BoSox Injection
Fansided

Boston Red Sox best rookies in franchise history at each position

By Rick McNair

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 05: The sun sets behind Fenway Park during the second inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins on September 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 05: The sun sets behind Fenway Park during the second inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins on September 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO – JULY 13: Hall of Fame catcher (2003 inductee) Gary Carter talks to Hall of Fame catcher (2000) Carlton Fisk before the All Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game on July 13, 2003 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO – JULY 13: Hall of Fame catcher (2003 inductee) Gary Carter talks to Hall of Fame catcher (2000) Carlton Fisk before the All Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game on July 13, 2003 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Catcher

This is one that every reasonable Red Sox fan would know right off – Carlton Fisk. Fisk was all you wanted in a backstop – hitting for average, power, defense, leadership, and handling the pitching staff. Fisk had it all right out of the gate and was the 1972 ROY, an All-Star, and Gold Glove winner. The .293 batting average also produced a league-leading nine triples, 22 home runs, and 61 RBI.

Fisk managed to survive a devastating knee injury in 1974 that required reconstructive surgery. Then came the 1975 World Series and that notable Game Six and his famous home run.

Then it came to an end thanks to a former Red Sox catcher, Haywood Sullivan, who had taken charge of the team. Sullivan mailed out a contract too late and Fisk was on the open market and signed with the White Sox for whom he played more games than with the Red Sox. A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Honorable Mention: Either Rich Gedman (.288/5/26) or Jason Varitek (.252/7/33) who both played solid defense and contributed offensively. Both went on to have a solid Boston career.

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