Omar Vizquel was signed as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela by the Seattle Mariners in 1984. A slightly-built switch-hitting shortstop, Vizquel’s glove work carried him through the minor leagues. He made his big league debut with Seattle in 1989.
As the primary shortstop in Seattle from 1989-1993, Vizquel was a consistently above-average defender who often struggled mightily at the plate. He won his first Gold Glove in his final season with the Mariners. After the 1993 season, Vizquel was traded to the Cleveland Indians.
In Cleveland, Vizquel’s skill set proved particularly valuable. The Indians teams of that era were marked by incredibly deep offensive lineups and suspect pitching. They could afford to carry Vizquel’s bat in exchange for his steadying presence at shortstop.
From 1995-2001, the Indians made the playoffs six times in seven seasons with Vizquel at shortstop. They won the American League in 1995 and 1997, but were defeated by the Braves and Marlins respectively in the World Series.
By 1996, Vizquel’s offense had developed to the point where he would often flirt with league-average production. Never much of a power hitter, Vizquel managed to leverage good contact skills, control of the strike zone, and improved base running into some decent offensive years along the way.
Vizquel spent 2005-2008 with the San Francisco Giants. By the end of his Giants tenure, he was 40 years old and clearly declining. His defense was still solid– if not what it had been at his peak– but his offense had regressed to the point where he was no longer playable every day. He spent 2009-2012 with the Rangers, White Sox, and Blue Jays before retiring after his age-45 season.
Hall of Fame?
Vizquel is one of the most interesting cases among the current candidates. He received 37% of the vote in his first year on the ballot last year, so there is clearly some staying power here.
In his 24-year career, Omar Vizquel was an 82 OPS+ hitter. He was an above-average offensive player just twice. His entire Hall of Fame case rests on the defensive side of the ledger.
Searching For Context
Only eight players have won more career Gold Gloves than Vizquel’s 11. Of those eight, only Jim Kaat (16x at pitcher) and Keith Hernandez (11x at first base) are not in the Hall of Fame.
By bWAR, Vizquel is the ninth-best defender of all-time. The great Orioles shortstop Mark Belanger is the only player rated higher than Vizquel who is not in the Hall of Fame.
Vizquel Among Shortstops
Proponents of Vizquel’s candidacy say that his defensive prowess is more than enough for him to be considered a Hall of Famer. Their argument typically centers around the number of Gold Gloves, indelible memories of highlight plays, and the reality that other elite defensive shortstops such as Ozzie Smith, Luis Aparicio, and Rabbit Maranville were elected with similarly unimpressive offensive numbers.
Omar Vizquel is not Ozzie Smith. This is the most common comparison drawn by Vizquel’s supporters, and it simply doesn’t work. Smith is the preeminent defensive player in baseball history and is ultimately without peer. Smith was also the better hitter at a career 87 OPS+, and a superior base runner. Vizquel doesn’t have to be Ozzie Smith to be worthy of the Hall of Fame, but that false equivalency is an important point to correct.
Two comparisons that actually work out pretty well for Vizquel are with Aparicio and Maranville. All three produced identical 82 OPS+ marks for their respective careers. Aparicio actually claims a rather significant offensive edge as a result of being a consistently above-average base runner. Vizquel and Maranville rank as similarly average base runners. The three are also very similar in most modern interpretations of their defensive play.
The closest active comparison to Vizquel is probably Los Angeles Angels shortstop, Andrelton Simmons. Simmons will enter his age-29 season as the premier defensive shortstop in baseball, and a career 92 OPS+ hitter. Simmons will almost certainly accrue more defensive value than Vizquel by the time his career has concluded, and could potentially accomplish that feat as soon as this coming season. Unless you believe that Simmons is a slam dunk Hall of Famer in his own right, it probably makes sense to pump the breaks on Vizquel.
Conclusion
I’m generally not a “Small Hall” kind of guy. I prefer to err on the side of generosity. I think the Hall of Fame as an institution benefits from honoring a wide variety of players.
In the end, I can’t quite get there on Vizquel. He would be among the 2-3 least impressive shortstops in the Hall of Fame if he were selected. If you merely aspire to find candidates that clear the lowest bar at their position, you can find dozens of players who could be included. I don’t necessarily believe that any new Hall of Famer has to raise the average bar for his position either, but Vizquel is too far from that mark for me.
I always admired Vizquel’s skills. There are a handful of his defensive plays that I can recall vividly from memory, and I can’t say that for more than maybe a couple of dozen players in history. At the same time, I never felt like Omar Vizquel was a truly elite player at any point during his career.
I don’t want to come off as a Vizquel basher, or dismissive of his accomplishments. Omar Vizquel was a great player. I don’t believe he was a Hall of Famer.
That doesn’t mean we should forget about him either.
Omar Vizquel Career Highlights from Major League Baseball
Hall of Fame election season is upon us! As members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America begin to publicize their ballots, we will gain a clearer understanding of this winter’s landscape leading into a January announcement of the class of 2019.
Jay Jaffe’s JAWS system has become the closest thing to an accepted standard by which we can compare current candidates to players who have already been enshrined in Cooperstown.
Freddy Garcia was signed as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela by the Houston Astros in 1993. In 1998, the Astros packaged him with Carlos Guillen and John Halama to acquire future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson from the Seattle Mariners. Johnson made 11 dominant starts for Houston, helping them to the NL Central championship before signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks after the season. Garcia and Guillen would each end up among the greatest players in Mariners history.
In six seasons with Seattle, Freddy Garcia went 76-50 with a 114 ERA+, accumulating 18.7 bWAR. He was a two-time All Star with the Mariners and led the American League in ERA (3.05) and innings (238.2) in 2001.
With Garcia approaching free agency, the Mariners dealt him to the Chicago White Sox in June, 2004. From 2004-2006, Garcia made 82 starts for the White Sox, remaining consistently above-average in the process. He was a key piece of the 2005 World Series Champion White Sox.
Chicago traded Garcia to the Phillies after the 2006 season. From 2007-2013, Garcia bounced around to six teams including a return engagement with the White Sox in 2009-2010. In 2011, he made 25 starts at 119 ERA+ to help the Yankees win the A.L. East. Overall, he struggled to remain both healthy and effective for much of his final seven seasons.
Hall of Fame?
Freddy Garcia is one of the best pitchers in the comparatively short history of the Seattle Mariners. He will be listed on the all-time Mariners starting rotation here on Franchise Phenoms. He also holds a special place in the hearts of White Sox fans for his role in ending their franchise’s World Series drought.
As his JAWS ratings would suggest, Freddy Garcia clearly falls below the standard for Hall of Fame starting pitchers. Garcia is probably one-and-done on the ballot. At the same time, he will be fondly remembered by the fan bases of at least two franchises, and that is what we’re all about at Franchise Phenoms.
