Ranking the Red Sox shortstops
By Rick McNair
Number Four – Rick Burleson
There was one player that Red Sox fans of the 1970s universally worshiped for his skill, grittiness, competitiveness and fiery personality – Rick Burleson or “The Rooster.” A shortstop who for three years teamed with Denny Doyle to form one slick double-play duo. Later Jerry Remy joined as Rooster’s DP partner.
With Boston, Rooster made three All-Star teams and won a Gold Glove. With the Angels it was a Silver Slugger and another All-Star nod. The Boston stat line was .274/.328/.361 with some punch in his seven Red Sox seasons hitting 38 home runs and 380 RBI from mostly his number two slot in the batting order.
Rooster was a smooth defensive player capable of turning two and covering his right and left with equal precision. What stood out was the arm. The 5’ 10” 165 pound Rooster possessed an absolute howitzer and to this observer his arm was as strong as any infielder I have seen.
With Tom Yawkey gone the Yawkey Trust was in charge of the team and some decisions were made that took the club two steps back rather than one forward. Burleson wanted to be paid what he felt was comparable for his contributions and GM Haywood Sullivan solved the issue by trading Rooster to the Angels in a deal that eventually proved beneficial to Boston.