Apr 21, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park prior to the game between the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
The Red Sox have had many great players over the years, but some who simply found Fenway Park a hitters paradise never played for Boston.
Was in Boston sportscaster Bob Lobell that coined the expression “Why can’t we get guys like this?” That is often the lament of Boston Red Sox fans as a personal devil comes to Fenway Park to obliterate our pitching. Just imagine what they would do playing 81 games or 77 games “back in the day” each season at Fenway?
Occasionally all the baseball stars align and circumstances bring one to Boston at various stages of their careers. Jimmie Foxx came to Boston thanks to a depression that made the Athletics cash-strapped. Vern Stephens puts up some prodigious numbers when acquired by trade from the St. Louis Browns. Jackie Jensen was an afterthought that won an MVP Award in Boston.
Through the years, I have seen many players who I felt would absolutely sparkle in Fenway Park. Sometimes you get a dud in Dick Stuart, who would give all back and more on defense. Maybe a Rudy York, who had some decent, but not spectacular years left when he arrived. Jose Canseco even put up a two nice seasons in Boston. And all those Manny Ramirez years can clearly demonstrate what a power bat – especially a right-handed one is capable of accomplishing. Thankfully, we missed out on the ultimate drama queen – Alex Rodriguez.
There is a substantial list of players who anyone would want anywhere, such as Henry Aaron,Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Hank Greenberg and Ernie Banks. I will admittedly be selective and leave off some obvious choices and actually put in some other obvious choices and some that will require a mad rush to Google. Some of it is my ingrained observational prejudices.
The list will not contain any active players. I would certainly enjoy seeing the heart of the Toronto Blue Jays hitting away at Fenway Park an entire season. Mike Trout can play anywhere and anytime for Boston. The welcome mat is out. The list is also strictly from the right side. This is Fenway Park, folks! Although I was tempted to add Wally Moon and his “Moon Shots.”
Of course, some of the players I will list are high maintenance baseball miscreants whom one would wish to avoid, but they could flat-out hit. Many provided real justification for getting to the park early to watch batting practice. A few never made it to Fenway Park or the visit was brief – usually at the end of a career – but one can always dream. Here is my personal “Sweet Sixteen.”
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.
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.
A rather silent member of The Big Red Machine would do nothing on his lone visit to Fenway Park in the World Series of 1975, but the former MVP could hit.
I saw Foster several times at NL parks and often wondered how he would respond to the bulk of his career at Fenway? Foster was a line drive hitter who did utilize the entire field, so that may have been a slight wall disadvantage.
Number Eleven
Dick Allen Fenway Park Stats: 17 G, 67 PA, .279/.328/.508, 3 HR, 13 RBI
A notoriously surly individual who was a prolific line drive hitter. When traded to the AL Allen (“Don’t call me Richie”) promptly won an MVP Award. Allen also was an NL Rookie of the Year winner with the Phillies and a multiple All-Star who led the AL in home runs twice.
Allen had many incidents in Philadelphia prior to being traded including brawls with teammates, verbal incidents with the notorious abusive Philly fans, fines by management and actually wearing a batting helmet in the outfield as Philly fans would shower Allen with various items.
Allen would have been interesting at Fenway since he was a line drive machine. I can visualize many balls being wall singles or doubles that would have been long gone elsewhere. Another player who was worth admission to see in batting practice.
Number Ten
Albert Belle Fenway Park Stats: 58 G, 257 PA, .262/.367/.532, 17 HR, 55 RBI
A more dysfunctional player would be difficult to locate, but “Mr. Freeze” could hit and hit with power. In 12 seasons “Joey” hit 389 home runs and hit .295. The Fenway crowd loved to taunt Belle who was a verbal target just about everywhere he played.
Belle would put on displays in batting practice with line drives to all parts of Fenway. Belle was a hitter who could use the field and use it with power. His career ended at age 33 as the result of osteoarthritis.
Gary Sheffield Fenway Park Stats: 51 G, 225 PA, .307/.382/.497, 7 HR, 29 RBI
Played all over the diamond and for eight different teams. As hard a swing as you will ever see and a line drive hitter supreme. With 509 home runs and 1676 career RBI you have an idea of what Sheff did his entire career.
Sheffield would also put on a display in batting practice that would leave fans mesmerized with the way balls jumped off his bat. Players shagging balls would have to pay attention since a rocket could be coming your way.
Number Eight
Ralph Kiner Fenway Park Stats: 9 G, 32 PA, .370/.438/.741, 3 HR, 6 RBI
Kiner finished up his HOF career with the White Sox and I saw him hit one out at Fenway in 1955. By then the 32-year-old Kiner was playing on memory since his back woes would drive him into an early retirement.
