Joe Cronin – No. 4
If we were to factor in the impact these players had on Major League Baseball, Cronin may deserve a higher ranking. He spent 24 years in the Red Sox organization as a player, manager and general manager. He also became the first modern-day player to become a league president. His 1071 wins as a manager are the most in franchise history and he led the Red Sox to the pennant in 1946.
Cronin came to Boston in 1935 after seven years in Washington and two in Pittsburgh, serving as both a player and manager. He was selected to the All-Star team in five of his first sevens seasons with the Red Sox, finishing as high as seventh on the MVP ballot on two occasions.
Cronin hit .300 with an .878 OPS over 11 seasons in Boston. He brought a bit more power to the shortstop position than Pesky did, but couldn’t match his glove in the field. Once Pesky arrived, Cronin’s days at shortstop were numbered.
The 30.1 fWAR he compiled with the Red Sox ranks 20th among hitters in franchise history. It’s also the lowest among the players who have had their number retired. Cronin’s number hangs in right field at Fenway for what he did as a manager as much as what he did as a player.