But the original “idiot” - we say that endearingly, of course - was instrumental in the ’04 title.ĩ.
Johnny Damon (2003-05) - Leaving the Red Sox for the Yankees was a questionable move. A batting title and a Silver Slugger award in 2003. Bill Mueller (2003-05) - So underrated in the grand scheme of Red Sox history.
Kevin Millar (2003-05) - You can’t think about the 2003 or 2004 Red Sox without acknowledging Millar, an outspoken leader who coined the phrase “Cowboy Up.” You just can’t.ħ. Trot Nixon (2003-06) - The original “dirt dog.” Of course he’s on the list.Ħ. He was a star when Ortiz arrived and Boston fans should have nothing but love for the shortstop.Ĥ.
2016 boston red sox roster series#
Nomar Garciaparra (2003-04) - Yes, the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series after trading Garciaparra midseason. Pedro Martinez (2003-04) - Only played two seasons together, but Martinez basically was responsible from bringing Ortiz to Boston - en route to Cooperstown.ģ. A dominant force in his own right, whom Ortiz fit next to perfectly as a left-handed complement.Ģ. Manny Ramirez (2003-08) - The other half of the Red Sox’s two-headed offensive monster. (The years in parentheses indicate when each player was teammates with Ortiz in Boston.)ġ. That Ortiz played (and thrived) alongside Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez (stars of the mid- to late-1990s) as well as Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts (contemporary studs) is rather mind-blowing. But also to showcase the mini eras that seemed to emerge within Ortiz’s run of dominance. The overarching goal: Good, clean fun, first and foremost. In other words, when you think of Ortiz’s time in Boston, you might also think of these dudes. Now, let’s perform a similar exercise for Ortiz, this time going more chronologically - as opposed to impact-based - to essentially highlight the 34 players most synonymous with the slugger’s Red Sox career. 45 - with rankings based on an inexact, non-scientific system that took into account each player’s peak performance, value, years of service and intangibles, among other difficult-to-describe factors. We’re talking about some really good players - legends, in some instances - and yet Ortiz stood tall as the face that ran the place.īack when Pedro Martinez entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, we broke down the top 45 Red Sox players of his tenure (1998-2004) - in honor of his No. To truly assess the magnitude of Ortiz’s contributions, one must look no further than the names who shuffled through Boston between 20. He, in many ways, was and is the culture. The Red Sox’s identity changed multiple times throughout Ortiz’s 14-year run in Boston, from the lovable “idiots” of 2004 to the “bearded brothers” of 2013 and beyond. The franchise shattered the notion it couldn’t win on baseball’s big stage, establishing itself as a perennial championship contender, and Ortiz was at the center of that dramatic transformation, all while other pieces continued to shift around him. By the time he retired in 2016, the Red Sox had added three World Series banners to the right-field façade (2004, 20). Just think, Ortiz arrived in Boston in 2003 - to very little fanfare, in fact - with the “Curse of the Bambino” very much intact. No player in Red Sox history has been more influential or important as Big Papi. The guy literally changed Major League Baseball history with a few swings of the bat.īut step back for a 30,000-foot view and you’ll realize Ortiz’s longevity, and ability to perform at an elite level for such a prolonged period, speaks to his accepted place in Boston lore.
2016 boston red sox roster free#
Sox Transactions, Trades, and Free Agentsĭavid Ortiz’s Hall of Fame career will be remembered for the singular moments as much as the overall body of work.These 34 Red Sox Teammates Highlight David Ortiz's Long-Lasting Legacy
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