24. Derek Lowe
JAWS: 31.5 (61.8 Average HOF SP)
Derek Lowe was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 8th round of the 1991 draft out of Ford High School in Dearborn, MI. Lowe made his big league debut with the Mariners in 1997. That July, he was traded with Jason Varitek to the Red Sox for Heathcliff Slocumb. Slocumb made minimal impact on the Mariners while Lowe and Varitek would become Franchise Phenoms for Boston.
In eight seasons with the Red Sox, Lowe would go on to be one of the best pitchers in Red Sox history. Lowe began his career as a versatile, mult-inning arm before becoming closer, and eventually shifting to the starting rotation for the second half of his Red Sox career. He was a two-time All Star, once as a reliever, and once as a starter. He led the league in saves in 2000, and finished third in the Cy Young voting as a starter in 2002. In 1037 innings, he posted 127 ERA+ and 19.4 bWAR.
Lowe was the winning pitcher in Game Four of the 2004 World Series, as the Red Sox finished off a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals and dispelled the Curse of the Bambino.
Following the 2004 season, Lowe signed a four-year contract to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Dodgers, Lowe was largely the same pitcher he had been in Boston. He was a key piece of L.A.’s staring rotation, throwing strikes and racking up ground balls. He finished his Dodgers tenure with 120 ERA+ and 13.3 bWAR. Lowe helped the Dodgers to the postseason in 2006 and 2008.
In 2009, heading into his age-36 season, Lowe signed a free agent deal to join the Atlanta Braves. Although he remained durable, he was less effective during his three years in Atlanta. In 2012-2013, Lowe concluded his career by bouncing from Cleveland to the Yankees, and finally to Texas.
Hall of Fame?
Derek Lowe holds an important place in Red Sox history. His role on the 2004 World Series winners will ensure him a place in Red Sox lore.
Lowe had an excellent 11-year stretch in Boston and L.A. where he was above-average in every season but one. For all of his reliability and sustained success, he was seldom dominant. Aside from 1999-2000 out of the bullpen, and his third-place Cy Young finish as a starter in 2002, Lowe was most often not recognized among the very best pitchers of his generation.
Like Garcia, Lowe falls well short of the Hall of Fame standards for staring pitchers and figures to have a short stay on the ballot. His immortal status in Boston will remain his true legacy.
23. Kevin Youkilis
JAWS: 31.9 (54.7 Average HOF 1B)
Kevin Youkilis was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 8th round of the 2001 draft out of the University of Cincinnati. As a minor leaguer, Youkilis was made famous beyond his prospect status when he was dubbed “The Greek god of Walks” in Moneyball.
Youkilis made his big league debut for the Red Sox in May, 2004. He played a supporting role in the team’s improbable run to its first World Series championship since 1918.
Youkilis was a slightly above-average hitter from 2004-2007. His plate discipline translated nicely, but he failed to show the home run power desired for a corner player.
In the 2007 playoffs, Youkilis was a monster. He hit .500/.576/.929 in Boston’s seven game series win over the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS. The Red Sox swept the Colorado Rockies in the World Series to earn their second championship in four seasons.
Then the power started to show. From 2008-2011, Youk was one of the best offensive players in baseball. He averaged 142 OPS+ and 5.5 bWAR per season during that stretch. He was an All Star in three of those four seasons, and twice got MVP votes finishing third in 2008, and sixth in 2009. With Youk as a driving force, Boston made the playoffs again in both 2008 and 2009.
By 2012, the 33-year-old Youkilis was slowing down. The Red Sox traded him to the White Sox in June. He was better in Chicago, but nothing like the player he had been the previous four years. He played 28 games with the Yankees in 2013, but injuries severely limited him. Youk played 21 games in Japan in 2014, but never returned to the big leagues.
Hall of Fame?
Kevin Youkilis enjoyed a surprisingly short 10-year career in the Major Leagues. His distinctive nickname, facial hair, and batting stance all contributed to a cult following in Red Sox Nation. 96% of his career bWAR was accumulated in parts of nine seasons with the Red Sox. He was a three-time All Star, and won a Gold Glove at first base in 2007.
I will confess to being mildly startled by the realization that Youk played more career games at first base than at third. His career 123 OPS+ would look considerably better at the hot corner. Either way, a 10-year career is seldom enough to earn a place in Cooperstown.
Like Garcia and Lowe, Kevin Youkilis was a great player who will be fondly remembered for his role on championship teams, but not a Hall of Famer.
22. Omar Vizquel
JAWS: 36.2 (55.0 Average HOF SS)
Omar Vizquel is the first truly interesting case in this exercise. Now in his second year on the ballot, Vizquel showed nicely last winter, earning 37% of the vote. As an 11-time Gold Glover and three-time All Star, Vizquel clearly has some staying power.
Vizquel is one of the best defensive players in baseball history. What makes his candidacy interesting is that it is almost entirely dependent on defense.
In his 24-year career, Omar Vizquel was an 82 OPS+ hitter. He was an above-average offensive player just twice. This type of candidate is rare, and Vizquel figures to be one of the more polarizing figures on the ballot in coming years.
Placido Polanco was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. After finishing high school in Santo Domingo, Polanco came to the United States. He attended Miami-Dade Junior College in Florida where he was drafted twice. First, in the 49th round by the White Sox in 1993, and then again in the 19th round by the Cardinals the following year.
At the tender age of 22, Polanco made his big league debut with the Cardinals during Mark McGwire’s home run chase in 1998. Never much of an offensive player in the minors, it took Polanco time to acclimate to the big leagues as well. He was a part-time player until 2001, and failed to post a single above-average offensive line in his five seasons with the Cardinals.
At the 2002 trade deadline, Polanco joined left-hander Bud Smith as the headliners in a package that landed Phillies Franchise PhenomScott Rolen in St. Louis. Polanco elevated his offensive game in Philadelphia by gradually unlocking a little more power and patience. He became a consistently above-average hitter with the Phillies from 2002-2005.
In June, 2005 the Phillies traded Polanco to the Detroit Tigers for closer Ugueth Urbina. Polanco had the best seasons of his career in Detroit from 2005-2009. In 2007 he earned All Star, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger honors for the first time in his career at 31 years old. He won his second Gold Glove at second base for the Tigers in 2009.
Polanco returned to Philadelphia from 2010-2012. In 2011, he made his second All Star team and won his third Gold Glove, this time at third base. He finished his career with the Marlins in 2013.
Hall of Fame?
Placido Polanco played 16 seasons in the big leagues. He was most often an average player, but occasionally a star.
Never the best player on his own team, much less the league, Polanco figures to join Garcia, Lowe, Youkilis, and probably 10 others as one-and-done’s on this year’s ballot.
The Mount RushWAR series will allow us to take a more in-depth look at the careers of the four players with the highest bWAR in each franchise’s history.
Ted Williams (123.1)
Background
Ted Williams was born and raised in San Diego, California. A graduate of Herbert Hoover High School, Williams got his start in pro-ball right in his own back yard with the San Diego Padres, then members of the Double-A Pacific Coast League.
