Shaun's All Fenway Team
The other day one of my fellow Cave Dwellers posed the question: Which ballpark would you most like to see your favorite team play in (other than their home park)? The most popular answer (and the one I gave) was Fenway Park. The biggest reason being the incredible history. This season marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of Fenway Park. And in honor of hitting the century mark, the Boston Red Sox are asking fans to submit their picks for the “All-Fenway Team.” A team made up of the greatest Red Sox to ever play at their position. I went ahead and compiled my list so that I could share it with you.
Manager - Terry Francona. Tito, as they called him, embodied what the Red Sox were during his time on the bench. I feel like he should still be the manager. Some say it was time for him to go, but I disagree. He led the team to the top of the mountain twice, and I just feel like he was, and still is, underappreciated.
Bench Player - Bernie Carbo. Facing elimination in the 1975 World Series, Carbo’s pinch-hit, three-run homer sent the game into extra innings, where the Sox prevailed to force a seventh game. If I need a bat off the bench late in a big game, I want Carbo.
Bullpen - Derek Lowe. Say what you will about this pick, but Derek Lowe had phenomenal seasons as both a starter AND a closer while with the Red Sox, moving back and forth several times. Not to mention, he was the winning pitcher in the deciding games of the 2004 ALCS AND World Series.
Left-Handed Pitcher - Babe Ruth. Do I really have to explain this one? Forget about what happened when he was with the Yankees. He won three World Championships with the Red Sox and never lost a Postseason game as a Boston hurler.
Right-Handed Pitcher - Pedro Martinez.There are plenty of great choices here, but Pedro Martinez was one of the most dominant pitchers EVER, and he was in his prime with the Red Sox. His 1999 season was one of the best a pitcher has ever had. His back-to-back unanimous Cy Young Awards and World Championship are tough to pass up.
Catcher - Carlton Fisk. It doesn’t get much more iconic than Game Six of the ’75 World Series. That home run is one of the greatest moments in baseball history. That and the fact that only one catcher in MLB history caught more games behind the plate than Fisk.
First Base - Jimmie Foxx. Foxx is one of the all-time great players in MLB history. He had the ability to hit for power and average. A lifetime .325 hitter who currently ranks 17th on the all-time home run list, I don’t see how you can argue against him.
Second Base - Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia is one of only 10 second basemen to win the MVP award, and he is the only one to do it as a member of the Red Sox. He’s one of the best players in the game today and is a player who could have done it in any generation.
Third Base - Wade Boggs. Wade Boggs was one of the best pure hitters to ever play the game. Period.
Shortstop - Johnny Pesky. Mr. Red Sox set the table for great hitters behind him in the lineup. He’s been a legend within the franchise from the first day he put on the uniform.
Left Field - Ted Williams. Was there any doubt? GREATEST HITTER EVER.
Center Field - Fred Lynn. Lynn played center field at Fenway as well as any player could and dominated the league in ’75.
Right Field - Dwight Evans. Speaking of patrolling the outfield, Evans did that to the tune of eight Gold Gloves.
Designated Hitter - David Ortiz. Big Papi’s playoff heroics will forever live on in Red Sox history.
So there is my “All-Fenway Team.” What does yours look like? Tweet me @SkippinsYNN with your choices and go make your official picks here.