For the primary time since 2020, there’s a brand new Red Sox Hall of Fame class in session.
On May 30, 2024, Trot Nixon, Jonathan Papelbon, and Dustin Pedroia will return to Fenway Park and be part of the ranks of the franchise’s biggest. Pioneering entrance workplace govt Elaine Steward, who broke obstacles as a lady and particular person of shade, is the one non-player inductee. Billy Rohr, who had a no-hitter going till the final remaining out of his Major League debut in ’67, will even be acknowledged.
“It is an honor to be inducted to Red Sox Hall of Fame today with Trot and Dustin, two of the best teammates you could ask for, who played every out with integrity and respect. Blessed and Thankful,” Papelbon posted on social media.
The trio of homegrown stars overlapped for only one season – Pedroia debuted in ’06, Nixon’s final with the membership – however their mixed influence on the crew was vital: three championships in a decade.
Nixon
Boston’s first-round choose (No. 7 total) within the 1993 draft, Nixon spent nearly his complete skilled profession within the group. He briefly debuted in September ’96 and appeared within the ’98 ALDS, however didn’t develop into a roster mainstay till ’99, when he hit .270 with an .830 OPS, 42 extra-base hits, and 52 RBI to complete ninth in American League Rookie of the Year voting and assist the Sox attain the ALCS.
Though the membership didn’t fare effectively in his first few postseasons, the right-fielder was a continuing contributor. In ’03, he collected 10 hits, together with 4 residence runs, and drove in seven runs in 11 postseason video games. The following yr, his 13 hits, 4 doubles, residence run, and eight RBI – together with a two-run double in Game 4 of the World Series – helped Boston lastly finish their 86-year drought.
Papelbon
Papelbon debuted barely two years after being drafted by the Red Sox within the fourth spherical of the ’03 June draft, and shortly proved to be one of the vital sturdy and efficient closers within the recreation. Between ’06-11, he posted a 2.30 ERA throughout 395 1/3 regular-season innings, appeared in a minimum of 59 video games every season, and averaged 55 video games completed and 36 saves. In ’06, he completed second to Justin Verlander in AL Rookie of the Year voting; it was additionally his first of 4 consecutive All-Star seasons.
When the lights bought brighter and the strain intensified, the nearer thrived. As a rookie, Papelbon made two shutout appearances within the ’05 ALDS, then prolonged his streak with 14 scoreless performances between the ’07 and ’08 postseason runs. He didn’t enable a run till his 18th and remaining playoff outing for Boston within the ’09 ALDS.
It solely took seven years for Papelbon to climb the franchise leaderboards. He ranks second to Bob Stanley in franchise historical past in video games completed, and was third in video games pitched behind Tim Wakefield and Stanley earlier than Matt Barnes dropped him down a slot. Only Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, and Lefty Grove had larger Win Probability Added (WPA).
By the time Papelbon departed in free company after the ’11 season, he’d been Boston’s all-time saves chief (219) for 2 and a half seasons, having surpassed Stanley (132) in July ’09. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and have become their all-time saves chief as effectively earlier than ending his 12-year profession with Washington. His 368 profession saves rank eleventh in MLB historical past.
Pedroia
Induction has been a very long time coming for Pedroia, who was mechanically elected at his retirement ceremony at Fenway Park in ’21. (A panel consisting of members of the Red Sox group, New England Sports Museum, and BoSox Booster Club voted in his classmates.)
Beginning with the ’04 MLB draft, Pedroia spent his complete skilled profession with the group, together with components of 14 years within the Majors. After debuting in August ’06, he gained American League Rookie of the Year and was the AL MVP in ’08. The latter season was additionally the second baseman’s first of 4 Gold Gloves and his solely Silver Slugger yr. He was a four-time All-Star, together with thrice consecutively between ’08-10, and was a key member of the ’07 and ’13 championship groups (he additionally has an ’18 ring regardless of solely showing in three regular-season video games).
A grasp of getting on base, the person often called “Laser Show” hit .302 and averaged 134 video games, 162 hits, 56 walks, and solely 59 strikeouts per yr between ’07-17, his first and final full seasons. Between ’08-13, he stole bases within the double digits 5 instances. Among the 23,114 males in Major League historical past, he’s within the high 250 in stolen base proportion (227th), batting common (223rd), doubles (207th), Wins Above Replacement for a place participant (185th), Defensive WAR (107th). Within the second base ranks, he’s fiftieth in assists and forty first in defensive video games and double performs turned.
If Nixon was high Dirt Dog, the second baseman was his inheritor obvious. The final competitor, Pedroia famously tore his UCL diving into first base at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day ’13 and postpone surgical procedure till after the World Series as a result of he knew the crew wanted him. Despite the ache, he performed 160 video games that yr, hit .301, collected 42 doubles, drove in 84 RBI, and gained a Gold Glove.
It’s one of many nice tragedies of current Red Sox historical past that knee accidents – together with the notorious spike by then-Orioles third baseman Manny Machado in ’17 – prematurely ended a profession that was on observe to be Cooperstown-worthy and prevented Pedroia from retiring on his personal phrases. Between ’18-19, he solely performed 9 regular-season video games amidst surgical procedures and setbacks. In February ’21, he introduced he was strolling away for good.
Steward
Steward, the membership’s senior vice chairman and assistant normal counsel, is a central determine within the recreation’s ladies’s historical past and Black historical past. Two years after becoming a member of the membership as affiliate counsel in 1988, she grew to become the highest-ranked lady in baseball operations historical past when the Red Sox named her assistant normal supervisor. She was additionally simply the second Black assistant GM in league historical past on the time. After spending over a decade within the position, she transitioned into her present position. She’s already within the Baseball Hall of Fame as a part of their Diamond Dreams: Women in Baseball exhibit.
“In a sense, I guess I’m a pioneer,” Steward informed The Sporting News that February. “But I’m sure there are many (women) out there qualified to do this type of work. I hope my appointment can lead to more. I hope by being the first, there will be many more to follow.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com