In 1937, while playing for the Padres, Williams was identified as a big league prospect. White Sox Mount RushWAR honoree, Eddie Collins, then the General Manager of the Boston Red Sox, acquired Williams from the Padres after his age-18 season.
Williams spent his age-19 season dominating the Double-A American Association for the Minneapolis Millers. He hit .366 with 43 homers, placing himself firmly on the big club’s radar for 1939.
Red Sox Career
Immediate Impact
Williams made the opening day roster for Boston in 1939. The 20-year-old outfielder was as good as advertised. Williams finished third in the league with 160 OPS+, and led the league with 145 RBI. He finished fourth in the MVP voting after his rookie season. Boston won 89 games, but finished second to the Yankees.
In 1940, Williams was again the third best hitter in the American League at 161 OPS+. He led the league with a .442 OBP, and 134 runs. Williams was selected for what would be the first of 17 seasons as an American League All Star. Boston finished in fourth place at 82-72.
.406
1941 would turn out to be among the most important years in United States history. With the nation drifting closer to eventual entry into World War II, baseball provided a welcomed distraction from world affairs. Ted Williams was right at the center of one of baseball’s most magical summers.
Williams got off to a slow start with just 19 plate appearances through the team’s first nine games in April. By the end of the month, he was playing every day, and on the verge of one of the hottest streaks of his career.
He hit .436/.540/.683 in the month of May. He finished the month in the midst of a 23-game hitting streak that would carry into June.
His season batting average crested on June 6 at .436. Although he couldn’t hold that pace, he was still hitting .404 at the end of the month.
July brought the “low point” in his season. His average dipped to .393 on July 19. He got back to .400 on July 25, and would seldom drop below that magic number the rest of the season.
From July 25 onward, Williams finished the season on a torrid pace. Over his final 64 games, he hit .417/.594/.804 with 19 homers, and an incredible 87 walks against just 15 strikeouts.
After a 4-17 stretch in late-September, his average dipped to .39955 on September 27. With the Red Sox eliminated from playoff contention, destined to yet again finish second to the Yankees, manager Joe Cronin gave Williams the option to sit out the final day and hang onto his rounded .400 average. Williams famously elected to play, finishing 6-8 on the day, and .406 on the season.
On some levels, Williams’s season is held in even greater esteem in modern times than it was as it happened. Joe DiMaggio’s record-setting 56-game hitting streak the same summer for the first-place Yankees stole some of Williams’s thunder. There have been 27 times a player ended his season with an average above .400. It had been 11 years since Bill Terry hit .401 for the New York Giants, and it was not apparent that Williams would be perhaps the last to accomplish the feat.
Before the War
1942 was yet another excellent season for Williams. Four seasons into his big league career, it was clear that Williams was one of the game’s greatest players.
From 1939-1942, Williams averaged .356/.481/.642, 190 OPS+, and 8.6 bWAR per season. He was a three-time All Star with two batting championships, and two home run titles to his credit. He had finished second in the MVP voting back-to-back seasons in 1941-1942.
World War II
With the United States military embroiled in the Second World War, Williams enlisted in the navy’s aviation program in 1943. He spent the next three years serving in the armed forces. Williams initially trained as a naval pilot before joining the Marine Corps. Upon joining the Marines, Williams was quickly assigned duties as a flight instructor during the late stages of the Pacific War.
Although Williams never served in combat, his commitment to the service of his country would become a hallmark of his legacy.
1946: Return to Baseball
The Red Sox struggled mightily without their star slugger from 1943-1945 and failed to finish above .500 during that stretch. Following the end of the War in 1945, Williams returned to the Red Sox for the 1946 season.
Now in his age-27 season, Williams proved he was still among the game’s best players despite his time away from the game. Williams was the best player in the American League in 1946. He led the league in runs (142), walks (156), OBP (.497), slugging (.667), OPS+ (215), and bWAR (10.9).
Williams joined fellow Red Sox Franchise PhenomsBobby Doerr, and Dom DiMaggio, to form the core of a Red Sox offense that led the league by scoring 88 more runs than the next closest team. The Red Sox won 104 games to cruise to the American League pennant.
In the 1946 World Series, Boston faced the St. Louis Cardinals. Williams hit just .200/.333/.200, and the Cardinals took the series in seven games.
Ted Williams was the American League MVP in 1946. The Red Sox would never play another postseason game during the Ted Williams era.
1947-1951
Coming off a brilliant MVP season, Williams proved he had plenty left in the tank. Over the next five years, Williams averaged .340/.483/.619, 184 OPS+, and 7.7 bWAR per season. He won two more batting titles, and twice more led the league in homers during this stretch.
Williams was an All Star in each of the six seasons between his two stints in the armed forces.
He added his second MVP award in 1949 when he led the league in runs (150), doubles (39), homers (43), RBI (159), walks (162), OBP (.490), slugging (.650), OPS+ (191), and bWAR (9.1).
The Korean War
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 when the North Korean Army invaded South Korea. With the government of the United States committed to combating the spread of communism even in foreign nations, American military involvement in the region quickly escalated.
As the war expanded, the Marines recalled experienced pilots to active duty. Williams got his orders just six games into the 1952 season. After training to operate the new planes, Williams headed to Korea on active duty in early 1953. Williams flew 39 combat missions in Korea and, on a few occasions, was lucky to return alive.
Williams was sent home in June after a series of illnesses. He was formally discharged when a cease-fire went into effect the following month. Williams was selected as an All Star in 1953 despite playing just 37 games after he returned home. In total, he had just 122 plate appearances in 43 games sandwiched around his time in the service in 1952-1953.
“The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived”
Ted Williams returned to the Red Sox full-time in 1954. Although he increasingly dealt with injuries and physical ailments into his late-30s, it was this stretch of his career where Williams cemented his place in baseball history.
In the final seven seasons of his career from 1954-1960, Williams was every bit the hitter he had always been. He averaged .337/.477/.624, 189 OPS+, and 5.3 bWAR per season. He made the All Star team in each season, and finished seventh, or better, in the MVP race five times. Even in his final season at age 41, Williams produced 190 OPS+ in 113 games.
Legacy
In 19 seasons with the Red Sox, Ted Williams was an All Star in 17 seasons. A two-time MVP who twice won the Triple Crown, Williams is in a category all by himself in Boston lore.
He is Boston’s career leader in average (.344), OBP (.482), slugging (.634), homers (521), walks (2021), and OPS+ (190).
His advanced knowledge and understanding of the game served as the foundation of a legend that goes beyond being the very best at what he did. Williams literally wrote the book on hitting.
His career bWAR ranks 14th in history despite missing nearly five full seasons during his prime while serving in the military. Williams has the highest OBP in big league history, and ranks second in slugging. Any way you slice it, Teddy Ballgame is one of the greatest players in baseball history.
