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Boston Red Sox top five home run hitters in franchise history

By Sean Penney

Boston Red Sox David Ortiz (R) is congratulated his solo homer by teammate Manny Ramirez in the top of the first innings against Japan's Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game in the Tokyo Dome on March 22, 2008.The Boston Red Sox managed a narrow 6-5 victory against Tigers in an exhibition game here, days ahead of the official season opening games against the Oakland Athletics. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox David Ortiz (R) is congratulated his solo homer by teammate Manny Ramirez in the top of the first innings against Japan's Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game in the Tokyo Dome on March 22, 2008.The Boston Red Sox managed a narrow 6-5 victory against Tigers in an exhibition game here, days ahead of the official season opening games against the Oakland Athletics. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Manny Ramirez

The affable Manny Ramirez was known primarily for doing two things – his bizarre antics and demolishing opposing pitching staffs.

Manny ranks 15th on MLB’s all-time home run list with 555. He tallied 274 during his time in Boston, placing him sixth in franchise history. Yes, that’s over 100 fewer than Dewey Evans hit with the Red Sox but Ramirez did it in fewer than half as many plate appearances.

Ramirez spent eight of his 19 career seasons with the Red Sox, joining the team as a marquee free-agent signing as the peak of his career was taking off. He was an All-Star in each of those seasons and topped 40 homers in three of them, including a league-leading 43 in 2004.

Looking beyond the lofty home run totals, the advanced metrics back up Manny’s reputation as an elite power hitter. His .276 ISO, .588 slugging percentage and 154 wRC+ during his years with the Red Sox all rank in the top five in franchise history.

Not all home runs are created equal and the postseason is where they carry the most weight. Ramirez is MLB’s all-time leader with 29 postseason home runs, 11 of which came with the Red Sox on the way to winning two World Series titles.

A pair of failed drug tests late in his career soiled his legacy, leaving us to question how many of those home runs were chemically enhanced. That damages his case but not enough to drop him off the list. It’s fair to assume he was clean for part of his career since he only got caught near the end and Ramirez was undoubtedly among the most feared sluggers of his day.

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