Red Sox to Retire Wade Boggs Uniform Number

[Elktonnick]

For 10 seasons, he was the best player at his position and one of the best players in baseball, period. His numbers are stupid, seriously stupid. If he was around today, he'd be getting $35 mil a yr. One season he had a .478OBP. And that's pre roid era where offensive numbers were real.

 

All the more reason to have him in the HOF. Neveretheless not all Hall of Famers should have a team retire their numbers. That honor should be reserved for a very very select few who are identified excludively with that particular team. For example I have no objection to retiring Johnny Pesky's number. No one was more identified with the Red Sox as was Pesky.

[GomesBeard]

You must be a youngin, lol. When Boggs was getting inducted, the player got to choose which cap they wear into the HOF. He tried to get paid to wear a devil ray cap into the hall by asking the Rays for a check. That instituted the new rule that the caps are decided for them by the HOF committee

 

Only at heart..... But I don't recall that scenario. It does seem typically Boggs, though. I have no issue with the Sox retiring his number and am frankly glad they are no longer wedded to their original criteria of the player having to have spent their entire career with the Sox. When you mention Boggs' name, you immediately identify him as a member of the Sox, no other team, and that's good enough for me.

[cp176]

All the more reason to have him in the HOF. Neveretheless not all Hall of Famers should have a team retire their numbers. That honor should be reserved for a very very select few who are identified excludively with that particular team. For example I have no objection to retiring Johnny Pesky's number. No one was more identified with the Red Sox as was Pesky.

 

Makes sense to me. In a case like this, I guess the owner or owners get to choose. This has really very little to do with anyone outside of the organization. It really does look like a massive PR move and if it works, good for them. It is their boat. We don't get to fill out a ballot. Like I said earlier, looking at the numbers that have been retired, Dwight Evans would go up long before Wade Boggs. We don't have to follow anybody elses concept of protocol on this one.

[greenmonster24]

david Ortiz number should be retired soon to after he retires. Like people said didn't hate Boggs but didn't love him either. However Mo Vaughn got his number retired so Nomar should I feel

[mvp 78]

However Mo Vaughn got his number retired

Nope

[jacksonianmarch]

Manny Ramirez should have his number retired as well

[Behindenemylines]

He was one of the best 3b's in baseball history, clocks in at #5 behind Brett, Schmidt, Brooks, and Mathews on a few lists. The #5 player EVER at the position should have his number retired in the place he played the best.

 

Boggs inducted into Red Sox H-O-F in 2004, Baseball H-O-F in 2005, and spent at least ten years of his career in Boston. He was a pure hitter that made himself a descent third basemen. The Sox changed their guidelines which says that the player has to end his career in Boston. I think his number retiring is deserved and has some meaning. First, the Sox have been bringing back a lot of their former stars to work in the system. This may mean that Boggs will have a roll in the Sox organization. Second, the FO may realize that the days of a player spending his whole career in one town are not going to happen that often in the future. As far as the horse riding image, it should of been in a Sox uniform in 1986. The one weird thing is that so many have worn the number since he left, while how many have worn Clemons number since he left?

[cp176]

If the Sox choose, which evidently they have, to retire the Wade Boggs' jersey , then that is fine. I am looking at the other numbers that have been retired in Boston, and quite honestly I don't see how Boggs fits with the rest of those guys. I accept that I probably see it differently but personally I am looking at other things in addition to statistical prowess when I see those other numbers up there. There are things that those others did or had that in my mind Boggs doesn't come close to achieving. A great player - a Hall of Famer for sure - but a player identified with Red Sox history in the future - hardly. If Boggs, then why not Bill Lee? Not El tiante or Dewey? You have go to be kidding right? Hey whatever right -

[cp176]

Manny Ramirez? really? good one!

[Kimmi]

Boggs inducted into Red Sox H-O-F in 2004, Baseball H-O-F in 2005, and spent at least ten years of his career in Boston. He was a pure hitter that made himself a descent third basemen. The Sox changed their guidelines which says that the player has to end his career in Boston. I think his number retiring is deserved and has some meaning. First, the Sox have been bringing back a lot of their former stars to work in the system. This may mean that Boggs will have a roll in the Sox organization. Second, the FO may realize that the days of a player spending his whole career in one town are not going to happen that often in the future. As far as the horse riding image, it should of been in a Sox uniform in 1986. The one weird thing is that so many have worn the number since he left, while how many have worn Clemons number since he left?

 

Boggs was a great baseball player, no doubt. However, I just don't identify him as the ultimate Red Sox player. I don't think he deserves to have his number retired, and I acknowledge that this opinion might be largely formed by my bias against him. But as others have said, I think there are several other players whose numbers should be retired before his.