Philadelphia Phillies Franchise Phenom Chase Utley was released from his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. The move was meant to facilitate his retirement. To commemorate the end of his great career, we take a look back at one of the greatest players in Phillies franchise history. We will also explore where Utley’s legacy leaves him in the history of our great game.
Chase Utley was born and raised in Southern California. Utley was selected by his hometown team, the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 1997 amateur draft out of Polytechnic High School in Long Beach. Rather than sign with the Dodgers, he enrolled at UCLA. Following his junior season for the Bruins, Utley was selected 15th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2000 draft.
Utley quickly rose through the Philadelphia farm system. By 2002, the 23-year-old infielder was in Triple-A, clearly among the best prospects in the minors.
Time Lost
The Phillies sent Utley back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin 2003 in what would prove to be a foolish maneuver. He dominated the International League during his second stint in Triple-A while the Phillies received brutal production from a pair of veteran third basemen. Utley held his own in a 43-game trial, most of which was in August and September. The Phillies won 86 games, and finished five out of the postseason.
Inexplicably, the Phillies jerked him around again at the start of the 2004 season. Utley spent April back in Triple-A before finally earning a permanent place with the big club. David Bell was better at third than he had been the year before, and Placido Polanco was steady at second. Utley managed just 287 plate appearances in the big leagues in his age 25 season. The Phillies again won 86 games, this time finishing six out of the playoffs.
In light of the career that Utley went on to have, it is fair to wonder how much different Phillies history may have been if they had committed to him sooner. For a team in playoff contention for most of 2003-2004, an earlier emergence for one of the greatest players in franchise history could have swung the balance in their favor. Unfortunately, we will never know.
Phillies Career
The Phillies finally committed to Utley more completely in 2005. Polanco was dealt to Detroit in June, and second base in Philadelphia belonged to Chase Utley. In 147 games, he hit .291/.376/.540, good for 132 OPS+. He received some down ballot MVP votes at the conclusion of the year. The team’s inexcusable decision to stick with David Bell through his second miserable season in three years probably cost them the playoffs. With 88 wins, they finished one game out of the Wild Card, and two games out of the Division lead.
2006 would be the sixth straight 80+ win season, none of which resulted in a playoff appearance. Utley made his first All Star team and led the league with 131 runs. He also won his first Silver Slugger, and finished seventh in the MVP voting. With 85 wins, the Phillies were three games out of the Wild Card.
Getting Over The Hump
Following an extended run of respectable mediocrity, better days were ahead for the Phillies starting in 2007. Chase Utley would be right at the center of things.
From 2007-2011, the Phillies won five straight division championships. Utley hit .290/.386/.583, 132 OPS+, and averaged 6.9 bWAR during that stretch. On teams littered with some of the greatest players in franchise history, Chase Utley was arguably the best of them all.
2008
The 2007 Phillies won the NL East, but were swept in the NLDS by the Rockies. With the roster largely intact, Philadelphia repeated as division champs in 2008. Franchise PhenomsCole Hamels and Jimmy Rollins were excellent. Ryan Howard was still among the game’s most feared sluggers, and Brad Lidge was arguably the best reliever in baseball.
On a team loaded with talent, Chase Utley was clearly the best player on the roster. 2008 was Utley’s career year as his usual stellar offense was accompanied by perhaps the best defensive season of his career. He finished with a career best 9.0 bWAR.
2008 Playoffs
In the NLDS the Phillies were matched up with Wild Card team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Although Utley was the least productive regular in the Phillies lineup, his teammates carried him. Philadelphia won the series in four games and rolled into the NLCS.
In the NLCS, the Phillies had home field advantage over the NL West Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. With their ace Cole Hamels rested, and at the height of his powers, Philadelphia was at a decided advantage.
After a rough NLDS, Utley was excellent against the Dodgers. Hamels controlled Game One, holding L.A. to two runs in seven innings. It was Utley’s two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth that tied the game. Left fielder Pat Burrell followed suit two batters later to put the Phillies on top for good.
Utley walked four times in five trips to the plate in Game Two. His teammates slugged out an 8-5 win to take commanding position in the series.
Out west, the Dodgers took Game Three. The Phillies answered back in Game Four. Utley had three hits and an RBI in the win. In Game Five, Utley was 0-4 but walked twice and scored. Hamels allowed one run over seven innings, and the Phillies clinched their first World Series trip since 1980. Utley hit .353/.522/.647 in the series to lead the offense.
2008 World Series
Coming off an incredible Game Seven victory over the Red Sox in the ALCS, the Tampa Bay Rays were riding hot. Themselves winners of 97 games in the regular season, the Rays were loaded with some of their own franchise greats.
Hamels was rested enough to start Game One. Utley delivered the first blow with a two-run homer off Scott Kazmir in the top of the first. Hamels allowed two runs in seven innings before turning it over to the bullpen. Philadelphia took the opener 3-2.
James Shields held the Phillies at bay in Game Two. Tampa won 4-2 to even the series.
Utley delivered again in Game Three. This time it was a solo homer off Matt Garza to lead off the bottom of the sixth to extend the Phillies lead to 3-1. They held on to win 5-4.
The Philadelphia offense exploded in Game Four behind Joe Blanton. Ryan Howard homered twice, and drove in five runs. Utley walked twice and scored a pair of runs. The Phillies won 10-2 to take a 3-1 series lead.
Game Five featured Hamels against Kazmir again. Hamels cemented his place as the World Series MVP allowing just two runs over six innings. In a game that was ultimately decided by the bullpens, Philadelphia won 4-3 to secure their second championship in franchise history. Utley hit just .167 in the series, but homered twice, walked five times, ultimately leading the Phillies with five runs scored.
Repeat?
The 2009 Phillies returned the core of their championship team. The additions of veterans Raul Ibanez and Cliff Lee as well as the emergence of J.A. Happ helped infuse the team with new blood as well. With 93 wins, the Phillies took their third straight NL East title.
For the fourth straight season, Chase Utley was an All Star and received MVP votes. His 8.2 bWAR was only slightly lower than his 2008 career year. His consistently excellent play was once again a driving force in the team’s success.
In a series that featured three one-run games, the Phillies defeated the Rockies in four games in the NLDS. Utley hit .429/.556/.643 to help lead the way.
For the second straight season, the Phillies met the Dodgers in the NLCS. Utley struggled, but still managed to reach base eight times in five games. The offense and starting rotation carried a suspect bullpen in blowout wins in the third and fifth games. The Phillies took the series in five to win their second straight National League pennant.
In the World Series, the Phillies were matched up with the New York Yankees. Utley was otherworldly. In six games, he hit .286/.400/1.048. His five homers, seven runs, and eight RBI were tops for the series. Unfortunately, the pitching staff was less impressive. The Yankees took the series in six to dethrone the defending champs.
