Boston Red Sox: Best pitchers who could hit in franchise history
By Rick McNair
Red Sox – Shortstop
The shortstop is certainly questionable but the way Wes Ferrell could hit would make little difference as what was lost on defense would come back on offense. Ferrell was one the best hitting pitchers -maybe the best – of all-time. A right-handed hitter with notable power and often sent in to pinch-hit in his career that spanned 15 seasons and a 193-128 career record from the mound.
Ferrell pitched four seasons with Boston and led the AL with 25 wins in 1935 and three times in complete games. With the bat, Ferrell hit .308 with 17 home runs in those four seasons. For his career, Ferrell slammed 38 home runs and that tops all pitchers. Four times with the Red Sox Ferrell hit two home runs in a game. Ferrell once had a four-hit and six RBI game for the Red Sox and also hit a grand slam the same season.
Ferrell four times led all pitchers in home runs for a season including a record nine for a pitcher in 1931 while Ferrell tossed for the Indians. He also holds with George Uhle the record of most hits in a season by a pitcher with 52. And RBI? The most in a season by a pitcher is 32 RBI and Mr. Ferrell is the owner of that record in 1935 and that broke the previous record Ferrell had established at 30 in 1931. Ferrell also has the second-highest one season slugging percentage at .621 only topped by Don Newcombe’s .632.
When Ferrell’s MLB days were finished he returned to the minors to continue his dual role and in 1948 at 40-years-old hit .425 with 24 home runs for Marion in the Western Carolina League. As a side note, he formed a brother tandem with catcher Rick Ferrell who played 19 seasons and managed to outhit Wes .281 to .280, but not out homer him. However, Rick is in the Baseball Hall of Fame and Wes is not.