Top Five Red Sox Players Not in the Baseball Hall of Fame

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Apr 15, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; The number 42 hangs on the right field wall along with other numbers retired by the Boston Red Sox in honor of Jackie Robinson during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Number Four: Johnny Pesky

The great Johnny Pesky is the only player to have his number retired by the Red Sox and is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame. That’s because Number 6 spent over six decades as an integral part of Red Sox Nation, earning the love of fans spanning generations. However, what many people do not realize is that he had a great career in his own right, and is one of the greatest “what ifs?” in Red Sox history.

During his rookie season in 1942, Pesky led the American League in hits with 205, and finished third in MVP voting. The young infielder’s future in Major League Baseball seemed to be bright; and with stars like Pesky and Dom DiMaggio, and future hall of famers Ted Williams and Joe Cronin, the future of the Red Sox seemed even brighter. However, in the prime of his career, Pesky, like so many other players, left Major League Baseball, and served in the Navy for three seasons during World War II.

Had Pesky not made the ultimate sacrifice, who knows how good his numbers would have been? During his return season in 1946, Pesky once again led the league in hits with 208, and again in 1947 with 207. One of the best contact hitters of his day, Pesky retired after only ten seasons in 1954, with 1455 hits. It’s not a stretch to say that had Pesky not gone off the fight, he would have recorded well over 2,000 career hits. During six of his seven and half seasons with the Red Sox, Pesky batted over .300 and earning an All Star selection in 1946. His stats and service speak volumes, and make him one of the greatest Red Sox players not in the Hall of Fame.

Next: Dwight Evans

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