Bobby Doerr
Year Inducted: 1986 (Veterans Committee)
Bobby Doerr spent his entire 14-year career with the Red Sox, missing one season in 1945 due to military service.
Doerr debuted as a 19-year old kid in 1937 and made his first of nine All-Star appearances four years later. He hit .288/.362/.461 for his career.
His best statistical season was in 1944, the year before he took time off to serve in the military. Doerr hit .325, led the league with a .528 slugging percentage and finished seventh in MVP voting.
His production dropped off a bit after missing a year but that was the case for most players who went off to fight in the war. Despite a bit of regression from his career year, Doerr finished third in the MVP race.
Doerr’s only trip to the postseason was a successful one despite the Red Sox falling short in six games to the St. Louis Cardinals. He hit .406 with a home run in three RBI in that World Series.
A late-career power surge saw Doerr hit a career-high 27 home runs in 1948. He matched that total two years later while also leading the league with 11 triples.
Spinal issues derailed the end of his career and forced Doerr to retire at the age of 33.
Doerr ranks sixth among position players in franchise history with 53.3 fWAR.
The Red Sox retired Doerr’s No. 1 at Fenway where it’s displayed on the right-field facade.