Excellent take. There are few Red Sox players I’ve enjoyed watching more than Jackie, and the overwhelming consensus is that he’s an incredibly good guy. The decision not to re-sign him was made a long time ago, regardless of the Sox’ public statements. It’s a good outcome for both Jackie and MIL.
Just one small nit to pick. As great as it was watching the Killer B’s, they are — at best — the 3rd-best OF in franchise history.
The line forms behind Rice-Lynn-Evans and Lewis-Speaker-Hooper.
Those are both great outfields, but at least now, I'm not going to entertain anyone before the live ball era. You're probably right about the other group, at least offensively, but I'll hold on to the idea that the 2018 outfield was better than the 1979 team or which ever year you want to point to being the best Rice/Lynn/Evans season.
I was just looking this up! JBJ was below average offensively in '18, so that hurts my argument, and I didn't see the late 70s teams play defense so that's hard for me to comment on one way or the other. I'll have to take your word for it, Walt!
If we’re talking singe-season, the 1977 OF is a contender. Rice was the DH that year, and Yaz played 140 games in the OF while having his last great offensive season. Combined, Yaz, Lynn and Evans won 19 Gold Gloves playing OF for the Sox.
Excellent take. There are few Red Sox players I’ve enjoyed watching more than Jackie, and the overwhelming consensus is that he’s an incredibly good guy. The decision not to re-sign him was made a long time ago, regardless of the Sox’ public statements. It’s a good outcome for both Jackie and MIL.
Just one small nit to pick. As great as it was watching the Killer B’s, they are — at best — the 3rd-best OF in franchise history.
The line forms behind Rice-Lynn-Evans and Lewis-Speaker-Hooper.
Those are both great outfields, but at least now, I'm not going to entertain anyone before the live ball era. You're probably right about the other group, at least offensively, but I'll hold on to the idea that the 2018 outfield was better than the 1979 team or which ever year you want to point to being the best Rice/Lynn/Evans season.
I didn’t realize we were talking about the best SINGLE-SEASON outfield. Even then, Beni and JBJ weren’t THAT great in 2018.
Evans and Lynn were elite, GG-winning defenders, in addition to being great hitters.
The funny thing about that trio is that they were rarely all great at the same time. Evans’ best offensive years all came after Lynn was traded.
I was just looking this up! JBJ was below average offensively in '18, so that hurts my argument, and I didn't see the late 70s teams play defense so that's hard for me to comment on one way or the other. I'll have to take your word for it, Walt!
If we’re talking singe-season, the 1977 OF is a contender. Rice was the DH that year, and Yaz played 140 games in the OF while having his last great offensive season. Combined, Yaz, Lynn and Evans won 19 Gold Gloves playing OF for the Sox.