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Boston Red Sox Memories: My all decade 1950’s Red Sox team

By Rick McNair

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: A general view of the Fenway Park faced after the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays was postponed due to rain at Fenway Park on April 26, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: A general view of the Fenway Park faced after the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays was postponed due to rain at Fenway Park on April 26, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK – 1955: Infielder Billy Klaus of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait prior to a game in the 1955 against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. 55-720075 (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – 1955: Infielder Billy Klaus of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait prior to a game in the 1955 against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. 55-720075 (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

Shortstop

Shortstop in the bulk of the 1950s for the Red Sox was a dead zone – a baseball Chernobyl. Many were called to duty and many failed with the most notable failure being Don Buddin – a no field and no-hit player whose aversion to collecting ground balls with efficiency was sorely lacking. I remember far too many games lost with errant throws or routine grounders juggled like a circus clown.

The Red Sox spent money on bonus babies and had talented young players who never excelled – Billy Consolo, Ted Lepcio, Milt Bolling, Buddin and the one I choose is a left-hand hitter picked up from the Giants – Billy Klaus. Klaus played 297 games at short for the Red Sox and had actually played briefly for the Boston Braves in 1952.

In 1955 Klaus joined the Red Sox and finished second in Rookie of The Year balloting after hitting a solid .283 with 60 RBI. A gritty competitor who had the physical appearance of Dustin Pedroia. Klaus put in four seasons in Boston hitting .262 before being traded Baltimore. A real fireplug in the infield at second, third, or short.

Honorable Mention: Bolling. This could be a pick ‘em with Buddin since neither could hit or field, but Bolling hit .247 and Buddin .244 so I give the edge to Bolling.

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