Super Teams (2010-2011)
With their remarkable core of position players still under team control, and nearing the end of their respective primes, the clock was ticking after 2009. To their great credit, Phillies management went all in. In December 2009, they traded for another ace in Roy Halladay.
When the 2010 team made a late push to close the gap in the division to 3.5 games in late July, the front office acted again. They shipped three talented young players, including Happ, to the Astros for veteran ace Roy Oswalt.
With three of the best pitchers in baseball on their staff, the Phillies finally overtook the Braves in September. They finished the season with 97 wins and their fourth straight NL East title.
2010 Playoffs
Utley was yet again at the heart of things when the Phillies swept the Reds in the NLDS. His three runs, and four RBI led the way. When Roy Halladay tossed a no-hitter in Game One, it seemed the Phillies might be the favorites heading deeper into October.
Unfortunately, the Phillies ran into another loaded pitching staff in the NLCS. The San Francisco Giants matched the Phillies pitch for pitch. After three one-run victories, the Giants sent the Phillies home in six games.
2011
With the core of their offense returning, and one of the most talented starting rotations in modern history, the 2011 Phillies were a juggernaut. At 3.8 bWAR, Utley ranked just fifth on the team behind the trio of aces Lee, Halladay, and Hamels as well as center fielder Shane Victorino. Their 102-60 record is the best in franchise history.
When the most talented team in franchise history lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in five games in the NLDS, it was a crushing blow. A veteran team with dominant starting pitching, and a core of position players who had won rings just a few years before, the Phillies were widely considered the favorites in 2011. For his part, Utley was excellent leading the Phillies offense with a .438/.571/.688 line in the series.
It Ended Without Us Knowing
With the bulk of the team returning yet again in 2012, it seemed the Phillies were as good a bet as anyone to head back to the postseason. Then the season began, and it quickly became apparent that 2012 was a new year. By June 12, the Phillies were 9.5 games out. They never led the division after opening day.
Utley and catcher Carlos Ruiz were still solid on offense. Hamels and Lee were still among the games best starters. Unfortunately, everyone else struggled. The remaining core group of veterans looked significantly older. The optimism that persisted even after their disappointing loss in 2011 was quickly gone as the team had to confront the prospect of an expensive core of veterans aging in a less than graceful fashion.
Utley remained one of the top second basemen in the game in 2013-2014. Most efforts to patch the roster failed, however. The core of some of the greatest teams in Phillies history was depleted beyond repair.
In 2015, father time finally caught up to Utley as well. After 73 rough games, the Phillies traded one of the greatest players in their history to the eventual NL West champion Dodgers in an under the radar August deal.
After Philadelphia
After moving to the Dodgers, Utley instantly went from being the face of a franchise to just another player. He was acquired not to save the team, but to support it.
From 2015-2018, Utley served as a semi-regular player, platoon option, and veteran leader in Los Angeles. On a wonderfully deep and versatile roster, Utley was just one of the boys. Still, he contributed to four straight division champions. He even returned to the World Series in 2017 when the Dodgers were defeated by the Houston Astros.
Utley announced his intention to retire after the 2018 season before it concluded. The Dodgers made the World Series for the second straight season in 2018, but were defeated by the Boston Red Sox in five games. Utley was left off the playoff roster.
Legacy
I like Chase Utley as a Hall of Fame candidate. At the same time, I suspect that many modern baseball fans have severely underappreciated him. There are probably a variety of factors at play here.
His particular contributions were diverse and wide-ranging. Chase Utley was good at just about everything on a baseball field. At the same time, he was not elite at most of those things outside of the occasional peak season in one skill or another. Because he was above-average or better at just about everything, he was always great even when it wasn’t totally obvious.
Beyond his sneaky greatness, or perhaps because of it, Utley was often not identified as the best player on his own team. Howard and Rollins each won NL MVP awards in seasons when Chase Utley was actually the best player on the Phillies.
Finally, his delayed ascension to big league stardom is probably still a factor even after a stellar 16-year career. Utley didn’t debut until he was 24. He wasn’t an everyday player until he was 26. Most Hall of Fame players simply get started younger. That lost time cost him some important counting stats in the end.
Chase Utley was a six-time All Star and won four Silver Sluggers. He received MVP votes four times, but never finished higher than seventh. Viewing him in the context of his place among the all-time Phillies greats might be the most favorable light in which to appreciate his excellent career.
Utley is ranked as the 11th best second baseman in history by JAWS. He comes in right above the current average for Hall of Famers at the position. His peak was fairly short by Hall of Fame standards, but that shouldn’t detract from his case. As a great player on great teams, his intangibles should earn him any benefit of the doubt.
Chase Utley’s Career Highlights from Major League Baseball
Minnesota Twins all-time great Joe Mauer announced his retirement on Friday. To commemorate the end of his great career, we take a look back at one of the greatest players in Twins franchise history. We will also explore where Mauer’s legacy leaves him in the history of our great game.
Background
Joe Mauer was born and raised in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. A legendary high school athlete for Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Mauer was highly accomplished in multiple sports. As a quarterback, Mauer was committed to play for Florida State. For all of his gridiron prowess, Mauer’s destiny was on the diamond.
With the first pick in the 2001 MLB draft, the Minnesota Twins were faced with a dilemma. The consensus top prospect in the draft was Southern California rigth-hander Mark Prior. A dominant arm assured to arrive quickly in the majors, Prior was at the top of virtually every evaluator’s list that spring. When the Twins balked at Prior’s contract demands, they turned to the elite prep catcher in their own backyard instead.
Drafted into a scenario fraught with potential downside, Mauer had much to prove. The reports on his tools included an elite swing, athleticism and plus, or better, tools on the defensive side. Still, the pick felt to many observers like little more than a penny-pinching maneuver from the Twins. Prior’s quick ascent to the big leagues less than a year after being drafted didn’t do Mauer, or the Twins, any favors either.
As Prior quickly became a household name, Mauer methodically worked his way through the minors. While Prior finished third in the Cy Young race in 2003, Mauer finished his age-20 season at Double-A New Britain.
Getting Settled In
Despite the fact that Mauer was Baseball America’s top prospect heading into the 2004 season, it was unclear whether he would ever live up to his draft position, or live down the reputation of being selected before Prior. Mauer made his debut in 2004, but struggled with injuries and played just 35 games at the big league level.
In 2005, Mauer was healthy and immediately proved himself to be an above-average big league catcher. He hit .294/.372/.411, 107 OPS+ and produced 2.8 bWAR. By this point, it was clear that even if the Twins had not taken the best player in the draft, Mauer would be a fixture in Minnesota for years to come.
Breakout and Prime
2006 was Joe Mauer’s coming-out party. Mauer hit .347/.429/.507, 144 OPS+ and won the American League batting title. At 5.8 bWAR, Mauer was the most valuable catcher in baseball. He was selected to the All Star team for the first time, and won his first Silver Slugger.
