Henry Roldán
The Boston Red Sox have more than 100 years of baseball history. This franchise is one of the most followed and most important, and has seen several of the best players in Major League history wear its uniform. For this reason, today we bring you a list of the five greatest Boston Red Sox players in history.
5.- Greatest Boston Red Sox Players of All Time: David Ortiz
Although Cy Young had more than enough merit to be included in this list, “Big Papi” David Ortiz cannot be left out. One of the best designated hitters of all time and a leader both on and off the diamond, Ortiz redefined the role of a designated hitter and also starred in some of the most iconic playoff moments in franchise history.
Ortiz played the first six years of his career with the Minnesota Twins, but arrived in Boston in 2003 and became an icon as soon as he stepped foot in Fenway Park for the first time. He stayed with the franchise until he retired, and his numbers were excellent: he was an All-Star in 10 of his 14 seasons with Boston, in addition to batting .290 with a .956 OPS, hitting 483 home runs and driving in 1,530 runs. Undoubtedly, a superb hitter who engraved his name in gold letters in Boston.
4.- Greatest Boston Red Sox Players of All Time: Pedro Martinez
Martinez brought nothing but joy and entertainment to one of baseball’s most diehard supporters when he joined the Red Sox through trade from the Expos in 1998.
The Dominican starter was one of the most dominant of his era (we dare to say number one), and he won two of his three Cy Young trophies while wearing the Red Sox outfit. On three other occasions, he finished in the top 5 of the list, and on a couple of times he was considered in the top five for the American MVP.
With Boston, the Hall of Famer participated in four All-Star Games, led the junior circuit in ERA four times and won the Triple Crown for pitching in 1999. His career with the team ended in 2004, the year in which they ended the so-called “Curse of the Bambino” by winning a World Series after 86 years.
3.- Greatest Boston Red Sox Players of All Time: Roger Clemens
“The Rocket” made his Major League debut with Boston in 1984 and through 1996 completed the best performance for a pitcher in the organization’s history.
During his time at Fenway Park, he won three of the seven Cy Youngs of his career and became the category leader in MLB. Clemens also won an American League MVP in 1986, the same season he won his first Cy Young.
With Boston, he won four of his seven batting titles and led the American League in strikeouts on five occasions. Back then, and in two times, nobody had more wins than him, while he struck out the most opponents on three occasions. Within the organization, he is the leader in WAR (80.8) and strikeouts (2,590) and co-leader in wins (192) and shutouts (38) with Cy Young.
2.- Greatest Boston Red Sox Players of All Time: Carl Yastrzemski
“Yaz” came to the Red Sox in 1961 and from that moment on he didn’t stop making history in any of the 23 seasons he wore a Red Sox uniform.
The Hall of Famer accomplished it all with the Red Sox, topping the team in games played (3,308), at-bats (11,988), runs scored (1,816), hits (3,419), and RBIs (1,844). Yastrzemski also led the American League in batting average three times, with his best performance coming in 1967 when he won the Triple Crown in batting and the only MVP of his career.
At the time of his retirement, Yastrzemski had been called to 18 All-Star Games, won the Gold Glove at the plate seven times and is one of only 32 players in history (and the only one from Boston) to hit at least 3,000 home runs.
1.- Greatest Boston Red Sox Players of All Time: Ted Williams
While debating about the greatest Boston Red Sox players in history, there is no doubt that Williams is number one, as he may even, for many, be considered the best hitter in history.
If anyone thought “Yaz’s” performances were unbeatable in the club, consider that his predecessor, in 19 seasons with the Red Sox, won six American League hitting titles, including a.401 in 1946. That would be the last time a hitter finished a season with a record over .400.
Williams, in addition to being the star of an uninspiring club at the time, won two Triple Crowns in batting, two MVP awards, and was selected to the All-Star Game 19 times. Within the organization he remains the leader in average (.344), OBP (.482), SLG (634), OPS (1.116), home runs (521) and runs batted in (2.021).
Consider how much the Hall of Famer accomplished despite missing three seasons due to military service between the ages of 24 and 26.
