For the past two years, I’ve taken a look at the careers of the recently elected Hall of Famers. This really nothing special – just a reminder of what the player did to get there.
It is no surprise that Wade Boggs was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He had 3,000 career hits, and in this day and age, that makes a player automatic. Now that I’ve been following the game for almost 20 years, I’m enjoying seeing players from “my era” getting in. In the most recent past, Boggs was a respectable third baseman for the Yankees and Devil Rays. Of course he started out in Boston, and I knew then that he was among the very best in the game, but as a 10-year-old, I lacked the proper context to evaluate his greatness. Now, looking back, and considering the statistical standards of the 80’s, Boggs’ numbers are just astounding.
Before I get to the stats and career highlights, here’s a little more mundane info on Boggs. Boggs was drafted in the 7th round of the 1976 draft by the Red Sox. He made his debut for Boston in 1982. He stayed in Boston through 1992, and then signed with the Yankees as a free agent. He spent five years in New York, and then finished out his career as a member of the Devil Rays.
Boggs made the All-Star team 12 times, from 1985-1996, most of those times as the elected starter. He won Gold Gloves in ’94 and ’95, and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting four times (’85-’88). He finished in the top 5 in the AL batting race 11 times, winning titles in ’83 (.361), ’85 (.368), ’86 (.357), ’87 (.363), and ’88 (.366). He led the league in on base percentage in each of those years as well, and again in 1989, his career high coming in 1988 (.476). He even led the league in OPS twice, which is amazing for a non-power hitter. Another astonishing feat for a non-power hitter: Boggs led the AL in intentional walks 6 straight years from ’87-’92. He led twice in runs, walks, and doubles. While on one of these was a league leading total, his most impressive feat in my mind was seven consecutive seasons with 200+ hits. He even has respectable career ERA: 3.86 in 2.1 innings, showcasing a vicious knuckleball, and striking out twice as many as he walked (2 to 1).
As for his career totals, he ranks in the top 50 all-time in hits, average, OBP, at-bats, doubles, and walks. He also has 1 World Series ring as a member of the 1996 Yankees.
Boggs’ induction is a no-brainer.