Today is the 56th birthday of
Wade Anthony Boggs. For Red Sox fans of the 80s and early 90s, there was not another player on those teams who was more likely to get a hit. In fact, in his 11 Boston seasons,
The Chicken Man collected 2,098 hits (3,010 in his overall career). He had 200 or more hits in
seven of his eleven Red Sox years. He hit an astounding .338 while in
Carmine Hose, with a .428 on-base percentage (thanks to over 1,000 walks). And, in probably the most underrated stat in baseball, Boggs scored 1,067 runs for Boston—plating an amazing 128 times in 1988 alone. So, why hasn't
The NOG decided to retire Boggsy's #26 on the facade in right field? Good question. While there are several other oversights (e.g.,
Babe Ruth,
Tony Conigliaro), Boggs clearely meets all the requirements—save the obligatory final one-day Red Sox contract. Sure, he became a Yankee, but can you forget the sight of him crying in the dugout after the 1986 World Series loss? He bled Red Sox red. Retire his number.
