This is the first week of a series i am starting called Throwback Thursday. The first player i am featuring is Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs.
Boston Red Sox
The 1982 Boston Red Sox (Credit: Boston Red Sox)
The Boston Red Sox drafted Boggs in the seventh round of the 1976 MLB June Amateur Draft. He spent five years in the minors before getting called up in the 1982 season as rookie Boggs played in 104 games and batted .349 with 118 hits. In 1983 Boggs, hit an outstanding .361 with 210 hits. Also, he won his first batting title that season.
From 1982 to 1988 Boggs hit under .349 just once. That was in 1984 when he hit .325. For seven straight season, Boggs managed to get 200 hits each season. The former third baseman won five batting titles in six years. That is pretty amazing if you ask me.
Boggs holds the record for batting average at Fenway Park, batting .369 there. He appeared in the World Series with the Red Sox in 1986. The Red Sox lost to the New York Mets in seven games.
New York Yankees
In 1993 Wade Boggs signed with the New York Yankees. In his first season with the Yankees, Boggs hit .302 and made the All-Star team. The next three season, he batted over .300 and won two Gold Glove awards for his excellent defense. In 1996 the Yankees won the World Series, and Boggs was a critical contributor that season. That was his only World Series title, after falling short with the Red Sox in 1986. Boggs went on to play one more season with the Yankees after that before moving on.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
In his final two seasons, Boggs signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In 1999 Boggs collected his 3,000 hit, and it came on a home run. He was never really home run hitter, but for his 3,000 hit to come home run was exciting, He retired after the 1999 season. It was refreshing to see Boggs end his career in his home town. He grew up in Tampa Bay, Florida
Boggs finished his career with a .328 batting average with 3,010 hits. Also, he appeared in 12 All-Star games, five batting titles, and two gold gloves. In 2005, Boggs received the ultimate achievement being elected to the baseball Hall of Fame.
When people talk about the best hitters in the game, they tend to forget about Wade Boggs. He was a great hitter at the plate always made contact and had an outstanding eye. Although, he is in the Hall of Fame he is truly one of the most underrated players of all time.
