Boston Red Sox: Ranking the top 10 players from the 1990s

16 Oct 1999: Boston Red Sox celebrate during the ALCS game three against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 13-1. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
16 Oct 1999: Boston Red Sox celebrate during the ALCS game three against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 13-1. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /
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1 May 1994: Third baseman Tim Naehring of the Boston Red Sox in action during a game against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
1 May 1994: Third baseman Tim Naehring of the Boston Red Sox in action during a game against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

Tim Naehring

We’re now getting beyond guys who were stars or borderline stars and into those who were mainly just solid players. Tim Naehring fits that bill, spending his entire career (1990-1997) with the Red Sox. After playing sporadically at the beginning of his career, he became the Red Sox everyday third baseman in 1995 and held the position down until 1997.

In 1997, Naehring was having the best season of his career and was hitting .286 with 9 home runs and 40 RBI through the first half of the season before a shoulder season derailed him. He ended up retiring after the season and was replaced at third base by John Valentin (who had moved from shortstop to second base in 1996 upon the arrival of Nomar Garciaparra).

For his career, Naehring hit .282 with 49 home runs and 250 RBI. He was a big contributor to the 1995 team that won the AL East and made it to the postseason. During that year, he hit .307 with 10 home runs and 57 RBI. He was also a solid defender at third base, compiling a career .962 fielding percentage while only committing 33 errors in his eight seasons.