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Former Red Sox listed among ESPN’s top 100 MLB players of all time

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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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 /

Many of the all-time greats have played for the Boston Red Sox

ESPN recently unveiled their ranking of the top 100 MLB players of all time, a list that includes several players who wore a Boston Red Sox uniform.

Success is often defined by winning championships. Boston captured five World Series titles within the first two decades of their existence followed by an 86-year draught. The 2004 Red Sox reversed the curse to win the first of four championships in the last two decades, more than any other franchise since the turn of the century.

The top 100 list features players from both eras but it also includes plenty of talent from the decades in between. Some of the best players in franchise history never won a championship but their production was too prolific to leave off this list.

Since our focus is on the storied history of the Red Sox, I intentionally excluded those who spent only a brief time with this franchise. We can overlook that Rickey Henderson, Tom Seaver and John Smoltz spent one season in Boston near the end of their careers. Let’s forget that the Red Sox should have kept Adrian Beltre for more than one year.

We’re sticking with the players who made a significant impact on this franchise to help earn them a spot on this top 100 list.

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