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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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BOSTON – OCTOBER 13: Johnny Pesky of the Boston Red Sox looks on before taking on the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the American League Championship Series during the 2008 MLB playoffs at Fenway Park on October 13, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
BOSTON – OCTOBER 13: Johnny Pesky of the Boston Red Sox looks on before taking on the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the American League Championship Series during the 2008 MLB playoffs at Fenway Park on October 13, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Johnny Pesky – No. 6

Known as “Mr. Red Sox,” Pesky spent the first eight seasons of his career in Boston. During that span he hit .313/.401/.393.

Pesky broke into the big leagues in 1942, only to miss the next three years due to military service. After finishing third in AL MVP voting as a rookie, Pesky barely missed a beat after three years away from baseball, collecting another 200+ hit season to finish fourth in the MVP race. He led the league in hits in each of his first three seasons in the majors, topping 200 hits in each of them.

The rest of Pesky’s career couldn’t quite live up to his promising start. He made only one All-Star team, which came in 1946 in his first season since returning from the war. He had very little pop in his bat, hitting only 17 home runs in his career and 13 during his time in Boston.

Pesky was a high-average hitter with a solid glove at the shortstop position, yet was only briefly a star caliber player. He also played in fewer games for the Red Sox than anyone else on this list. He would later return to the organization as a coach and manager, enhancing his case for having his number retired.

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