First Base
The “Boomer” holds down first base and that is right-handed-hitting George Scott. Scott was physically intimidating but around the bag, he was quite smooth winning eight Gold Glove Awards in his career.
That career began with a bang, hitting 27 home runs and driving in 90 RBI in 1966. Scott – a free swinger – also led the AL in whiffs (152). In 1967, he hit .303 with 19 home runs. In 1968, Scott had one of the worse seasons I have witnessed, hitting just.171 with no power or run production. A match for the awful 2018 of Chris Davis.
More from Red Sox History
- Two notable Red Sox anniversaries highlight current organizational failures
- Contemporary Era Committee doesn’t elect any former Red Sox to Hall of Fame
- Johnny Damon calls Red Sox out, reveals hilarious way he skirted Yankees’ grooming policy
- Remembering the best Red Sox Thanksgiving ever
- Red Sox World Series legends headline 2023 Hall of Fame ballot
Scott swung a big bat he called “Black Beauty” and wore a batting helmet on defense. His huge necklace was another accouterment that he was noted for. Scott was a jovial type and would often interact with the fans while he was sequestered at first base. Colorful, jovial, and a player and fan favorite.
Scott had two tours of duty with Boston. The first ended when Scott was traded to the Brewers and then a return to Boston in 1977 when Scott made the All-Star team and hit 33 home runs. And Scott’s home runs were not cheap – this guy could put the hammer down. Scott is also in the Red Sox Hall of Fame.
Honorable Mention: As good as Scott was with the glove the opposite was a right-handed egotist Dick Stuart. Stuart could hit the ball a long way and kick it even longer when in the field. Quite possibly the worse defensive player I have ever seen, but I’ll include him but give the real honors to another holdover from the 1950s and that is lefty-hitting Pete Runnels who won two batting titles with the Red Sox.