Friday, October 26, 2018

All-Time Red Sox/Dodgers Lineup

Life is good. The World Series resumes tonight in Los Angeles with my Red Sox up 2-0. Here's hoping the magic continues!

I read an article earlier this week showcasing the greatest players that have played for both the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. This year's World Series is also the first where both managers played for both teams. I thought it would be fun to construct a basic lineup of players that have donned both uniforms.

Catcher: David Ross


2014 Topps Update #US-60 David Ross


2003 Upper Deck #590 David Ross

I recently picked up his autobiography at a library sale. I'm hoping it's a good read.

1st Baseman: Adrian Gonzalez


2011 Topps Update #US20 Adrian Gonzalez


2015 Topps Update #US172a Adrian Gonzalez

He was an All-Star for both teams, that makes him an easy inclusion!

2nd Baseman: Alex Cora


2006 Upper Deck #535 Alex Cora


2002 Topps Heritage #372 Alex Cora

This was a tough one to do, but in the end I decided to reward the current Red Sox manager.

Shortstop: Nomar Garciaparra


2002 Fleer Tradition Update
#U306 Nomar Garciaparra


2006 Topps Updates & Highlights
#UH244 Nomar Garciaparra

I completely forgot he was an All-Star with both teams too. Nomah!!!

3rd Baseman: Adrian Beltre


2010 Topps Update #US-328 Adrian Beltre


1999 Stadium Club #162 Adrian Beltre

Oh, what could have been had the Red Sox resigned him...

Left Fielder: Manny Ramirez


2005 Topps #362 Manny Ramirez


2008 Topps Updates & Highlights
#UH237 Manny Ramirez

Say what you will about him, he put the "fun" in dysfunctional.

Center Fielder: Reggie Smith


1968 Topps #61 Reggie Smith


1981 Topps #75 Reggie Smith

A very underrated player in his day.

Right Fielder: J.D. Drew


2008 Topps Updates & Highlights
#UH221 J.D. Drew


2005 Topps #498 J.D. Drew

What, you were expecting Carl Crawford?

Starting Pitcher: Pedro Martinez


2004 Topps World Champions
Boston Red Sox #53 Pedro Martinez


1994 Donruss #179 Pedro Martinez

Simultaneously one of the worst trades the Dodgers ever made, and one of the best the Red Sox ever made. 

Closer: Eric Gagne


2007 Topps Updates & Highlights
#UH130 Eric Gagne


2004 Topps #715 Eric Gagne

He fixed Craig Kimbrel! If the Red Sox win the World Series, they may want to consider giving him a cut of the playoff share.

Manager: Grady Little


2003 Topps #265 Grady Little


2006 Upper Deck #1103 Grady Little

Grady could lead this team to a Championship so long as he remembers to pull Pedro out after 100 pitches...


That's a lot of talent in this group, and it's even more impressive when you consider players that didn't make the cut - guys like Bill Buckner, Hideo Nomo, Hanley Ramirez, and the great Rickey Henderson come to mind, not to mention again the esteemed Dave Roberts!

Go Red Sox!

5 comments:

  1. Sweet team. First person I thought of was Nomah. After that Rickey and Manny.

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  2. It's amazing how connected these two franchises have been. And Eric Gagne's advice for Kimbrel was probably the best thing he ever did for the Sox.

    p.s. I hate to be that guy but the Sox got Pedro from Montreal, who got him from LA.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, I should have worded that better. I meant he'd appear on both lists, not that it was the same trade.

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  3. Great post! I never knew there were that many guys who played for the Red Sox and Dodgers. By the way, the David Ross autobiography is a great read. Enjoy the rest of tge World Series and the book when you get to it.

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  4. Awesome list! I was VERY late to the party reading this post.

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