[a700hitter]

The horse riding episode was like a dagger to my heart and I cursed Boggs as he was on that horse hoping the horse would throw him. He was the first big Sox Star in my lifetime to leave the Sox and go to the hated Yankees. In the more than 20 years since he left us, Damon and Ellsbury left us for the Yankees and Pedro left us for the Mets. Unlike the others, the Red Sox never made an offer to Boggs. I hate when our guys get poached by the Yankees, but I no longer blame the players or hold a grudge against them. Our owners simply no longer wanted them and they had to pursue there careers. We were pretty vicious with Damon, a guy who played extremely hard for us. I don't think he understood the vehemence -- and I think that is why he spurned the opportunity to return that one September.

[Kimmi]

The horse riding episode was like a dagger to my heart and I cursed Boggs as he was on that horse hoping the horse would throw him. He was the first big Sox Star in my lifetime to leave the Sox and go to the hated Yankees. In the more than 20 years since he left us, Damon and Ellsbury left us for the Yankees and Pedro left us for the Mets. Unlike the others, the Red Sox never made an offer to Boggs. I hate when our guys get poached by the Yankees, but I no longer blame the players or hold a grudge against them. Our owners simply no longer wanted them and they had to pursue there careers. We were pretty vicious with Damon, a guy who played extremely hard for us. I don't think he understood the vehemence -- and I think that is why he spurned the opportunity to return that one September.

 

I do not usually begrudge players who leave the Sox and sign elsewhere, even if they sign with the Yankees. I understand the business aspect of free agency. I have no problem with Ellsbury in that regard, other than the fact that he's a stinking Yankee.

 

However, as you said, Boggs riding the horse was a dagger through my heart. Damon stated that he could never sign with the Yankees, then turned right around and signed with them. It was like he ripped my heart out and stomped on it. Clemens is up there too in the heart breaking category, though for some reason, he doesn't bother me quite as much as Boggs or Damon.

 

Anyway, those 3 are dead to me. Yes, I take it personally. As the saying goes, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

[Spudboy]

Damon had to make a move because the Sox were dragging their asses from what I remember.

 

I have nothing against him other than the ridiculous implants his bimbo Wife has. And after the Jesus look he modeled in Boston he just looked stupid in New York with his hair cut.

 

He had that rag arm but he remains one of the most exciting players I have ever seen play for the Sox. I loved watching him run full-tilt around the bases.

 

I used to think that he was somewhat dimwitted. Then I discovered that he suffered from some speech pathology so I let him off the hook.

 

It did suck to watch him play in NY.

 

Clemens, as dominant as he was as a Red Sox, was a complete ass-hat of a human. f*** him. And f*** Boggs and the horse he rode in on.

[a700hitter]

Damon had to make a move because the Sox were dragging their asses from what I remember.

 

I have nothing against him other than the ridiculous implants his bimbo Wife has. And after the Jesus look he modeled in Boston he just looked stupid in New York with his hair cut.

 

He had that rag arm but he remains one of the most exciting players I have ever seen play for the Sox. I loved watching him run full-tilt around the bases.

 

I used to think that he was somewhat dimwitted. Then I discovered that he suffered from some speech pathology so I let him off the hook.

 

It did suck to watch him play in NY.

 

Clemens, as dominant as he was as a Red Sox, was a complete ass-hat of a human. f*** him. And f*** Boggs and the horse he rode in on.

I agree with you about Clemens --- always a jackass. When he came to NY, he would make remarks that deliberately reflected poorly on Boston and its fans. There was no need to stick the needle like he did.

 

BTW, What do you have against bimbos with implants? I don't have that bias.

[cp176]

I only care what these players have meant to the Boston Red Sox. Everybody does not make the honor roll - everyone does not get a trophy. Wade Boggs should not have his number retired by the Red Sox. Once again ( and yes I am beating that dead horse) to retire his number before that of Dwight Evans is an absolute joke. Their respective stats mean really nothing to me. Guys like Evans and Tiant will always have players like Boggs in their rear view mirrors when it it comes to Boston history.

[Kimmi]

Damon had to make a move because the Sox were dragging their asses from what I remember.

 

I have nothing against him other than the ridiculous implants his bimbo Wife has. And after the Jesus look he modeled in Boston he just looked stupid in New York with his hair cut.

 

He had that rag arm but he remains one of the most exciting players I have ever seen play for the Sox. I loved watching him run full-tilt around the bases.

 

I used to think that he was somewhat dimwitted. Then I discovered that he suffered from some speech pathology so I let him off the hook.