Mauer’s breakout was well timed with those of a number of his teammates. First baseman Justin Morneau won the MVP in 2006. Left-hander Johan Santana won his second Cy Young Award. 22-year-old lefty Francisco Liriano came out of nowhere to join the rotation. He posted an even better ERA+ than Santana. Closer Joe Nathan was arguably the best reliever in the game.
The Twins surged to 96 wins and the American League Central championship before being swept in the ALDS by the Oakland Athletics. Despite the heartbreaking end to an excellent season, the five best players on the 2006 Twins were under 30 and returning. The future was bright in Minnesota with Mauer leading the way.
In a regrettable twist of fate, 2006 was also the last time Mark Prior pitched in the Major Leagues. A series of injuries held him to just 43.2 innings that season, and kept him from ever returning to a big league mound. Prior was a brilliant supernova whose 16.6 career bWAR would still rank fourth best in his draft class despite not pitching after age 25. The top pick, Joe Mauer, would end up being the top player in the 2001 draft after all.
Mauer came back to earth a little in 2007. Although his underlying skills were well intact, his BABIP dropped 45 points and his overall line suffered. He finished the year at 118 OPS+ with 3.9 bWAR. Morneau and Santana regressed as well. Liriano missed the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and was never quite the same again. The Twins finished 79-83.
Baseball’s Best Backstop
With Santana headed towards a mega-contract in free agency, Minnesota dealt him to the Mets in February, 2008. Joe Mauer was now, officially, the face of his hometown franchise. Mauer responded with a stretch that included some of the best baseball of his career.
Still just 25 years old, Mauer won his second batting title in 2008. He hit .328/.413/.451, 134 OPS+ and produced 5.6 bWAR. He made his second All Star team, won his second Silver Slugger, and his first Gold Glove. Still the preeminent catcher in the game, Mauer finished fourth in the MVP race. The Twins rebounded to win 88 games, but lost a Game 163 tiebreaker to the White Sox to narrowly miss the playoffs.
2009 MVP
Mauer’s career-year came the following season. In 2009, Mauer led the American League in each of the triple-slash categories with a .365/.444/.587 line. His 171 OPS+ was also tops in the league. For the second straight year, Mauer was an All Star, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glover. He received all but one first-place vote for MVP.
The Twins won 87 games, which was enough to win the Central this time around. Unfortunately, they were swept in the ALDS for the second time in four seasons, this time by the New York Yankees.
Back to the Playoffs
The 2010 Minnesota Twins repeated as AL Central champions, this time winning 94 games. Once again, Mauer was the best player on a division champion. He hit .327/.402/.469, good for 140 OPS+ and 5.9 bWAR. For the third straight season, Mauer was an All Star, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glover.
Still an OBP machine, Mauer was the 10th best hitter in the American League in 2010. Notably, his power output declined precipitously. The Twins had moved into their new home ballpark at Target Field, and Mauer was impacted more than any other player. After hitting 28 homers during his MVP campaign in 2009, he hit just nine in 2010.
For the second straight season, the Twins met the Yankees in the ALDS. For the second straight season, they were dispatched in three games.
A Dark Age in Minnesota
2011 marked the beginning of a brutal stretch for the Twins. Coming off back-to-back division championships, there was reason for optimism heading into the season, but it quickly faded. The team cratered in every facet of the game and finished with the worst record in the American League.
For his part, Mauer played just 82 games in 2011. Knee and shoulder injuries combined with a virus conspired to leave Mauer battling to get healthy all season. He was never quite right and produced just 102 OPS+.
Healthy again in 2012, Mauer proved he was still a star. He produced 140 OPS+ on the strength of a league-leading .416 OBP. He was selected to the All Star team for the fifth time. A healthy Mauer was not enough to save a brutal starting rotation, and the Twins were again the worst team in the American League.
2013 was more of the same for Mauer and the Twins. The 30-year-old backstop produced 142 OPS+, making him the eighth best hitter in the A.L. Mauer was once again an All Star and Silver Slugger. The Twins continued to struggle, winning just 66 games.
Decline Phase
Unbeknownst to the baseball world, Joe Mauer’s best days were behind him by the end of 2013. A concussion suffered during the 2013 season would mark the beginning of a difficult final five seasons for the franchise icon.
To ease the burden, and limit the physical risk to their superstar, the Twins moved Mauer to first base full-time in 2014. The move largely had the desired effect on his availability. Mauer averaged 136 games over his final five seasons after averaging just 123 over his previous five. He continued to battle injuries, but was mostly available.
It quickly became clear that Mauer’s was not the same player, however. The injuries, particularly the aftereffects of his concussions, took their toll. A career 135 OPS+ hitter through 2013, Mauer averaged just 105 OPS+ from 2014-2018. His contact and on-base skills, once elite, were now merely above-average. His power, initially dampened by the move to Target Field, all but evaporated.
The Twins averaged just 75 wins per season during this stretch. Outside of a surprise 85-win season that ended in a wild card game loss to the Yankees in 2017, Minnesota was seldom relevant during Mauer’s final years.
Joe Mauer announced his retirement in November, 2018 at 35 years old. He played his entire career for his hometown Twins.
Legacy
Through 2013, Mauer boasted a career line of .323/.405/.468, 135 OPS+, and averaged 6.2 bWAR per 650 plate appearances. He had 1414 hits, 105 homers, 634 RBI, and more walks than strikeouts for his career. Joe Mauer was a surefire Hall of Famer through his age-30 season.
Then the injuries set in. Every aspect of Mauer’s game was negatively impacted by the physical beating he took during his 20s. It is now clear that the concussions, especially, chipped away at one of the greatest talents of his generation.
Mauer’s Hall of Fame candidacy likely rests solely on the extent to which the voters consider him a catcher. With 921 career appearances behind the plate, Mauer played there more than anywhere else. He also made 913 appearances as a first baseman or designated hitter.
Considered solely as a catcher, Mauer should be viewed as a slam dunk. Notably, JAWS ranks him as the 7th best catcher in history and above the average for Hall of Famers at the position.
If voters even partially penalize him for his time spent at first base, dramatic decline, or overall short career, his candidacy could be in jeopardy. When compared with first basemen, Mauer falls well short of the overall standard required for enshrinement. While it would be unfair to consider him primarily a first baseman, it’s not clear whether the voters will consider him mostly a catcher.
For my money, Joe Mauer is a Hall of Famer. He was the best catcher in baseball for nearly a decade. While it would have been better for baseball to see him have a more just decline phase, it wasn’t in the cards. Given the choice, I like peak level heroics in my Hall of Famers, even if they don’t necessarily age all that well.
Rather than focus on what didn’t go right, I prefer to remember Joe Mauer as one of the greatest catchers of my lifetime.
Next up Franchise Phenoms is the All-Time Red Sox Team. Boston follows the White Sox, Phillies, and Rockies as fourth up in our series.
Franchise Overview
The Red Sox were founded in 1901 as a charter member of the American League. Only eight National League franchises have played more seasons than the Red Sox.
