21 Triples, 67 SB, .274 AVG, .326 OBP, .362 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Surpassed 30 doubles three times
Led AL with 721 plate appearances and 663 at-bats in 1977
Led AL shortstops in assists once; putouts twice; double plays once; and fielding percentage once
1979 Gold Glove winner
1977 Sporting News All-Star selection
Three-time AL All-Star (1977–1979)
1975 AL champion
59—John Valentin (SS, 3B, 2B, 1992–2001)
Red Sox Numbers: 121 HR, 528 RBIs, 596 Runs Scored, 1,043 Hits, 266 Doubles, 17 Triples, 47 SB, .281 AVG, .361 OBP, .460 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Hit more than 20 home runs twice
Knocked in more than 100 runs once (102 in 1995)
Scored more than 100 runs twice
Batted over .300 twice
Surpassed 40 doubles three times
Stole 20 bases once (1995)
Compiled on-base percentage in excess of .400 once (.400 in 1994)
Posted slugging percentage in excess of .500 twice
Led AL with 47 doubles in 1997
Led AL shortstops in assists once
Led AL third basemen in putouts once
Hit for the cycle on June 6, 1996
Hit three home runs in one game on June 2, 1995
Turned in unassisted triple play on July 8, 1994
1995 Silver Slugger winner
60—Dick Radatz (P, 1962–1966)
Red Sox Numbers: Record: 49–34, .590 Win Pct., 2.65 ERA, 104 Saves
Notable Achievements:
Won at least 15 games twice (1963 and 1964)
Saved more than 20 games four straight times (1962–1965)
Compiled ERA below 2.50 three times, posting mark below 2.00 once (1.97 in 1963)
Posted winning percentage in excess of .700 once (.714 in 1963)
Threw more than 100 innings four straight times (1962–1965)
Compiled more strikeouts than innings pitched three times (1962–1964)
Led AL pitchers in saves twice (1962 and 1964)
Ranks among Red Sox career leaders in saves (3rd) and WHIP (8th)
Holds Red Sox single-season records for most wins (16) and strikeouts (181) by a reliever (1964)
Finished fifth in 1963 AL MVP voting
1964 Thomas A. Yawkey Red Sox MVP
Two-time Sporting News AL Fireman of the Year (1962 and 1964)
Two-time AL All-Star (1963 and 1964)
61—Bob Stanley (P, 1977–1989)
Career Numbers: Record: 115–97, .542 Win Pct., 3.64 ERA, 132 Saves, 21 CG, seven Shutouts
Notable Achievements:
Posted double-digit wins five times, surpassing 15 victories twice
Saved more than 20 games twice, topping 30 saves once (33 in 1983)
Compiled ERA below 3.00 three times
Posted winning percentage in excess of .700 twice, finishing with mark of .882 (15–2) in 1978
Threw more than 100 innings nine times, surpassing 200 innings once (217 in 1979)
Holds Red Sox career record for most pitching appearances (637)
Ranks among Red Sox career leaders in saves (2nd) and innings pitched (6th)
Holds Red Sox single-season record for most innings pitched (168) by a reliever (1982)
Finished seventh in AL Cy Young voting twice (1978 and 1982)
Two-time AL All-Star (1979 and 1983)
1986 AL champion
Wes Ferrell (l) with Bill Werber
Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
62—Wes Ferrell (P, 1934–1937)
Red Sox Numbers: Record: 62–40, .608 Win Pct., 4.11 ERA, 81 CG, 9 Shutouts; 17 HR, 82 RBIs, .308 AVG, .384 OBP, .490 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Won at least 20 games twice, posting 25 victories in 1935
Compiled winning percentage in excess of .700 once (.737 in 1934)
Surpassed 25 complete games three times, completing 31 games in 1935
Threw more than 300 innings twice (1935 and 1936)
Led AL pitchers in wins once; complete games three times; innings pitched three times; and games started twice
Batted .347 in 1935, with 7 home runs and 32 RBIs, in 150 at-bats
Hit two home runs in one game five times
Finished second in 1935 AL MVP voting
1937 AL All-Star
63—Billy Werber (3B, SS, OF, 1933–1936)
Red Sox Numbers: 38 HR, 234 RBIs, 366 Runs Scored, 575 Hits, 130 Doubles, 25 Triples, 107 SB, .281 AVG, .367 OBP, .425 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Batted over .300 once (.321 in 1934)
Scored more than 100 runs once (129 in 1934)
Surpassed 200 hits once (200 in 1934)
Finished in double-digits in triples once (10 in 1934)
Surpassed 30 doubles three times, topping 40 mark once (41 in 1934)
Stole more than 20 bases three times, swiping 40 bags in 1934
Led AL in stolen bases twice and plate appearances once
Led AL third basemen in assists once and putouts once
Ranks ninth in Red Sox history with 107 stolen bases
Tex Hughson
Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
64—Tex Hughson (P, 1941–1944, 1946–1949)
Career Numbers: Record: 96–54, .640 Win Pct., 2.94 ERA, 99 CG, 19 Shutouts
Notable Achievements:
Won at least 20 games twice
Won 18 games another time
Compiled winning percentage in excess of .700 three times
Compiled ERA below 3.00 four times
Surpassed 20 complete games three times.
