The Greatest Boston Red Sox players by position in the last 50 years

Today I am continuing my list of the greatest players for each team in the last 50 years by position (1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF, C, right-handed, and left-handed starting pitchers, relief pitchers and DH). Criteria is players must have played at least (5) years on team since the 1973 season. Note players who started prior to 1973 can be included, however only what they accomplished since the 73 season will be considered. There were many factors in the selection process. Were they Hall of Famers? Were they consistent, League leaders, (awards MVPs, Cy Youngs gold gloves), and how much post season success did they have? I will be doing 1 team a week. Starting with teams in the American League East. This week’s team is the Boston Red Sox. Here is my list of greatest Red Sox players in the last 50 years (by position). Note the time and accomplishments are listed only with Red Sox (since 1973).

First Base- Mo Vaugh (1991-1998)- MVP

Second Base- Dustin Pedroia (2006-2019)- MVP, Rookie of the Year, 4X Gold glove award winner.

Third Base- Wade Boggs (1982-1992)- HOF, 5X Batting champion, 2X Gold glove award winner.

Shortstop- Nomar Garciaparra (1996-2003)- Rookie of the Year, 2X Batting champion.

Left Field- Jim Rice (1974-1989)- HOF, MVP, 3X HR champion.

Centerfield- Fred Lynn (1974-1980)- MVP, Rookie of the Year, Batting champion. 4X Gold glove award winner.

Right Field- Dwight Evans (1973-1990)- HR champion, 8X Gold glove award winner.  

Catcher- Carlton Fisk (1973-1980)- HOF

Designated Hitter- David Ortiz (2003-2016)- HOF, HR champion, WS MVP, LCS MVP

Right-handed starting pitcher- Roger Clemens (1984-1996), MVP, 3X Cy Young award winner (with Boston),

Left-handed starting pitcher- Jon Lester (2007-2014), 3-0 in World Series (for Boston).

Relief pitcher- Jonathan Papelbon (2005-2011)- All-time saves leader for Red Sox

Notes. There were 2 tough position selections. Left Field was challenging. It was between Rice, HOF Carl Yastrzemski, and Manny Ramirez. I eliminated Yaz since his best seasons were prior to 1973 (3 batting titles and MVP). I took Rice based on his long 16-year career with the Red Sox. Although Manny put up terrific numbers with Boston, he only played 7 full seasons. The other difficult choice was picking the right-handed starting pitcher. It was between Clemens and Pedro Martinez. It was tough to pick against HOF Martinez, but I gave the nod to Clemens due to his winning the MVP and Cy Young in the same season. The rest of the list was straightforward. All were the best at their positions in the last 50 years.

Next up is the New York Yankees.