For much of the middle portion of their existence, Red Sox history was marked by disappointment and unfulfilled promise. Boston famously did not win a World Series from 1918-2004. They made the playoffs 10 times during that period, including four trips to the fall classic. Boston fans gradually became accustomed to having their hearts ripped out in the most dramatic and agonizing fashion.
The total picture of Red Sox history is actually much prettier than the heartache in the middle. The misery of Boston fans has been book-ended by two of the most impressive stretches of any franchise in history.
The Red Sox are tied for the third most World Series championships in history with nine (1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2018).
Their .519 winning percentage is the fifth best all-time mark of any big league franchise.
Boston has made the playoffs in 20.3 % of their seasons, the seventh highest percentage in history.
Red Sox fans may always measure their franchise against the long-term dominance of their rivals in New York. Viewed in that context, there is still work to do. At the same time, Boston’s history would be the envy of nearly every other fan-base in America. Context is fun.
Hitters
Starting Lineup
Name
Position
B/T
bWAR/ 650
OPS+
Years Played
1.
Wade Boggs
3B
L/R
6.5
142
1982-92
2.
Ted Williams
RF (LF)
L/R
8.2
190
1939-60
3.
Nomar Garciaparra
SS (1B)
R/R
6.3
133
1996-2004
4.
David Ortiz
DH (1B)
L/L
4.2
148
2003-16
5.
Carl Yastrzemski
CF (LF/1B)
L/R
4.5
129
1961-83
6.
Jim Rice
LF
R/R
3.5
128
1974-89
7.
Dwight Evans
1B (RF)
R/R
4.3
127
1972-90
8.
Carlton Fisk
C
R/R
6.0
126
1969-80
9.
Dustin Pedroia
2B
R/R
5.0
113
2006-Present
Bench
OF
Harry Hooper
RF
L/R
3.5
114
1909-20
OF
Dom DiMaggio
CF
R/R
3.3
110
1940-53
IN
Bobby Doerr
2B
R/R
4.2
115
1937-51
IN
Rico Petrocelli
SS/3B
R/R
4.2
108
1963-76
C
Jason Varitek
C
S/R
2.8
98
1997-2011
Fenway Phenoms
Not surprisingly, for a team that has had the long-term historical success of the Red Sox, the All-Time Red Sox Team is one of the most impressive rosters in the entire exercise. The All-Time Red Sox hitters have the seventh highest average OPS+.
Boston’s all-time starting nine is an impressive collection of talent and names.
“The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived”
Any list of the greatest Red Sox in history has to begin with Ted Williams. A two-time MVP who twice won the Triple Crown, Williams is in a category all by himself in Boston lore. He was an All Star in 17 of the 19 seasons he played for the Red Sox.
His career bWAR ranks 14th in history despite missing significant time in his prime while serving in the military. Williams has the highest OBP in big league history (.482) and ranks second in slugging (.634). Any way you slice it, Teddy Ballgame is one of the greatest players in baseball history.
Red Sox Royalty
Like Williams, Carl Yastrzemski holds a special place in the hearts of Boston fans. Yaz spent his entire 23-year career in Boston, earning All Star honors in 18 of those seasons. In 1967, he propelled the Red Sox to the World Series. He won the MVP and the Triple Crown that year, captivating Red Sox Nation. He is probably more responsible for reversing the fortunes of one of the game’s great franchises than any other player.
Designated Hitter, David Ortiz is a similarly mythical figure in Boston history. A 10-time All Star, Big Papi was one of the most feared sluggers of his generation. The slayer of Boston’s postseason demons, his clutch-hitting feats are the stuff of baseball legend. Ortiz has a chance to break the stigma against players who were primarily designated hitters making the Hall of Fame.
Hall of Famers Galore
Third baseman Wade Boggs was an eight-time All Star during his 11 years in Boston. Perhaps the greatest pure hitter and on-base machine of his generation, Boggs won five batting titles, and led the league in OBP six times during his Red Sox career. He was a solid defender as well, winning two Gold Gloves to boot.
Carlton Fisk is one of the great catchers in big league history. In 11 seasons in Boston, Pudge was a seven-time All Star as one of the best offensive catchers the game has ever seen. His homer in Game Six of the 1975 World Series is one of the most iconic moments in baseball history. He made the All Star team five more times as a member of the White Sox, where he can also lay claim to the title of best catcher in their franchise’s history.
Left-fielder Jim Rice developed a reputation as one of the most feared sluggers of his day. In 16 seasons with the Red Sox, Rice was an eight-time All Star. He led the league in homers three times, and won the AL MVP in 1978.
The Rest of the Starters
Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra burst onto the scene as the 1997 AL Rookie of the Year. Nomar was a two-time batting champion, and five-time All Star in Boston. Nomar’s nine years in Boston represent one of the best offensive stretches for a shortstop in big league history.
Dwight Evans gets the nod at first base. Dewey played 19 of his 20 seasons in Boston. An excellent outfielder who won eight Gold Gloves in Boston’s difficult right field, Evans moves to first to accommodate Boston’s wealth of great outfielders. He was a three-time All Star and two-time Silver Slugger as well. A well-rounded player, he led the league in walks three times and homers, runs, and OBP once each.
Second baseman Dustin Pedroia endeared himself to Red Sox fans the way few other players have. Listed at just 5’9″, 175 pounds, Pedroia’s “Laser Show” was one of the top attractions on two World Series teams. To date, Pedroia has made the All Star team four times. He has also won four Gold Gloves, and a Silver Slugger with Boston. He was the AL MVP in 2008 when he led the league in runs, hits, and doubles.
Bench
Hall of Fame right fielder Harry Hooper is part of a deep Boston bench. A speed/OBP oriented offensive player, Hooper spent 12 years in Boston. He received MVP votes in 1913-1914. He is Boston’s career leader in triples (130).
Center fielder Dom DiMaggio played his entire 11-year career with the Red Sox. He was a seven-time All Star despite missing his age 26-28 seasons in military service during World War II. DiMaggio received MVP votes six times, including a 9th place finish in 1946. He twice led the league in runs, and once each in triples and stolen bases.
Hall of Fame second baseman Bobby Doerr headlines the Boston bench. With more power than a typical middle infielder, Doerr racked up nine All Star selections in 14 seasons with Boston. He led the league in slugging in 1944. Doerr received MVP votes eight times, finishing third in 1946.
Rico Petrocelli spent 13 years in Boston, splitting his time between shortstop and third base. A well-regarded defensive player who as occasionally excellent at the plate as well, Petrocelli was one of the more underrated players of his generation. He was a two-time All Star, and received MVP votes three times. In 1969, he clubbed 40 homers en route to an incredible 10.0 bWAR to lead the American League, but finished just 7th in the MVP race.
