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Red Sox: Is this year’s outfield as good as ’75?

By Chris Embree

May 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox hall of famers Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski stand in left field as part of the pregame ceremony before the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox hall of famers Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski stand in left field as part of the pregame ceremony before the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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So which collective outfield is better?

Even though I was not around to see them play, I personally think that the ’75 Red Sox outfield was better than this year’s Red Sox outfield. It’s a tough call to make.

Offensively I think ’75 outfield just barely edges out this year’s outfield. There are arguments for both sides, but I think the ’75 trio had better and more consistent averages and hit for more power. This is still taking into account Benintendi’s projected numbers.

Lynn, Rice, and Evans also hit 4-5-6 for most of the season. They made up the heart of the order and thrived there. Mookie Betts was the only one of the new trio to thrive in the top/middle of the order. Even though Jackie Bradley ended the year hitting 6th, his numbers were much better hitting 9th, and Benintendi almost primarily hit 9th.

Defensively I also believe that the ’75 outfield is better than this year’s outfield. Bradley is great and Mookie won a Gold Glove, but Fred Lynn also won a Gold Glove and Dwight Evans should have too. They didn’t really need a left fielder because they were so good.

I think there is a strong argument either way, but I ultimately think that the 1975 outfield was better. That being said, this year’s outfield is still very good and has the long-term potential to be just as good, or better, than the legendary trio of Fred Lynn, Jim Rice, and Dwight Evans. Hopefully, Betts, Bradley, and Benintendi will remain Red Sox for many years to come.

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