Boston Red Sox wishes: Players who should have called Fenway home
By Rick McNair
Number Sixteen
Gene Freese
Fenway Park Stats: 12 G, 45 PA, .450/.489/.750, 2 HR, 11 RBI
Fresse was a journeyman ballplayer who was stationed primarily at third base, but the few times I saw him Freese could just zero in on the left field barrier. Freese would have been a doubles machine at Fenway Park and not necessarily a significant home run threat.
Number Fifteen
Jim Wynn
Fenway Park Stats: 4 G, 18 PA, .333/.444/.400, 0 HR, 3 RBI
When the “Toy Cannon” finished up his career it was with two less (far less) spectacular years in the AL. A Mookie Betts like physique, but with extreme power. Three times with 30+ home runs and several All-Star selections. Wynn had an excellent eye at the plate and a compact swing.
Wynn spent most of his career with Houston (1963-73) and that means the Astrodome. How many home runs were “lost” in that spacious graveyard for power hitters?
Number Fourteen
Joe Adcock
Fenway Park Stats: 24 G, 84 PA, .275/.405/.507, 4 HR, 9 RBI
At the end of his career, Adcock spent a few years in the AL and still could hit some long balls. A physically big pull hitter that was a more than a capable player at first base.
Adcock was historically noted for breaking up the best game ever pitched in MLB baseball when he hit a home run against Harvey Haddix who had tossed 12 perfect innings. The home run was actually recorded as a double since confusion on the bases negated the HR.
Adcock played first for the great Braves teams of 1957-58 and was a noted pull hitter with good loft to the ball.
Number Thirteen
Hank Sauer
MLB Stats: 1399 G, 5412 PA, .266/.347/.496, 288 HR, 876 RBI
Wrigley Field is about as close to a Fenway Park style hitter’s paradise as one could get and Sauer played his prime years for the Cubs. In 1952 Sauer won the NL Most Valuable Player Award at age 35.
A few times I saw Sauer play in New York City when he was with the Giants and Sauer actually hit 26 home runs as a forty-year old. A strong and powerfully built hitter who would have loved Fenway Park.