Red Sox: David Ortiz highlights expected additions to 2022 Hall of Fame ballot
By Sean Penney
A former Red Sox closer warrants Hall of Fame consideration
Jonathan Papelbon will be an interesting case when he joins the ballot. The former Red Sox closer ranks ninth on the all-time career saves list with 368 and his 19.3 fWAR is tied for 14th among relief pitchers. Papelbon’s 2.45 ERA is the 12th-best among relievers with 200+ career innings.
Papelbon spent his first seven seasons in Boston where he established himself as one of the game’s most dominant closers. He won a World Series ring in 2007, notching four saves during that flawless playoff run, and he owned a sparkling 1.00 ERA in 27 career postseason innings.
The franchise’s all-time saves leader has the credentials to be enshrined in the Red Sox Hall of Fame but getting the call to Cooperstown will be a bit tougher.
Billy Wagner, who spent a brief stint in Boston at the end of his career, made an encouraging leap from 31.7% to 46.4% on this year’s ballot but remains well short of the 75% required for induction. Wagner has Papelbon beat in most of the significant pitching categories. Papelbon might eventually get in but he certainly shouldn’t get there before Wagner.