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Red Sox: Ranking players who have had numbers retired at Fenway Park

By Sean Penney

Jun 23, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; David Ortiz's number is revealed and officially retired during pre game ceremonies before a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; David Ortiz's number is revealed and officially retired during pre game ceremonies before a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; A view of the former Boston Red Sox player Ted Williams prior to the game of the Houston Astros against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; A view of the former Boston Red Sox player Ted Williams prior to the game of the Houston Astros against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Ted Williams – No. 9

Ted Williams isn’t simply the best player in Red Sox history, he’s arguably the best hitter to ever play the game.

The Splendid Splinter spent his entire 19-year career in Boston, hitting .344 with an MLB record .482 OBP. His 521 home runs places him 20th on the all-time list and gives him the most by a Red Sox hitter (Ortiz surpasses him when accounting for the homers he hit with the Twins).

The 17-time All-Star won six batting titles, led the league in home runs and RBI four times and walks eight times. He won the Triple Crown twice, including once in 1947 when he somehow didn’t win the MVP.

Williams spent three years of his prime away from baseball to serve in the military. When he returned in 1946, all he did was hit .342 with a 1.164 OPS to earn the first of two career MVP awards. Imagine what his career numbers would have looked like if he hadn’t missed those three seasons!

The 130.4 fWAR that Williams compiled over his career ranks eighth on the all-time list and leads all Red Sox players by a mile. He ranks second in MLB history with a 188 wRC+ and .493 wOBA.

Next: Top 5 David Ortiz moments

David Ortiz was a prolific slugger who made a name for himself by coming through in the clutch when it mattered most, but when it comes to great hitting there is no topping Teddy Ballgame.

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