4 biggest one-hit wonders in Red Sox franchise history
In the aftermath of Adrián Beltré's induction into the Hall of Fame, the age-old debate surrounding the best one-year-wonder Red Sox players has resurfaced.
In the same offseason that the Red Sox lost Justin Turner to free agency, another former Red Sox third baseman was inducted into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot appearance. Adrián Beltré received overwhelming support from the writers in the BBWAA during this Hall of Fame election cycle.
The lack of offseason moves and John Henry looking to lower the Red Sox's payroll brought up the age-old question: who are the best players that only played one season with the Red Sox?
The question leaves us wondering what could've been. Many of these decisions to let players walk backfired on the Sox, especially in the case of Beltré, whom Theo Epstein decided to replace with Carl Crawford, one of the biggest flops in Red Sox history.
Whether you believe the Red Sox should have re-signed these players or not, we shine a spotlight on four players who were only on the Red Sox for a single season but left a major impact during their short stint in Boston.
4 biggest one-hit wonders in Red Sox franchise history
Adrián Beltré
Let's address the most obvious name first — Beltré. He was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame with 95.1% of the vote and Beltré made an undeniable impact during his one season with the Red Sox.
In his sole season with the Red Sox in 2010, Beltré amassed an impressive 6.4 fWAR in 154 games, ranking 12th in baseball for that season. He also delivered exceptionally on the offensive side of his tenure at Fenway Park, boasting a triple slash of .321/.365/.553, hitting 28 home runs, and leading the league with 49 doubles. This earned him All-Star recognition for the first time in his career in his sole season in Boston.
After his career-altering season, the Red Sox chose not to match the six-year, $96 million deal Beltré was offered by the Rangers. The Sox pivoted to trading for Padres All-Star Adrian Gonzalez, who also had quite a short tenure in Boston.
Kyle Schwarber
After being named an All-Star for his first-half performances with the Washington Nationals, the Red Sox traded Aldo Ramirez to Washington to acquire the power-hitting lefty's services. It's safe to say he did not disappoint in his short stint in Boston.
In only 41 regular season games for the Red Sox, Schwarber quickly became not only a fan favorite — dubbed "Kyle from Waltham" — but also an integral piece in the Red Sox lineup. He posted a .291/.435/.522 triple slash line and a .957 OPS. However, his most significant achievement with the Sox was his postseason performance. He hit three home runs, including a grand slam that rocked Fenway Park, during Boston's 2021 run to the ALCS.
After J.D Martinez opted into the final year of his $110 million deal the Red Sox chose not to re-sign Schwarber, letting him walk in free agency after one season.
Hideo Nomo
Before he came to Boston, Hideo Nomo spent six seasons in the league between the Dodgers, Mets, Brewers, and Tigers. After winning Rookie of the Year and finishing in the top five for the Cy-Young award twice, Nomo signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Red Sox before the 2001 season.
Although reliable, throwing 198 innings, Nomo's Red Sox career is defined more by its best moments than the year itself. Leading the league in both walks and strikeouts, Nomo had a 4.50 ERA in 33 starts for the Red Sox. However, the crowning achievement of his tenure came during the first start of the 2001 season. On April 4, 2001, he threw the first Red Sox no-hitter in 36 years, striking out 11 Orioles in the game and giving Boston fans hope that he was the ace they needed.
Nomo and the Red Sox parted ways following the 2001 season when he chose to return to Los Angeles where his MLB career began. He signed a two-year, $13.75 million deal with the Dodgers and he returned to his earlier career form, posting his best season since 1997.
Orlando Cabrera
Similar to Schwarber, Orlando Cabrera spent only half a season in Boston. But he played an integral role in reversing the curse with the 2004 Red Sox.
Being part of the controversial four-team trade that saw Nomar Garciaparra sent to the Chicago Cubs, Cabrera had much to prove in his 58 games in Boston and certainly delivered. He stabilized Boston's infield defense and Cabrera was crucial down the stretch as the Red Sox made the playoffs. However, he will be remembered for his performances against the Yankees in the ALCS, where he hit .379 over the 7 games with 11 hits and 5 RBI. He was a piece to the comeback heard 'round the world and the ensuing World Series win.
After the 2004 season, Cabrera left Boston and signed a four-year, $32 million deal with the Angels. He will forever be remembered as part of the team that reversed the curse.
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