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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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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 14: Tim Naehring #11 of the Boston Red Sox fields a goundball during a baseball game against the New York Yankees on April 14, 1994 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 14: Tim Naehring #11 of the Boston Red Sox fields a goundball during a baseball game against the New York Yankees on April 14, 1994 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Red Sox have future Little Fenway Park at third base

Just who is Tim Naehring? A baseball executive with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees was a post-playing career, but Naehring was also an eighth-round Red Sox draft pick (1988). The right-hand hitting Naehring was a pivotal contributor to the Red Sox that finished first in the American League East in 1995.

Naehring’s contribution was solid defense at third base, a .307 batting average, and ten home runs. This was a breakthrough season for Naehring after making the Pawtucket-Boston round trip for a few seasons. Naehring followed that up in 1996 with a .288/17/65 slash, and Boston was set at third base.

The 30-year-old Naehring was lighting it up in 1997 after 70 games. Nine home runs, 40 RBI, a .286 batting average, and a lousy shoulder and elbow killed his career. Naehring may not have looked like the previously mentioned Malzone, but he played a lot like him.

As mentioned, Naehring had a respectable post-career starting with his hometown Reds, but Naehring also founded Athletes Reaching Out and built Fenway Park. Actually, it was Little Fenway Park built on his old little league field in Cincinnati.

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