FOX Sports Unveils Controversial All-Time Red Sox Team
The Boston Red Sox have had numerous stars and Hall of Famers since their first season in 1901, including some of the most famous players in baseball history. That makes building an all-time lineup difficult, as there are plenty of great choices at every position.
FOX Sports recently attempted this exercise, releasing its all-time Red Sox team on Wednesday. However, some of the choices were puzzling, to say the least.
While Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski are no-brainers in the outfield, Mookie Betts is an interesting third choice. He only spent six seasons with Boston before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he’ll likely go into Cooperstown as a Dodger.
Jim Rice, a Hall of Famer who spent his entire 16-year career with the Red Sox, probably would have been a better choice. Ditto Dwight Evans, a borderline Hall of Famer who spent 19 of his 20 seasons in Boston, winning eight Gold Gloves.
One could also make the case for Manny Ramirez or Tris Speaker, both elite hitters who contributed to multiple World Series titles with the Red Sox.
Shortstop features a major oversight as well. While Nomar Garciaparra had a great run in Boston, he was no Joe Cronin — a Hall of Famer who played 11 seasons for the Red Sox and managed them to the 1946 American League pennant. Rico Petrocelli and Xander Bogaerts are also worthy of consideration.
Dustin Pedroia over Bobby Doerr at second base is also debatable. While both finished their careers with nearly identical WAR totals (around 51 apiece), Doerr’s a Hall of Famer and a nine-time All-Star. Pedroia only made four All-Star teams and may not make the Hall of Fame.
Cy Young at starting pitcher is also an interesting pick. While he’s unquestionably one of the greatest pitchers ever, he also spent his entire career in the Deadball Era and never pitched in Fenway Park. Roger Clemens or Pedro Martinez would have been a more appropriate choice there given their historic dominance in more challenging pitching environments.
One could also quibble with Carlton Fisk over Jason Varitek or Jonathan Papelbon over Bob Stanley, but they’re defensible choices. Like Yastrzemski and Williams, Jimmie Foxx, David Ortiz, Wade Boggs and Terry Francona are all easy calls.
While some of the selections may be up for debate, Boston fans have been fortunate to watch so many talented players over the years, inluding a new wave of stars that might crack the lineup someday.