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Red Sox History: A historical look at feast or famine at third base

By Rick McNair

Jul 13, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; American League third baseman Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox (11) laughs during the first inning against the American League during the 2021 MLB All Star Game at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 13, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; American League third baseman Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox (11) laughs during the first inning against the American League during the 2021 MLB All Star Game at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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BOSTON, MA – CIRCA 1965: Zoilo Versalles #2 of the Minnesota Twins completes the double-play throwing over the top of Frank Malzone #11 of the Boston Red Sox during an Major League baseball game circa 1965 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Boggs played for the Washington Senators/Twins from 1959-67. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – CIRCA 1965: Zoilo Versalles #2 of the Minnesota Twins completes the double-play throwing over the top of Frank Malzone #11 of the Boston Red Sox during an Major League baseball game circa 1965 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Boggs played for the Washington Senators/Twins from 1959-67. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Red Sox disappointments at third base

Red Sox history has been littered with remarkable third basemen and others not so impressive. I am old enough to have dim memories of George Kell, who has been enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. There is Wade Boggs and now Rafael Devers for the more current fans. There have been batting champions other than Boggs – Bill Mueller and Carney Lansford are stashed in my memory banks.

In the 1950s and 1960s, there was steady Frank Malzone. Steady defense and predictable hitting. A six-time American League All-Star and a Gold Glove Award winner. For a good portion of my Red Sox history, I have noted third base – the hot corner – has had its fair share of cornering the market on disappointment.

As noted many times, I thank SABR. Here is a brief memories profile of players who could have had their numbers retired.

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