Top 10 Red Sox Players of All - Time

There are many fans out there that like to do these sorts of lists. The problem with these lists is also the problem with anybody's list is that they can not be proven correct. These are the top 10 Red Sox of all-time, of course I will have preferential treatment to those who have brought me endless bliss with a World Series championship. If I left someone out I am apologizing now.

10. Johnny Pesky - He might have hesitated in the 46' series while Enos Slaughter crushed Sox fans' hearts by hustling from 1st to home on a single. Besides that Pesky has been part of Sox culture ever since. From the Pole to seeing him still hit fungoes at Fenway each and every day. As a Sox he was quite a productive shortstop. Led the AL in hits 3 times ('42, '46, and '47), was an all star in 46', and .300 in every full season with Sox except for once. He ranks all time 15th in hits, 9th in runs, and 9th in all-time average. He also lost 3 years to the war, those three years were in between his three most productive. But Pesky is on this list because he is the Red Sox.

9. Tris Speaker- Some may be saying, who? Tris Speaker the centerfielder for the Sox from 1907-1915, who ranks 2nd all time in stolen bases(267) and 3rd all time in avg. (.337), was also a member of two Red Sox World Series teams, 1912 and 1915. He became a Hall of Famer, and had a great career with the Indians after being with the Sox. Arguably the best base stealer in team history, best center fielder in team history, and arguably best overall player in team history. Sometimes we just have to wipe the dust off those archives to see how good these players were.

8. Jason Varitek- Yes Tek! The captain, the holder of the "C". Jason Varitek is the anchor of the greatest Red Sox team in 86 years. His numbers are not gaudy and will not get him into the hall of fame. He is a 2-time all-star and the rock of his team. Raved by his pitching staff for being a great game caller, and he is the all-time leader in games caught in a Red Sox uniform; passing another Sox great, Carlton Fisk. Oh yeah and he fought A-Rod! Enough Said.

7. Dom DiMaggio - People often forget how great and classy the other DiMaggio brother was. Dom DiMaggio was a tremendous baseball player, who might be in the Hall of Fame if he did not have to serve his country. "The Professor" was very good for the Sox from the time he came up in 1940 until the time he left in 1953. In eleven seasons (10 to really be counting because he only played three games in 1953) he was a 7-time all star. Led the league in runs twice ('50 and '51), led in triples once ('50) and stolen bases once ('50). DiMaggio might have been quiet but he was a main contributor to many of Ted Williams' numbers by being on base when the big man came to the plate.

6. Bobby Doerr- In 14 seasons as a Sox he was a 9 time all star. He ranks 6th all time in hits, and 7th all time in HRs, and 5th all time in RBI, not too bad for a second baseman. He also had the unfortunate of duty of hitting behind Williams, no easy task. He also batted .409 in his only World Series appearance, Williams batted a mortal .200.

5. Dwight Evans- "Dewey". Dwight Evans should be anonymous with the right field at Fenway. His credentials certainly fit for this list. 2nd all time in games played, 2nd at-bats, 3rd in runs scored, 4th in hits, 3rd in doubles, 8th al in triples, 4th in homers, 4th in RBI, and 3rd in walks. He has the most gold gloves by any player in Sox history with eight. He had a cannon in right and power in the bat. The three time all-star does not take a back seat to many in the history of this organization.

4. Jim Rice- It is absolutely ridiculous that this guy is not in the Hall. It is ridiculous that he is not in the hall. The most dominant hitter of his Red Sox generation. He ranks 4th all time in games played, 3rd in at-bats, 4th in runs, 3rd in hits, 6th in doubles, 6th in triples, 3rd in HRs, 3rd in RBI, and 3rd in Total Bases. This guys was an 8 time all star who got zero "love" from the press. He was not great with sportswriters, but he saved his greatness for the batter's box. 6 top 5 votings for MVP, and an MVP in 1978. Before the Hall they should at east retire Rice's number at the Fens'.

3. David Ortiz- Big Papi, yes I know that he has only played for 4 years but that does not diminish what he did. He is the greatest clutch hitter in Sox history. He single handedly brought the Sox back against the Yanks in the ALCS (maybe with some help from dave roberts, johnny damon and a bloody sock). But since he has been with the Sox he has broke the single season record for Home Runs and has carried the Sox. Ortiz is the heart and soul of the franchise and Boston loves him for it. In 4 years he has 4 top 5 in MVP voting (He has been screwed out of 2 MVPs because he is a DH), 3 all star appearances, the 2004 ALCS MVP, and a World Championship. When it is all said and done that big smile and big heroics of Papi's is going to be remembered for eternity.

2. Carl Yastrzemski- "Yaz". If there were one word to describe Yaz, it would be Boston. This guy fought and killed for the "Old Towne" team. Unfortunately he came up short but it is not without putting up serious numbers. He was an 18 time all star! He was elected to 15 straight all-star games. He has more games played, at-bats, runs, hits (the only person to hit over 3,000 in a Sox uni), doubles, and RBIs than any other Red Sox. He is second to only Ted in Home Runs. He was a great post season hitter posting a .369 batting average. He was a triple crown winner, an MVP winner (both in '67), he was a 7-time gold glove winner, led the league 3 times in batting average, slugging percentage, doubles and runs. Yaz was flat out second to only one....

1. Ted Williams- The greatest hitter of all-time. His credentials are ridiculous and he lost 3 years to the service (World War II and Korean War). The 17 time all star won 2 MVP and 2 triple crowns (did not win MVP in either year he won the triple crown, you want to talk about being shafted), a 7 time batting champ (the last person to hit .400, .406 in '41), 12 time leader in on-base percentage, 9 time leader in slugging percentage, 6 time leader in runs, 4 time leader in Home Runs, 4 time leader in RBI, 8 time leader in walks, and led the league in doubles twice. He never won a World Series, due to some great Yankees teams, bad luck, and poor pitching. He did accomplish his main goal and that was when his career ended he was the greatest hitter to ever live.

Why didn't these Sox make the list?

Wade Boogs- My fondest memory of Boggs is him riding that stinking horse in Yankee Stadium after he won a World Series with them, still disturbs me.

Fisk- It really was a toss-up between him and Tek, I would rather have Tek. Even though the brawl between him and Nettles was uglier than the A-Rod fight with Tek. But that fight led to the end of Bill Lee's career. He also bolted to Chicago, Tek stayed.

Fred Lynn, Jimmy Foxx, and Manny- All legitimate choices but none played a thousand games for the Sox. Manny is inching up there but I do not even know if he likes Boston yet, sometimes he does other days he doesn't. But hey maybe two more championships and he will be sitting at number four on this list.

Mo Vaughn- David Ortiz with no rings.

Nomar- He sat while Jeter jumped into the stands, no way Nomar. Where is Orlando Cabrera anyways!

Tony Conigliaro- So much, So Soon. Tragic.

Petrocelli- Consider making him #10, but Pesky is a life.

Hate it? Love it? Let me know, I love a good battle.