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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 3B Wade Boggs
BOSTON, MA – CIRCA 1986: Wade Boggs #26 of the Boston Red Sox bats during an Major League baseball game circa 1986 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Boggs played for the Red Sox from 1982-92. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs

Wade Boggs was a different type of hitter than most of the stars in his day. While many hitters were aiming to knock the ball out of the park, Boggs’ only concern was with getting on base. His goal for every plate appearance was to avoid an out and he did so as well as anyone.

Boggs won five batting titles during his 11 seasons in Boston and led the league in on-base percentage six times. He’s second in franchise history with a .338 average and third with a .428 OBP.

He rarely cracked double-digits in home runs but just to prove he was capable, Boggs smacked a career-high 24 homers in 1987. The power surge didn’t come at the expense of getting on base since he still won a batting title while also leading the league with a .461 OBP and 1.049 OPS.

While homers weren’t a big part of his game, Boggs racked up doubles at an elite rate. He hit 40+ doubles in seven consecutive seasons, leading the league twice, including in 1989 when he tallied a career-high 51 doubles.

Boggs made eight consecutive All-Star appearances and won six Silver Sluggers during his time in Boston. The lack of power prevents him from cracking the top-five on this list but in terms of pure hitting with a swing designed to find base hits, Boggs was one of the best to ever do it.

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