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Boston Red Sox: 10 greatest hitters in franchise history

By Sean Penney

Boston Red Sox David Ortiz (R) is congratulated his solo homer by teammate Manny Ramirez in the top of the first innings against Japan's Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game in the Tokyo Dome on March 22, 2008.The Boston Red Sox managed a narrow 6-5 victory against Tigers in an exhibition game here, days ahead of the official season opening games against the Oakland Athletics. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox David Ortiz (R) is congratulated his solo homer by teammate Manny Ramirez in the top of the first innings against Japan's Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game in the Tokyo Dome on March 22, 2008.The Boston Red Sox managed a narrow 6-5 victory against Tigers in an exhibition game here, days ahead of the official season opening games against the Oakland Athletics. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Red Sox OF Jim Rice
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1977: Outfielder Jim Rice #14 of the Boston Red Sox bats during an Major League Baseball game circa 1977. Rice Played for the Red Sox from 1974-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Red Sox outfielder Jim Rice

Jim Rice spent his entire 16-year Hall of Fame career with the Red Sox, earning eight All-Star appearances and a pair of Silver Sluggers.

Rice broke out with a stellar rookie season, hitting .309 with 22 home runs and 102 RBI to finish as the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year and third on the MVP ballot. He was overshadowed by teammate Fred Lynn, who captured both awards in that 1975 season, but Rice would go on to have the more dominant career at the plate.

Rice’s career .298 batting average falls outside of the top-30 in franchise history but he was among the league’s best hitters at his peak, topping .300 seven times.

His 382 home runs are fourth-most in franchise history. Rice led the league in homers three times, including a career-high 46 during his MVP campaign in 1978. He also led the league with 213 hits, 15 triples, a .600 SLG and .970 OPS that season.

Jim Ed led the league in slugging twice and he’s one of only nine hitters with 3500+ career plate appearances with the Red Sox to produce a .500+ SLG.

Rice began to decline rapidly in his mid-30s but still had at least a decade of his prime where he was an elite player who won an MVP and finished top-five on the ballot six times.

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