Top 10 debuts in Red Sox history

BOSTON -- As the old saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression.

For some select Red Sox players over the past several decades, that led to some debuts that were both sparkling and unforgettable.

The task for this assignment was to pick the top 10 debuts in Red Sox history. Keep in mind, this list only includes those players who were also making their Major League debut in that game.

Here is my Top 10.

Billy lets it Rohr in the Bronx -- April 14, 1967
Perhaps the first inkling that the 1967 season would be one of the most magical in Red Sox history was when a lefty named Billy Rohr had a no-hitter through eight innings at Yankee Stadium. When Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski robbed Tom Tresh with a tumbling, diving catch to open the ninth, it sure seemed like Rohr would make history. However, Elston Howard, who would be on Boston's roster for its pennant and World Series run just months later, snapped the bid with a line-drive single to right. Rohr settled for a one-hitter. It was one of just three wins in his career.

Only cheers for Boo’s debut -- April 29, 1945
Because he served in World War II, the career of Dave “Boo” Ferriss started a couple of years late. The righty quickly made up for lost time with what was certainly the best two-way debut by a player in Sox history. It would have made Shohei Ohtani proud. On the mound, Ferriss fired a shutout in the first game of a road doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics. He allowed five hits and struck out five. He was 3-for-3 at the plate and scored one of Boston's runs during a tight 2-0 victory. Arm injuries shortened his career, but the workhorse logged 264 2/3 innings and won 21 games during his rookie season. Ferriss followed that up with 274 innings and 25 wins during the pennant-winning season in 1946.

Nava’s performance worth more than a buck -- June 12, 2010
Due to some injuries in the outfield, the Red Sox called up a player even some of their most astute fans hadn’t heard of in Daniel Nava for this Saturday afternoon home game against the Phillies. Boston had obtained the rights to Nava by paying the Chico Outlaws -- a team in the independent Golden Baseball League -- one dollar. It took Nava just one pitch to prove he was worth far more. On a first-pitch fastball by Joe Blanton, Nava mashed a grand slam as part of his two-hit debut. He became the second player to hit his first career pitch for a slam. Three years later, Nava was the primary left fielder for the World Series champion Red Sox.

For starters, Aase is aces -- July 26, 1977
Thrust into the middle of a pennant race, the stakes were high when 22-year-old Don Aase stepped onto the mound at Fenway Park for the first time. Facing the Brewers, Aase was still standing on the mound when the game ended. The righty went the distance, scattering nine hits and allowing just three runs (two earned) while establishing a franchise record for a pitcher making his debut with 11 strikeouts. The record still stands, though Connelly Early tied it in 2025. Every pitch was important, as Aase led the Sox to a 4-3 win that put them just one game back in the American League East.

Dice-K mania lives up to hype -- April 5, 2007
Considering the Red Sox paid a posting fee of $51.1 million to get exclusive negotiating rights with Japanese sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka and then agreed with him on a six-year, $52 million contract, the hype was on from the moment the righty arrived in Boston. His first career start was on the road, and Matsuzaka made a memorable opening statement, holding the Royals to one run over seven innings during which he walked just one and struck out 10, leading his team to a 4-1 victory. Dice-K had 14 more wins during his rookie season, plus two in the postseason and a World Series title.

Cox (4-for-4) a big hit out of the gate -- Sept. 18, 1977
How rare is it for a player to get four hits in a Major League debut? Ted Cox remains the only player in Red Sox history to do so. Cox reached base in all five of his plate appearances that afternoon in Baltimore. His quartet of hits (three singles and a double) helped Boston to a 10-4 triumph. After that four-hit opener, Cox collected 185 more knocks in his career, playing just the one season in Boston while also making stops with Cleveland, Seattle and Toronto.

Combs no lemon in debut -- Sept 12, 1947
Who is Merl Combs? It is a fair question to ask, considering the infielder hit just .202 in 140 games over five seasons with three teams. But Combs was all the rage when he made his debut for the defending American League champion Red Sox late in the 1947 season, going 3-for-5 with a three-run homer off eventual 207-game winner Bob Lemon as part of a four-RBI performance against Cleveland. It was the only homer Combs hit for Boston, and one of two he hit in his career. Merrill’s six total bases are tied with Nava for best in a Boston debut.

Dave was more than just his no-hitter -- April 13, 1963
Dave Morehead goes down in the annals of Red Sox history for the no-hitter he threw at Fenway Park against Cleveland on Sept. 16, 1965. But that shouldn’t overshadow the sparkling first start of his career, when he fired a shutout with 10 strikeouts on the road to beat the Senators, 3-0. Morehead’s other claim to fame was winning five games for the Impossible Dream Red Sox of ‘67, including a shutout against the Tigers at Fenway on Aug. 15.

E-Rod makes opening statement in Texas -- May 28, 2015
The Red Sox had been in a rut in terms of developing starting pitching, but that changed after a 2014 trade when Andrew Miller was dealt to the Orioles for a prospect named Eduardo Rodriguez. The lefty completed his development in the Boston farm system and was more than ready when called on to help the Major League team for the first time. Pitching in Texas, Rodriguez held the Rangers to three hits over 7 2/3 innings while walking two and striking out seven during Boston's 5-1 win.

Morton’s rare cut -- July 5, 1991
The Red Sox had high hopes for this lefty prospect out of Seton Hall, and he proved why the first chance he got. In his first career start at Fenway against the Tigers, Kevin Morton went the distance, allowing five hits and a walk while punching out nine during a 10-1 rout. It was a performance that Morton will always savor, because he didn't have many highlights after that. He won five more games during his rookie campaign and never pitched in the Majors again.