Jason Varitek gets the nod as the backup catcher. As captain of the Red Sox for the final seven seasons of his 15-year career, Varitek was at the center of some of the best teams in Boston history including two World Series champions. The switch-hitter was a three-time All Star who also pulled in Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards in 2005. He received down-ballot MVP consideration three times.
Pitchers
Starting Rotation
Name
B/T
ERA+
Years Played
1.
Cy Young
R/R
147
1901-08
2.
Pedro Martinez
R/R
191
1998-2004
3.
Roger Clemens
R/R
145
1984-96
4.
Jon Lester
L/L
120
2006-14
5.
Luis Tiant
R/R
119
1971-78
Bullpen
LR
Tim Wakefield
R/R
106
1995-2011
RP
Bob Stanley
R/R
119
1977-89
RP
Derek Lowe
R/R
128
1998-2004
RP
Ellis Kinder
R/R
135
1948-55
SU
Dick Radatz
R/R
147
1962-66
CL
Jonathan Papelbon
R/R
197
2005-11
Starting Rotation
The Red Sox carry a truly elite collection of all-time pitching talent. The 144 OPS+ average of their five starting pitchers is the best of any all-time team’s rotation.
All-Time Greats
The Name
The man whose name is synonymous with pitching excellence fronts Boston’s rotation. Cy Young started his career with nine seasons for the now-defunct Cleveland Spiders, then two in St. Louis before coming to Boston in 1901. In eight seasons with the Red Sox, Cy Young solidified his status as a big league legend.
Young won the Triple Crown while pitching for Boston in 1901. Overall, he led the league in wins three times, innings twice, ERA and strikeouts once each for the Red Sox. Modern metrics view him favorably as well. He led the league in FIP three times, WHIP four times, and strikeout-to-walk ratio five times during his time in Boston. He eclipsed nine bWAR an incredible four times during his Boston years alone. Cy Young remains baseball’s all-time leader in wins (511), starts (815), complete games (749), and innings (7356).
The Force
Name recognition gets Cy Young the ceremonial top spot in Boston’s rotation, but Pedro Martinez has a legitimate claim to the title of best Red Sox pitcher in history. Pedro’s seven-year run in Boston is considered among the best stretches of any pitcher, in any era, in history. His pinpoint control of some of the best stuff the game has ever seen often made him unhittable.
Like Cy Young himself, Pedro has a Triple Crown to his credit with the Red Sox in 1999. Pedro was a four-time All Star in Boston. He won back-to-back Cy Youngs in 1999-2000 and finished in the top-five four more times. He also received MVP votes five times, including back-to-back top-five finishes in his Cy Young seasons.
Martinez led the league in ERA, ERA+, WHIP, FIP, and K/9 in the same season four times with the Red Sox. In a loaded pantheon of Boston starting pitchers, Pedro has the top strikeout and strikeout-walk rates in team history. While he may not have the longevity of some of Boston’s other pitchers, there is little debate that he was the most dominant.
The Rocket
Roger Clemens spent the first 13 seasons of his 24-year career in Boston giving him the longest tenure of any member of the rotation. With some of the most explosive stuff the game had seen in its history, Clemens became an icon nationwide. He would go on to forge one of the most remarkable, and controversial, careers in big league history, and it all began in Boston.
Clemens won the first of three Cy Young awards with Boston at age 23 in 1986 when he was also the MVP. He backed it up with another Cy Young season in 1987 before winning his third in 1991. Clemens also had three other top-six finishes with the Red Sox. He earned MVP votes four times in Boston. He was a five-time All Star for the Red Sox.
Clemens led the league in FIP six times as a member of the Red Sox. He also paced in the A.L. in ERA, ERA+, and strikeout-to-walk ratio four times, and wins, strikeouts, and WHIP twice each. Clemens leads Red Sox pitchers in wins, strikeouts, and shutouts for his career. With the most pitching bWAR of any Red Sox hurler, we will dig deeper into his career in the Mount RushWAR series.
The Lefty
Jon Lester spent the first nine years of his career in Boston. Although rarely recognized as among the very best pitchers in the game, his steadiness in big games proved invaluable on the road to two World Series titles in Boston. Lester was a three-time All Star in Boston. He finished fourth in the Cy Young voting in 2010 and 2014. He led the league in K/9 in 2010.
The Cuban
One of the best Latin pitchers in history, Luis Tiant began his career in Cleveland before coming to Boston at age 30 in 1971. At a time in his career when it appeared his best days were behind him, Tiant’s eight years in Boston were his renaissance. In Boston, he was a two-time All Star who finished sixth or better in the Cy Young voting three times while earning MVP votes in each of those seasons. Tiant led the league in ERA in 1972, and WHIP in 1973.
Bullpen
As good as Boston’s all-time starting rotation is, the bullpen isn’t far behind. The average ERA+ for Boston’s all-time relievers is tied for sixth best.
Jonathan Papelbon gets the nod at closer for the Red Sox. His 197 ERA+ over seven seasons in Boston is the fourth best mark of any Franchise Phenom reliever. Papelbon made four straight All Star teams from 2006-2009. He earned saves in three of Boston’s four World Series wins, including the clincher, in 2007. His 219 saves are the most in Red Sox history.
In five years with Boston, Dick Radatz was one of the most effective relievers in baseball. He was utterly dominant for his first three seasons, and led the league in saves twice during that stretch. He was a two-time All Star who twice finished in the top-10 in the MVP voting. Radatz still has the lowest Hit/9 rate of any pitcher in Boston history.
Ellis Kinder began his Red Sox career as a starter, including a 23-win season in 1949. He ultimately shifted to the bullpen, and was primarily a reliever for five of his eight years in Boston. Kinder led the league in saves, and appearances, in 1951 and 1953. He finished 11th, or better, in the MVP race three times.
Acquired from the Mariners in the same trade that brought fellow Franchise Phenom Jason Varitek to Boston, Derek Lowe would go on to be one of the best pitchers in Red Sox history. Lowe began his career as a versatile, mult-inning arm before becoming closer, and eventually shifting to the starting rotation for the second half of his Red Sox career. He was a two-time All Star, once as a reliever, and once as a starter. He led the league in saves in 2000, and finished third in the Cy Young as a starter in 2002.
Bob Stanley spent his entire 13-year career in Boston, primarily as a reliever. A versatile pitcher who regularly threw multiple innings out of the bullpen, Stanley was one of Boston’s most trusted arms for more than a decade. He was a two-time All Star who twice finished seventh in the Cy Young voting, and earned MVP votes three times. He led the league in ERA+ in 1982. Stanley remains Boston’s all-time leader in games pitched (637) and games finished (377).
Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield rounds out the Boston pitching staff. Although he was primarily a starter in his 17 seasons with Boston, he did make 160 relief appearances. Wakefield finished third in the Cy Young voting in his 1995 Red Sox debut. He would go on to be a critical piece of two World Series teams. He was an All Star in 2009. Wakefield is Boston’s all-time leader in games started (430) and innings (3006).
