Hometown Heros...

[HeadOfSoxNation]

So I was just checking out RedSox.com and they have a new contest sponsored by DHL to pick a guy who exemplifies the franchise and blah blah blah....anyways, Ortiz is not even MENTIONED. Now, I understand that there's a different level of RedSox-ness when you look at Ortiz compared to Cy Young and Yaz and guys of the like...but is there ANYONE you're more thankful for over the years than Ortiz? In his short tenure here, he's pretty much single-handedly brought us our first WS Championship in 86 years. I say single-handedly because I whole-heartedly believe that the Sox would not have even been in the playoffs in 04 if it wasn't for Ortiz. Anyways...I just think leaving Ortiz out was kind of an error of omission.

[a700hitter]

So I was just checking out RedSox.com and they have a new contest sponsored by DHL to pick a guy who exemplifies the franchise and blah blah blah....anyways, Ortiz is not even MENTIONED. Now, I understand that there's a different level of RedSox-ness when you look at Ortiz compared to Cy Young and Yaz and guys of the like...but is there ANYONE you're more thankful for over the years than Ortiz? In his short tenure here, he's pretty much single-handedly brought us our first WS Championship in 86 years. I say single-handedly because I whole-heartedly believe that the Sox would not have even been in the playoffs in 04 if it wasn't for Ortiz. Anyways...I just think leaving Ortiz out was kind of an error of omission.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[redsox71490]

I agree wholeheartedly.

 

As do I. However, who would you pick from the current choices? I went with Teddy Ballgame.

[TheKilo]

**Heroes

[Papelbon58]

I think you have to go with Ted Williams, I mean, as great as Yaz was, Teddy Ballgame was one of the 5 greatest hitters ever.

[TheKilo]

Lou Merloni.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Rich Gedman gets my vote

[YanksHater213]

Frank Castillo anyone?

[ImissPedro]

So I was just checking out RedSox.com and they have a new contest sponsored by DHL to pick a guy who exemplifies the franchise and blah blah blah....anyways, Ortiz is not even MENTIONED. Now, I understand that there's a different level of RedSox-ness when you look at Ortiz compared to Cy Young and Yaz and guys of the like...but is there ANYONE you're more thankful for over the years than Ortiz? In his short tenure here, he's pretty much single-handedly brought us our first WS Championship in 86 years. I say single-handedly because I whole-heartedly believe that the Sox would not have even been in the playoffs in 04 if it wasn't for Ortiz. Anyways...I just think leaving Ortiz out was kind of an error of omission.

 

No mention of Pedro either

[Cityofchampions33]

Id go with El Guapo

[element1151]

Yeah, Ted no doubt.

 

 

You can write in Ortiz or Pedro, though. (I don't think Pedro really spent enough time here, though. Ortiz hopefully will....)

[redsox71490]

Yeah, Ted no doubt.

 

 

You can write in Ortiz or Pedro, though. (I don't think Pedro really spent enough time here, though. Ortiz hopefully will....)

 

I just finished reading Bill Simmons' book, and if he speaks for all of Red Sox Nation as he seems to, then Pedro should be on this list. He spent 7 years here, won 2 Cy Youngs and a World Series, and ONE-HIT the Yankees in the Bronx. If that isn't enough to make someone a hero than I don't know what is. About Ortiz, didn't he just sign a pretty big extension?

[TheKilo]

Tim Naehring.

[a700hitter]

Tim Naehring.

He was on the thershhold of becoming a star when he hurt his elbow. He had surgery. I'm not sure if it was Tommy John surgery. The next ST he showed up and couldn't straighten his arm. He rehabbed, but I don't think he could ever straighten his arm, and I don't think he played again.

[DirtDog]

When we brought in David Ortiz many people thought it was a desperation move for some overrated bum who couldn't even excel that great in a small market. (The same went for Kevin Millar)

[SCM33]

He was on the thershhold of becoming a star when he hurt his elbow. He had surgery. I'm not sure if it was Tommy John surgery. The next ST he showed up and couldn't straighten his arm. He rehabbed, but I don't think he could ever straighten his arm, and I don't think he played again.

 

I wouldnt say Tim Naehring was going to be a star. He would never have been an Allstar. He was a good all around 3B.

 

When you think of RedSox, I think 50 years from now people will still think of Ted Williams, Carl Yaz, and Roger Clemens. Say what you want about Roger, but when people say the name, I still immediately think of Boston.

[a700hitter]

I wouldnt say Tim Naehring was going to be a star. He would never have been an Allstar. He was a good all around 3B.

In 1995 he hit over .300 with a .425 OBP. The next year his power production went up. In 1997 he got injured and was out of the game. I think there was a strong possibility that he would have become an All Star.

[Sox fan in Tex]

I really just don't see how anyone could be picked over Ted Williams. Williams was a 17-time All-Star, 5-time ML Player of the Year, 2-time AL MVP and won the Triple Crown twice, as well. Not to mention hitting 521 HRs and having a career .344 average. Let us not forget that Williams is the last player to hit over .400 in a season (.406 in 1941).

[SCM33]

In 1995 he hit over .300 with a .425 OBP. The next year his power production went up. In 1997 he got injured and was out of the game. I think there was a strong possibility that he would have become an All Star.

 

Thats still debatable. In 1995:

Naehring had a .415 OBP, not .425

 

Naehring .307/.415/.863

Boggs hit .324 with a .412 OBP and a .834 OPS

Thome hit .314/.438/.996

Ventura hit .295/.384/.882

Castilla hit .309/.347/.911

Caminiti hit .302/.380/.894

Willams hit .336/.399/1.046

 

Thats just comparing 3B. I dont think he would have been a star. Like a said, he was a good player. Alot of 3B put up a lot better numbers, which is why they were selected to be allstars, not Tim Naehring. When I think of Star player, I think one of the best.....clearly that is not the case, because he wasnt even one of the top 5 in his position as five others outproduced him in terms of total output, OPS.

 

You may be correct however, he may have one day been an allstar as Boggs retired, Thome switched positions and others aged, I just dont consider him a "star" per se, but yeah....if Scott Cooper could be an allstar 3B for Boston, why not Naehring?