 

It did suck to watch him play in NY.

 

Clemens, as dominant as he was as a Red Sox, was a complete ass-hat of a human. f*** him. And f*** Boggs and the horse he rode in on.

 

I loved Damon when he played for the Sox, and I am grateful for all he did for this team. He always gave 100%, I can't deny that. All of that is probably a large part of why I can't stand him now. He broke my heart. Anyone but the Yankees Johnny. But like most players, he went for the most money.

 

Along with saying that he could never play for the Yankees, once he signed with them, he took a couple of back handed shots at the Sox, which I did not appreciate.

 

IMO, Damon, with his trophy wife, is a rather shallow human being.

[Spudboy]

I loved Damon when he played for the Sox, and I am grateful for all he did for this team. He always gave 100%, I can't deny that. All of that is probably a large part of why I can't stand him now. He broke my heart. Anyone but the Yankees Johnny. But like most players, he went for the most money.

 

Along with saying that he could never play for the Yankees, once he signed with them, he took a couple of back handed shots at the Sox, which I did not appreciate.

 

IMO, Damon, with his trophy wife, is a rather shallow human being.

 

I suppose. But it could have been avoided if the Sox made an appropriate and timely offer to keep him.

 

And she is no trophy.

[a700hitter]

I loved Damon when he played for the Sox, and I am grateful for all he did for this team. He always gave 100%, I can't deny that. All of that is probably a large part of why I can't stand him now. He broke my heart. Anyone but the Yankees Johnny. But like most players, he went for the most money.

 

Along with saying that he could never play for the Yankees, once he signed with them, he took a couple of back handed shots at the Sox, which I did not appreciate.

 

IMO, Damon, with his trophy wife, is a rather shallow human being.

 

What do you have against trophy wives?

[Kimmi]

I suppose. But it could have been avoided if the Sox made an appropriate and timely offer to keep him.

 

And she is no trophy.

 

My understanding was that the Sox did make an offer to Damon, it just wasn't as much as the Yankees offer. I can understand Damon going where the money is. But he shouldn't have told his devoted fans, the ones that made him an icon in Boston, that he would never sign with the Yankees, and he shouldn't have taken shots at the Sox after he left.

 

I don't think she's a trophy, but I'm not a man. I'm glad that you don't think she is either.

[Kimmi]

What do you have against trophy wives?

 

Nothing really.

[Dojji]

My opinion of Damon is that a free agent is a free agent. If the Sox wanted him back they should have met his price. THis team can't go crying poverty when the Yankees simply outbid them, not when they're one of the top 5 financially strong teams in the league even today. Lowballing Damon told everyone the Sox didn't want him back and after that little display of nonloyalty, free agent rules apply. Loyalty runs both ways and the team showed Mr. Damon none at all.

 

Everyone had his price. The Yankees would meet Damon's and the Red Sox would not. The hatred of Damon for going to the Yankees is just pointless. It's not like his decision cost us anything. Damon was great, helped us win a Series and made way for Coco Crisp, who a little disappointment about his offensive numbers aside did a fine job, helped us win a Series and made way for Jacoby, who helped us win a Series and made way for Betts. It's just baseball's life cycle.

Edited December 28, 2015 by Dojji

[Bellhorn04]

My opinion of Damon is that a free agent is a free agent. If the Sox wanted him back they should have met his price. THis team can't go crying poverty when the Yankees simply outbid them, not when they're one of the top 5 financially strong teams in the league even today. Lowballing Damon told everyone the Sox didn't want him back and after that little display of nonloyalty, free agent rules apply. Loyalty runs both ways and the team showed Mr. Damon none at all.

 

It was reported at the time that the Red Sox were angry, not with Damon, but with Boras, because he said he would give them a chance to match the Yankees offer, but didn't do so.

[cp176]

My opinion of Damon is that a free agent is a free agent. If the Sox wanted him back they should have met his price. THis team can't go crying poverty when the Yankees simply outbid them, not when they're one of the top 5 financially strong teams in the league even today. Lowballing Damon told everyone the Sox didn't want him back and after that little display of nonloyalty, free agent rules apply. Loyalty runs both ways and the team showed Mr. Damon none at all.

 

Everyone had his price. The Yankees would meet Damon's and the Red Sox would not. The hatred of Damon for going to the Yankees is just pointless. It's not like his decision cost us anything. Damon was great, helped us win a Series and made way for Coco Crisp, who a little disappointment about his offensive numbers aside did a fine job, helped us win a Series and made way for Jacoby, who helped us win a Series and made way for Betts. It's just baseball's life cycle.