“Home run hitters drive Cadillac’s and singles hitters drive Fords.” Was supposed to be credited to Kiner who led the NL in home runs for seven consecutive years while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Even though the Pirates had shortened left field at Forbes Field for Hank Greenberg – yet it still remained a considerable distance. In his prime, Kiner may have broken Ruth’s single season home run record if he played at Fenway Park.
Number Seven
Gorman Thomas Fenway Park Stats: 71 G, 271 PA, .230/.325/.494, 16 HR, 39 RBI
A fan favorite at Fenway Park when he would be stationed in center field and jabber with the bleacher mob. You could not get under this guy’s skin and the fans loved him. I saw a fan toss him a ball Thomas had hit out and Gorman signed it and tossed it back.
Thomas twice led the AL in home runs and finished his career with a dismal .225 career batting average. Gorman could also rack up strike outs with relative ease and twice led the AL. But “Stormin’ Gorman” was an exceptional fielder with a strong and accurate arm. As a hitter, he had that great loft to the ball that was perfect for Fenway Park.
Number Six
Dave Kingman Fenway Park Stats: 20 G, 84 PA, .276/.345/.816, 13 HR, 21 RBI
Yes – that Kingman, but look at that Fenway stat line. Twice Kingman – a career .236 hitter – led the league in home runs and three times in strike outs. In his last season as a 37-year-old Kingman hit 35 home runs for Oakland and was not brought back to MLB. A .210 average and a pile of K’s did not help.
Kingman hit towering home runs. He hit a moon shot type ball that would sail into the evening and dent cars in the parking garage beyond left field. Kingman put on a show at Fenway and if you extrapolate those numbers he may have hit 40 at Fenway.
Frank Howard Fenway Park Stats: 73 G, 301 PA, .291/.365/.549, 18 HR, 45 RBI
There are players who are large and then there is the listed 6’7” and 255 pound Howard. This was one fearsome dude with a bat in his hand. Some monstrous home runs are noted on parks that have now all vanish except for Fenway and Wrigley. The light tower that connects to the bleacher area of Fenway? I saw Howard hit one about thirty feet up into that structure.
Howard twice led the AL in home runs, was a Rookie of the Year with the Dodgers and made the All-Star team several times. At Fenway Mr. Howard would have been impressive to both watch and tally the results.
Pure pull hitter who would put on a show in batting practice and then carry it over to the game. Once led the AL in home runs and was then traded for the AL batting champion Harvey Kuenn. Three times hit 40+ home runs and became a multiple All-Star.
Colavito possessed one of – if not – the strongest and most accurate arm in baseball from his normal right field position. Actually pitched 5.2 innings in his career. Colavito’s best years were over by the time he was age 32, but in his best days with the Indians, he just feasted at Fenway.
Another first baseman who was big, strong and would just consider Red Sox pitching like a pack of ravenous seagulls would view a landfill. Nicknamed “Ozark Ike” big Gus would carry over his batting practice show to the game. This was one very strong humanoid. Once led AL in home runs.
Number Two
Roy Sievers Fenway Park Stats: 110 G, 487 PA, .327/.417/.589, 25 HR, 87 RBI
I have no idea why the Red Sox never traded to get Sievers? If there was a way to torture a Red Sox staff it was Sievers up with runners on. A former Rookie of the Year when he broke in with the St. Louis Browns. Once led the AL in home runs. A multiple All-Star.
Sievers had tremendous power to left-center and that appeared to be his primary target area at Fenway. Underrated defender.
A member of the Hall of Fame and a lifetime .256 hitter who had a career .316 at Fenway Park. A pure pull hitter who would hit home runs in bunches and it seemed Fenway often became the special parking place for Killebrew, who hit his most road home runs at Fenway Park.
Of all the hitters I have ever wanted to be at Fenway the “Killer” is on the top of the list. I use to love to see the Twins come into town with that loaded lineup and Harmon was the centerpiece. Batting practice was as enjoyable as the game and Killebrew would not disappoint with a series of towering home runs well over the screen in LF.
Harmon actually made his MLB début as a 17-year-old and bounced between the minors and Washington for the next four years before establishing himself as a regular and leading the AL in home runs and making the All-Star team as a third baseman. Killebrew also became an MVP in 1969 with the Twins.
Killebrew played 22 seasons and hit 573 home runs. That home run total might have been considerably higher if he had played at Fenway Park. So put “The Killer” on the very pinnacle of my Fenway Park wish list. That swing and the ability to loft the ball – Fenway Perfect! Sources: Baseball-Reference
