All Time: Boston Red Sox

Lineup:
C: Carlton Fisk- the one that got away. Fisk actually spent less than half his career in Boston, but his home run in the '75 series will never be forgotten. The Sox could have had him for life, but his contract was accidentally mailed out a day late; as a result he was granted free agency and trade his Red Sox for white ones.

1B: Adrian Gonzalez- The Sox have had some famous first basemen (Jimmie Foxx comes to mind), but A-Gon is a guy the Sox brass pursued for three years. He's been locked up for seven years and is so far off to a great start to his career in Boston.

2B: Bobby Doerr- I love Pedroia, but Bobby Doerr is Bobby Doerr. The man was the model of consistency with a bat. Anyone who's read The Teammates can't help but fall in love with the mild mannered man who was able to crack the secret of Ted Williams.

SS: Nomar Garciaparra- The Red Sox have some great shortstops, but for me the only name that has ever mattered was Nomah's. He was my favorite Boston player growing up, and for good reason. The tragedy is that he was kind of like Boston's Griffey Jr.; he could have been so much better, but injuries got the best of his talent.

3B: Wade Boggs- Boggs was a special kind of hitter. He was incredibly patient, but also had immense contact skills. He won five batting titles, lead the league in walks twice, and ended his career with 3010 hits.

LF: Ted Williams- does this one need any explaining? He was the best hitter the game ever knew, while being an infamous and honorable man. If he hadn't served his country he would probably hold all the records for hitting, but then he wouldn't be as special as he really is.

CF: Dom DiMaggio- another one that I picked purely out of my own personal love for this guy. Dom was a respectable hitter, but no where near as good as the other "Teammates," let alone his famous brother by the name of Joe. However, he was one of the best center fielders Fenway has ever seen; and, who could forget those glasses?

RF: Carl Yastrzemski- this one goes to my dad. Yaz has always been his favorite Sox player and I've grown to love him myself. He didn't have the clout of Williams, but the fans loved him just as much. He is also the last hitter to win the triple crown.


Pitching:
SP1: Pedro Martinez- take Lonborg's fearlessness, Tiant's fire, Schill's control, and what do you get? One Pedro Martinez. If the Field of Dreams does exist Babe Ruth better hope he's never got to face Pedro; if so he's gonna be sore in the morning. 

SP2: Curt Schilling- for me this guy is superman. Without his bloody sock the Sox might have never ended the curse, and he stuck around long enough to bring home another title in '07. Boston was a short stint in his long career, but without a doubt his most memorable.

SP3: Luis Tiant- how could anyone deny El Tiante from a best Red Sox list? The guy was a freak and once threw 163 pitches in a complete game. And who could forget that ridiculous windup?

SP4: Tim Wakefield- Wake actually holds the record for wins as a Red Sox pitcher at 193. The knuckleballer has spent all, but two seasons of his career in a Boston uniform. Though, his numbers haven't always been the best, Wake is still loved by all of Red Sox nation.

SP5: Jim Lonborg- Longborg led the Impossible Dream rotation and had one of his best seasons in '67 when he went 22-9 with 15 complete games. My favorite thing about Gentleman Jim: he owned the plate and would protect it against anyone.


RP: Jonathan Papelbon- Since 2007 Pap has tested the patience of every Sox fan. However, there's still a lot to love. His intensity sets the mound on fire, and in just seven seasons he's set the Red Sox career saves record (currently at 194 and counting).