The Greatest Right-Handed Hitter in Red Sox History: An In-Depth Analysis
The Greatest Right-Handed Hitter in Red Sox History: An In-Depth Analysis
When it comes to the greatest right-handed hitters in Red Sox history, there is no shortage of names that stand out. In this article, we'll delve into the factors that define a "great" hitter, analyze the historical performance of notable Red Sox right-handed hitters, and determine who truly deserves the title of the greatest ever.
Introduction
Mike Jones provided a thoughtful analysis by noting that Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx are often considered the best right-handed hitters next to Babe Ruth. While these players undoubtedly hold a special place in Red Sox history, we can also recognize Jim Rice and Nomar Garciaparra for their remarkable peak performances. Manny Ramirez's uncertain legitimacy due to doping concerns and the mention of Mookie Betts provide an additional layer to the discussion.
Defining "Great" in Hitting
Mike Jones also notes that using Wins Above Replacement (WAR) or other complex metrics doesn't always provide clarity in rankings. Instead, we propose a more straightforward approach: focusing on runs created, which is the sum of runs plus RBIs, divided by two. This metric takes into account a player's contribution to the offense and adjusts for era and team performance.
Top Ten Right-Handed Hitters by Runs Created Above Average
Based on the runs created above average, we have compiled a list of the top ten right-handed hitters in Red Sox history. Here are the leaders:
Jim Rice: 203 runs created above average (1974-1989) Jimmie Foxx: 197 runs created above average (1936-1942) Manny Ramirez: 165 runs created above average (2001-2008) Jackie Jensen: 123 runs created above average (1954-1961) Dwight Evans: 117 runs created above average (1972-1990) Nomar Garciaparra: 110 runs created above average (1996-2004) Tony Conigliaro: 94 runs created above average (1964-1975) Vern Stephens: 91 runs created above average (1948-1952) Bobby Doerr: 88 runs created above average (1937-1951) Joe Cronin: 70 runs created above average (1935-1945)Notably, Jim Rice's total runs created exceeds that of Jimmie Foxx when considering his much longer career, though Foxx's seven seasons of excellence are unparalleled.
Top Ten Runs-Created- Above-Average Seasons
Looking at the top ten runs-created-above-average seasons for right-handed Red Sox hitters brings to light some fascinating data. Here are the top players and their peak seasons:
Jimmie Foxx: 1938 - 52 runs created above average Jimmie Foxx: 1936 - 47 runs created above average Manny Ramirez: 2005 - 36 runs created above average Jim Rice: 1978 - 35 runs created above average Jimmie Foxx: 1939 - 34 runs created above average Vern Stephens: 1949 - 32 runs created above average Manny Ramirez: 2001 - 32 runs created above average Ken Harrelson: 1968 - 31 runs created above average J. D. Martinez: 2018 - 30 runs created above average Jim Rice: 1979 - 30 runs created above averageIn these peak seasons, Jimmie Foxx continues to dominate the list, with Ken Harrelson and J.D. Martinez emerging as significant contributors in more recent years.
Conclusion
The debate over the greatest right-handed hitter in Red Sox history is a rich one, with multiple factors to consider. While Jim Rice and Nomar Garciaparra demonstrated incredible peak performances, Jimmie Foxx's consistent excellence over his career remains unmatched. It is clear that Jimmie Foxx's legacy as a powerful and consistently productive hitter makes him the greatest right-handed hitter in Red Sox history.