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Red Sox History: The unsung hero from every pennant-winning team

By Daniel Fox

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 09: A general view of Fenway Park with the 9 World Series pennant logos before the home opener between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 09: A general view of Fenway Park with the 9 World Series pennant logos before the home opener between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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DENVER – OCTOBER 27: Jacob Ellsbury #46 of the Boston Red Sox hits a RBI double in the top of the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies during Game Three of the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series at Coors Field on October 27, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
DENVER – OCTOBER 27: Jacob Ellsbury #46 of the Boston Red Sox hits a RBI double in the top of the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies during Game Three of the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series at Coors Field on October 27, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

2007: Jacoby Ellsbury

Jacoby Ellsbury’s career in Boston was anything but under-the-radar. The centerfielder led the MLB in stolen bases three times, including a franchise-record 70 in 2009. The highlight of his career was his incredible 2011 season, where he hit .321 with 32 home runs and finished runner-up in the MVP voting to Justin Verlander.

Before Ellsbury was a bonafide superstar, however, he was a little-known rookie on the 2007 World Series championship team. Ellsbury was called up in June when starting center fielder Coco Crisp was placed on the DL, going 6-16 in a short, five-game cup of coffee.

He got a more extended look when rosters expanded in September and batted .361 with eight stolen bases. With the Red Sox winning the division by just two games, Ellsbury’s contributions were a key reason they were able to hold off the Yankees.

Despite his great September, Ellsbury was back on the bench when the playoffs started. Yet when Crisp batted just .161 and the Red Sox fell behind 3-2 to the Indians, manager Terry Francona put Ellsbury in the starting lineup. The rookie scored three runs in the final two games, and the Red Sox stormed past the Indians to another World Series.

Ellsbury was even better in the World Series against the Rockies. Inserted into the leadoff spot when the series moved to Colorado, Ellsbury collected four hits in a 10-5 victory in Game 3, becoming just the third rookie ever to accomplish that feat in a World Series. He got two more hits in a Game 4 victory, and the Red Sox closed out the Rockies in 4.

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