BoSox Injection
Fansided

The best Boston Red Sox player from every era in franchise history

By Chris Tutt

July 04, 2010; Boston, MA, USA; A general view as a large American flag hangs over the green monster before the start of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
July 04, 2010; Boston, MA, USA; A general view as a large American flag hangs over the green monster before the start of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Red Sox OF Ted Williams
CLEVELAND – 1956: (l to r) Outfielder Ted Williams and manager Pinky Higgins of the Boston Red Sox pose on the dugout steps prior to a 1956 season game between the Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Kuntz Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

1941-1960 Red Sox: Ted Williams

If there were to be a title for the greatest Red Sox player of all time, Ted Williams would wear that crown and it wouldn’t even be arguable. To put it in perspective, if Teddy Ball Game didn’t leave to serve in the military, he could very well be the best baseball player to ever live. However, I don’t think that a person out there isn’t grateful for Williams’ service to our country during World War II and the Korean War.

The two-time MVP and 17-time All-Star is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters who ever lived. In 1941, he batted .406 in the regular season at the ripe age of 22. That season he took second in MVP voting which is quite ludicrous.

Williams also holds the all-time record with a .482 on-base percentage. To reach base 35% of the time is a significant feat, but to get on almost half the time? That is ridiculous.

Williams’ impact to baseball, and the Red Sox specifically, is what makes our game so special. Take the 1999 All-Star Game for example. It was almost more so a Ted Williams tribute game than an All-Star game. It is fitting though, considering if there were to be a Ted Williams tribute game, the best players in the whole league would need to be on the field.

Williams’ storybook career ended in 1960, where he was able to pass the torch onto a 21-year-old outfielder from Southampton, New York.

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