 

I agree here. The landscape for MLB just isn't what it used to be. I liked Damon and his contributions as much as anyone but the Red Sox saw a price tag with him that they weren't going to pass. The way it goes. I think that in this day and age it is just a little silly to hold something against someone based upon their making a financial decision. So again, why is Boggs' number being retired? PR move and that is it.

[Dojji]

Well that and he was one of the best pure contact hitters this team has ever seen, probabvly second only to Ted Williams

[cp176]

Well that and he was one of the best pure contact hitters this team has ever seen, probabvly second only to Ted Williams

 

Not debating his HOF credentials here. Clemens was arguably the best pitcher the team has ever seen. Co jersey retirements.

[Dojji]

Raja did more to damage his legacy here than Boggs ever did

[cp176]

Raja did more to damage his legacy here than Boggs ever did

 

I'm sure you would get a ton of support for this opinion.

[Dojji]

lest we forget not coming back for the 1993 season was not Boggs' idea the team practically kicked him to the curb and i don't think even made him an offer so there was no betrayal there, free agent means free agent. He had to sign sith a team that would take him, turned out that was NYY

 

the horse incident came during a world series celebration event, you know that thing the Red Sox never gave him the opportunity to do. Maybe if they had there would have been less bad blood to go round and he would have been kept on.

 

Boggs is one of those players who looked good enough at the time, certainly good enough to get into the Hall of Fame even before the modern era, but modern metrics later revealed just how much better than even that he was. In the 10 year period between 82 and 92 modern metrics mark him as the second most valuable player in the entire league for that era, second only to Rickey Henderson. His combination of patience, OBP and defense looked like an all star, until modern metrics reveal he was actually a legend instead.

 

the sad thing is by modern netrics he was still a 2 WAR player even in the "bad" year in 92. Fangraphs shows his WAR at 2.1, still above average, and he would not be that low again until his age 39 season. They should have made the man a reasonable offer.

Edited December 28, 2015 by Dojji

[Kimmi]

My opinion of Damon is that a free agent is a free agent. If the Sox wanted him back they should have met his price. THis team can't go crying poverty when the Yankees simply outbid them, not when they're one of the top 5 financially strong teams in the league even today. Lowballing Damon told everyone the Sox didn't want him back and after that little display of nonloyalty, free agent rules apply. Loyalty runs both ways and the team showed Mr. Damon none at all.

 

Everyone had his price. The Yankees would meet Damon's and the Red Sox would not. The hatred of Damon for going to the Yankees is just pointless. It's not like his decision cost us anything. Damon was great, helped us win a Series and made way for Coco Crisp, who a little disappointment about his offensive numbers aside did a fine job, helped us win a Series and made way for Jacoby, who helped us win a Series and made way for Betts. It's just baseball's life cycle.

 

I fully understand that loyalty runs both ways. I still haven't forgiven Theo for trading Arroyo.

 

I also fully understand why Damon took the Yankees offer, and I have no problem with that, in and of itself. I have no issues whatsoever with Ellsbury signing with the Yankees. It was the manner in which Damon jumped ship, and the comments he made afterwards.

 

I also think the Sox were right in not matching the Yankees price. Damon was not lowballed. It was a fair offer. The idea that the Sox should simply outbid the Yankees might work today, but during the days of George Steinbrenner, it wasn't happening. If the Yankees wanted a player, they were getting the player, unless the player was willing to take a discount to play elsewhere.

[Kimmi]

lest we forget not coming back for the 1993 season was not Boggs' idea the team practically kicked him to the curb and i don't think even made him an offer so there was no betrayal there, free agent means free agent. He had to sign sith a team that would take him, turned out that was NYY

 

the horse incident came during a world series celebration event, you know that thing the Red Sox never gave him the opportunity to do. Maybe if they had there would have been less bad blood to go round and he would have been kept on.

 

Boggs is one of those players who looked good enough at the time, certainly good enough to get into the Hall of Fame even before the modern era, but modern metrics later revealed just how much better than even that he was. In the 10 year period between 82 and 92 modern metrics mark him as the second most valuable player in the entire league for that era, second only to Rickey Henderson. His combination of patience, OBP and defense looked like an all star, until modern metrics reveal he was actually a legend instead.

 

the sad thing is by modern netrics he was still a 2 WAR player even in the "bad" year in 92. Fangraphs shows his WAR at 2.1, still above average, and he would not be that low again until his age 39 season. They should have made the man a reasonable offer.

 

Thank goodness for modern metrics.

 

I am not debating Boggs' HOF credentials, but I don't think he should have his number retired.