Back in 2018 when the Red Sox and Dodgers were battling in the World Series, I
thought it would be fun to construct a basic
lineup of players that have donned both uniforms. It was a fun enough exercise that when the Washington Nationals won the
following year, I did it again. (Not only did I do the Nationals, I even did a
separate lineup for their old franchise, the Expos!) Doing another Dodgers
lineup wasn't appealing last year (Adding Mookie Betts would have been the
only change), and I never got around to doing any other team. With the season
now over it seems like the perfect time to do a lineup of players who have
donned the uniforms for both the Red Sox and Braves!
First of all, a disclaimer: I stuck with just the Atlanta years in my search. As much as I would love to add Babe Ruth and Cy Young to this list, it just didn't seem right to have Boston Braves with Boston Red Sox.
First of all, a disclaimer: I stuck with just the Atlanta years in my search. As much as I would love to add Babe Ruth and Cy Young to this list, it just didn't seem right to have Boston Braves with Boston Red Sox.
Catcher: Jarrod Saltalamacchia
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2007 Topps Allen & Ginter #189 Jarrod Saltalamacchia (RC) |
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2013 Topps #301 Jarrod Saltalamacchia |
The longest last name in Major League history started his career as a first
round pick for the Braves, and eventually he became a member of the 2013 World
Champion Red Sox team.
1st Baseman: Nick Esasky
Esasky is a prime example of a star burning bright before burning out. In his one season with the Red Sox, he had a career year and even received some down-ballot MVP votes. He parlayed that great season into a nice contract with the Braves. Unfortunately, he only lasted 9 games, forced to retire because of a bout of vertigo.
2nd Baseman: Mark Lemke
1st Baseman: Nick Esasky
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1990 Upper Deck #758 Nick Esasky |
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1989 Topps Traded #T29 Nick Esasky |
Esasky is a prime example of a star burning bright before burning out. In his one season with the Red Sox, he had a career year and even received some down-ballot MVP votes. He parlayed that great season into a nice contract with the Braves. Unfortunately, he only lasted 9 games, forced to retire because of a bout of vertigo.
2nd Baseman: Mark Lemke
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1990 Topps #451 Mark Lemke |
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1998 Pacific Online #118 Mark Lemke |
Mark Lemke was a constant lineup presence during the Braves 90's dynasty. He
spent his last season in Boston, where a concussion prematurely ended his
career.
Shortstop: Edgar Rentaria
Shortstop: Edgar Rentaria
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2006 Topps Updates & Highlights #UH231 Edgar Rentaria |
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2005 Bowman Heritage #15 Edgar Rentaria |
Signed after the 2004 season to a 4 year contract, Rentaria struggled in
Boston both offensively and defensively. He lasted one year before being
traded to Atlanta and regaining his All-Star level of play.
3rd Baseman: Pablo Sandoval
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2021 Topps Update #US313 Pablo Sandoval |
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2015 Topps #650 Pablo Sandoval |
Continuing with big contract free agents who struggled in Boston and quickly
wore out there welcome, the "Kung Fu Panda" is most remembered by Red Sox fans
for getting caught liking Instagram photos during a game. He'll be awarded his
4th World Series ring after the Braves victory, even though he didn't finish
the season with them.
Left Fielder: Jonny Gomes
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2015 Topps Heritage #572 Jonny Gomes |
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2014 Topps #149 Jonny Gomes World Series Game 4 (WS) |
Jonny makes his second appearance in my lists, having made the team for the
all-time Nationals/Red Sox lineup. A World Series hero for the Red Sox, he
played half a season for the Braves.
Center Fielder: Otis Nixon
Center Fielder: Otis Nixon
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1992 Donruss #33 Otis Nixon (HL) |
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1994 Flair #265 Otis Nixon |
The Braves' single season stolen base leader spent one nondescript year
playing for the Red Sox.
Right Fielder: J.D. Drew
Right Fielder: J.D. Drew
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2004 Donruss Studio #21 J.D. Drew |
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2007 Upper Deck World Series Champions Boston Red Sox #MM3 J.D. Drew (MM) |
J.D. Drew is also a former lineup member, having made the Dodgers/Red Sox lineup, although to be fair if I were updating that list now, he'd probably
get booted for Mookie Betts.
Starting Pitcher: John Smoltz
We finally have a Hall of Fame player! Although to be fair his half season in Boston won't be remembered quite as fondly as his Braves tenure.
Closer: Craig Kimbrel
Starting Pitcher: John Smoltz
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1990 Upper Deck #84 John Smoltz (CL) |
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2009 Topps #355 John Smoltz |
We finally have a Hall of Fame player! Although to be fair his half season in Boston won't be remembered quite as fondly as his Braves tenure.
Closer: Craig Kimbrel
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2012 Topps Update #US268 Craig Kimbrel (AS) |
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2019 Stadium Club #270 Craig Kimbrel |
Kimbrel was a star for the Braves, and a star for the Red Sox, making 7
All-Star appearances in the 8 years he spent between the two teams. A few more
solid years as a closer and we might have another Hall of Famer here.
Designated Hitter/Pinch Hitter: Orlando Cepeda
I was tempted to make this Hall of Famer the first baseman of my list, but he never played that position for Boston, becoming their first ever designated hitter!
Designated Hitter/Pinch Hitter: Orlando Cepeda
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1970 Topps #555 Orlando Cepeda |
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1974 Topps #83 Orlando Cepeda |
I was tempted to make this Hall of Famer the first baseman of my list, but he never played that position for Boston, becoming their first ever designated hitter!
For two storied franchises, I'm surprised this lineup didn't pack more of a
punch. Just a couple of Hall Of Famers, a few All-Stars - I think Kimbrel was
the only guy who was at his peak playing for both teams.
I've often thought of trying to put together a list of the players who are most connected with two teams--players who were big stars on both. Some pairs have really obvious ones--Dodgers/Mets would be Mike Piazza, for example, and Reds/Orioles would be Frank Robinson. It's interesting that here you have two franchises that have been around since the early days, and there's really no such signature star. Even if you go back to the Boston Braves days, I don't know who it would be. (Obviously Ruth and Young are great players, but they both only played with the Braves at the very end of their careers. Young would be Red Sox and the old NL Cleveland team; Ruth is of course foremost a Yankee.) I guess Kimbrel, but that's kind of sad.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between me collecting cards (1994)and being out of the hobby (1998) can be found in Otis Nixon and Mark Lemke's brief appearances with the Red Sox. I was aware of Nixon's but Lemke's is a new one on me.
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