Threw more than 250 innings three times
Led AL pitchers in wins once; winning percentage once; complete games twice; innings pitched once; strikeouts once; and WHIP once
Ranks among Red Sox career leaders in shutouts (7th) and complete games (10th)
Finished sixth in 1942 AL MVP voting
1942 Sporting News All-Star selection
Three-time AL All-Star (1942–1944)
1946 AL champion
65—Trot Nixon (OF, 1996, 1998–2006)
Red Sox Numbers: 133 HR, 523 RBIs, 547 Runs Scored, 912 Hits, 204 Doubles, 28 Triples, 29 SB, .278 AVG, .366 OBP, .478 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Hit more than 20 home runs three times
Scored 100 runs in 2001
Batted over .300 twice
Surpassed 30 doubles twice
Compiled slugging percentage in excess of .500 three times
Led AL right fielders in double plays twice and fielding percentage once
2004 AL champion
2004 world champion
66—Bill Lee (P, 1969–1978)
Red Sox Numbers: Record: 94–68, .580 Win Pct., 3.64 ERA, 64 CG, 7 Shutouts
Notable Achievements:
Won 17 games three times
Compiled winning percentage in excess of .800 once (.818 in 1971)
Compiled ERA below 3.00 twice
Completed more than 15 games three times
Threw more than 250 innings three times
Led AL pitchers in assists once
Ranks 10th all-time among Red Sox pitchers with 321 appearances
1973 AL All-Star
1975 AL champion
Jim Tabor
Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
67—Jim Tabor (3B, 1938–1944)
Red Sox Numbers: 90 HR, 517 RBIs, 393 Runs Scored, 838 Hits, 162 Doubles, 27 Triples, 64 SB, .273 AVG, .324 OBP, .431 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Hit more than 20 home runs once (21 in 1940)
Knocked in more than 100 runs once (101 in 1941)
Surpassed 30 doubles once (33 in 1939)
Posted slugging percentage in excess of .500 once (.510 in 1940)
Led AL third basemen in: assists once; putouts once; and double plays once
Hit four home runs and knocked in 11 runs in a doubleheader vs. the A’s on July 4, 1939
Hit three home runs in one game vs. Philadelphia on July 4, 1939
Tied ML record by hitting two grand slams in one game on July 4, 1939
68—Troy O’Leary (OF, 1995–2001)
Red Sox Numbers: 117 HR, 516 RBIs, 490 Runs Scored, 954 Hits, 209 Doubles, 37 Triples, 12 SB, .276 AVG, .331 OBP, .459 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Hit more than 20 home runs twice
Knocked in more than 100 runs once (103 in 1999)
Batted over .300 twice
Surpassed 30 doubles five times
Led AL left fielders in putouts once
Hit first grand slam in Red Sox postseason history on October 11, 1999, in Game 5 of ALDS vs. Cleveland
Hit two home runs and knocked in seven runs vs. Indians in Game 5 of 1999 ALDS
Dave Ferriss (l) with Tex Hughson, Micky Harris, and Jim Bagby
Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
69—Dave “Boo” Ferriss (P, 1945–1950)
Career Numbers: Record: 65–30, .684 Win Pct., 3.64 ERA, 67 CG, 12 Shutouts
Notable Achievements:
Won more than 20 games twice
Compiled winning percentage in excess of .700 twice
Compiled ERA under 3.00 once (2.96 in 1945)
Surpassed 25 complete games twice
Threw more than 250 innings twice
Led AL pitchers with .806 winning percentage in 1946
Ranks third all-time on Red Sox in career winning percentage (.684)
Finished fourth in 1945 AL MVP voting and 7th in 1946 balloting
Two-time Sporting News All-Star selection (1945 and 1946)
1946 AL All-Star
1946 AL champion
Rick Ferrell (r) with Wes Ferrell
Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
70—Rick Ferrell (C, 1933–1937)
Red Sox Numbers: 16 HR, 240 RBIs, 221 Runs Scored, 541 Hits, 111 Doubles, 17 Triples, 7 SB, .302 AVG, .394 OBP, .410 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Batted over .300 twice (1935 and 1936)
