I decided to try it out, but with a twist. Rather than just whoever pops in my head, I'm going to think of the first player I can think of that is also a Red Sox alum. I did a similar post last fall, and actually had it in the back of my mind to do a full lineup for each team, if possible. This would be a good starting point. I also decided to only allow a player to be used only once per team.
I present to you now, the player that popped into my head for each team:
Angels - Fred Lynn
 |
| 1985 Topps #220 Fred Lynn |
His swing was built for Fenway. I will always maintain that he would have built a strong Hall of Fame case if he never left.
Astros - Larry Andersen
 |
| 1989 Donruss #359 Larry Andersen |
My first thought was Jeff Bagwell, but he never played for the Red Sox. This led me to think of the guy he was traded for.
Athletics - Jose Canseco
 |
| 1991 Bowman #227 Jose Canseco |
A lot of Hall of Famers played for both teams, yet he popped in my mind first.
Blue Jays - Roger Clemens
 |
| 1999 Topps Opening Day #161 Roger Clemens (HL) |
He was my favorite player growing up. It saddened me initially when he left. I got over it.
Braves - John Smoltz
 |
| 1991 Leaf #309 John Smoltz |
He's going to be the guest speaker at a University of Virginia fundraiser tomorrow. I think that influenced my decision.
Brewers - George Scott
 |
| 1977 Topps #255 George Scott |
Technically, Scott was the second person I thought of. I had a current Brewer in mind, but for the life of me I couldn't recall his name. All I could think of was his nickname "The Mayor Of Ding Dong City". Scott's name popped in my head before I could figure it out, so apologies to Travis Shaw.
Cardinals - Dennis Eckersley
 |
| 1996 Upper Deck #375 Dennis Eckersley (BG) |
I find with a lot of these players, I'm surprised by the team association. Eck was a quick choice for the Cardinals, which led me to wonder why I didn't associate him with the Athletics before?
Cubs - John Lester
 |
| 2018 Topps #266 Jon Lester |
I wish he never got traded.
Diamondbacks - Chris Young
 |
| 2008 Topps #179 Chris Young (PSH) |
I'm surprised JD Martinez wasn't the first player I thought of!
Dodgers - Alex Cora
 |
| 2001 Upper Deck Victory #371 Alex Cora |
Like I said above, I did a whole lineup of players who wore both of these uniforms.
Expos - Pedro Martinez
 |
| 1995 Stadium Club #485 Pedro Martinez |
Arguably the greatest trade in Red Sox history.
Giants - Pablo Sandoval
 |
| 2011 Topps #188 Pablo Sandoval |
Arguably the worst free agent signing in Red Sox history.
Indians - Andrew Miller
 |
| 2018 Stadium Club #227 Andrew Miller |
The one great thing Bobby Valentine did in his one year as manager was to put this guy in the bullpen.
Mariners - Derek Lowe
 |
| 1996 Bowman #228 Derek Lowe |
Arguably the greatest trade in Red Sox history, part 2.
Marlins - Andre Dawson
 |
| 1997 Upper Deck #80 Andre Dawon |
Like Eck before him, I'm surprised he wasn't who popped in my head for the Cubs.
Mets - Mo Vaugn
 |
| 2002 Donruss Originals - Aqueous #331 Mo Vaughn |
It was a shame he had trouble staying healthy after he left Boston.
Nationals - Jonathan Papelbon
 |
| 2016 Topps #266 Jonathan Papelbon |
All-time saves leader for two historic franchises, and if he could have stayed effective for just a few more years, he'd probably have held the Nationals record too.
Orioles - Koji Uehara
 |
| 2009 Topps #616 Koji Uehara (RC) |
The 2013 title doesn't happen without him.
Padres - Drew Pomeranz
 |
| 2016 Topps Update #US236 Drew Pomeranz (AS) |
He was horrible for the Red Sox last year, but I think he's got a bounce back year coming up. The Giants got him on a good deal.
Phillies - Danial Nava
 |
| 2017 Topps Heritage #561 Daniel Nava |
He's got the kind of story that would make a great Disney movie.
Pirates - Jason Bay
 |
| 2004 Topps #411 Jason Bay |
He was about a good of a return for Manny Ramirez as anyone could have asked.
Rangers - Adrian Beltre
 |
| 2015 Topps #175 Adrian Beltre |
Happy retirement Adrian! See you in the Hall in 5 years!
Rays/Devil Rays - Wade Boggs
 |
| 1998 Donruss #234 Wade Boggs |
The Rays retired his number before the Red Sox did, which is weird.
Reds - Bronson Arroyo
 |
| 2011 Topps #98 Bronson Arroyo |
Good guitar player, but still looked ridiculous in dreads.
Rockies - Ellis Burks
 |
| 1997 Score #74 Ellis Burks |
Proof that even injured players can be champions.
Royals - Johnny Damon
 |
| 2000 Stadium Club #12 Johnny Damon |
What an Idiot.
Tigers - Rick Porcello
 |
| 2014 Topps #384 Rick Porcello |
With all the Red Sox hitting free agency within the next two years, you don't hear about Porcello much. He's been solid, and I wouldn't mind seeing him come back.
Twins - Eduardo Nunez
 |
| 2015 Topps #499 Eduardo Nunez |
Proof that the World Series is still fresh in my mind - I thought of him before Big Papi?
White Sox - Yoan Moncada
 |
| 2018 Bowman Platinum #22 Yoan Moncada |
Why Moncada and not the guy he was traded for, Chris Sale? I don't know.
Yankees - Jacoby Ellsbury
 |
| 2016 Topps Archives #40 Jacoby Ellsbury |
He's still a Yankee, right?
So that was an interesting experiment. In almost all cases I could think of someone better if I gave myself even a minute to think of it. Instead I ended up with a delightfully weird mix of Hall of Famers, All-Stars, regulars and role players.
0 Comments