Surpassed 30 doubles once (34 in 1935)
Compiled on-base percentage in excess of .400 once (.406 in 1936)
Led catchers in assists once; putouts twice; fielding percentage once; and caught-stealing percentage once
Ranks eighth all-time on Red Sox with .394 on-base percentage
Four-time AL All-Star (1933–1936)
Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame by members of Veteran’s Committee in 1984
Jimmy Piersall (r) with Willie Mays
Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
71—Jimmy Piersall (OF, 1950, 1952–1958)
Red Sox Numbers: 66 HR, 366 RBIs, 502 Runs Scored, 919 Hits, 158 Doubles, 32 Triples, 58 SB, .273 AVG, .340 OBP, .397 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Scored more than 100 runs once (103 in 1957)
Surpassed 40 doubles once (40 in 1956)
Led AL with 40 doubles in 1956 and 19 sacrifice hits in 1953
Led AL outfielders in putouts twice; double plays once; and fielding percentage once
Led AL center fielders in assists once; double plays twice; and fielding percentage twice
Led AL right fielders in putouts once and double plays once
Finished ninth in 1953 AL MVP voting
1958 Gold Glove winner
Two-time AL All-Star
Bill Mueller (l) is greeted by Johnny Damon after a home run
Courtesy S. G. Merle
72—Bill Mueller (3B, 2003–2005)
Red Sox Numbers: 41 HR, 204 RBIs, 229 Runs Scored, 437 Hits, 106 Doubles, 9 Triples, 3 SB, .303 AVG, .378 OBP, .474 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Batted over .300 once (.326 in 2003)
Surpassed 30 doubles twice, topping 40 mark once (45 in 2003)
Posted slugging percentage in excess of .500 once (.540 in 2003)
Led AL with .326 batting average in 2003
Hit two grand slams in one game vs. Texas on July 29, 2003
Hit three home runs in one game vs. Texas on July 29, 2003
2003 Silver Slugger winner
2003 Sporting News All-Star selection
2004 AL champion
2004 world champion
73—Dennis Eckersley (P, 1978–1984, 1998)
Red Sox Numbers: Record: 88–71, .553 Win Pct., 3.92 ERA, 64 CG, 10 Shutouts
Notable Achievements:
Won 20 games in 1978
Won 17 games in 1979
Compiled winning percentage in excess of .700 twice
Compiled ERA under 3.00 twice
Threw more than 200 innings three times
Finished fourth in 1978 AL Cy Young voting
1982 AL All-Star
Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame by members of BBWAA in 2004
Clay Buchholz
Courtesy Keith Allison
74—Clay Buchholz (P, 2007–present)
Career Numbers: Record: 58–33, .637 Win Pct., 3.60 ERA, 6 CG, 4 Shutouts
Notable Achievements:
Won 17 games in 2010
Has compiled a winning percentage in excess of .700 three times, posting a mark of .923 (12–1) in 2013
Has compiled an ERA below 3.00 three times, finishing with a mark under 2.00 twice (2007 and 2013)
Finished second in AL with 2.33 ERA in 2010
Ranks tenth in Red Sox history with .637 career winning percentage
Holds Red Sox single-season record for highest winning percentage (.923 in 2013)
Pitched a no-hitter against Baltimore on September 1, 2007
Finished sixth in 2010 AL Cy Young voting
Two-time AL All-Star (2010 and 2013)
2013 AL champion
2013 world champion
Pinky Higgins (l) with Wally Moses
Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
75—Pinky Higgins (3B, 1937–1938, 1946)
Red Sox Numbers: 16 HR, 240 RBIs, 183 Runs Scored, 386 Hits, 73 Doubles, 11 Triples, 12 SB, .298 AVG, .381 OBP, .409 SLG PCT
Notable Achievements:
Batted over .300 twice
Knocked in more than 100 runs twice
Surpassed 30 doubles once (33 in 1937)
Holds major-league record with 12 consecutive base hits (June 1938)