'My favorite' Nine: The Red Sox

One of my favorite web sites, Fire Brand of the American League, recently ran an article about one writer's favorite Red Sox of all-time. I've had that conversation in my head many times (yes, I know, it's a little weird that I have conversations in head), but since I have my own blog, I can do things like this.

c-Jason Varitek (97-current). The captain is definitely my favorite catcher, despite that bad year in 2008. He always seemed to get big hits at the right time in 2004 and 2007. And to think we traded Heathcliffe Slocumb to get Tek and Derek Lowe. Thanks Seattle.

1b-Mo Vaughn (91-98). Though Youk is my favorite player right now, Mo was awesome. He declined rapidly during his non-Red Sox years, but he was great in Boston. He slugged better than .550 from 1993 to 98. And I once saw him at Celtics game. He was a big dude.

2b-Jody Reed (87-92). This was a tough one. As much as I wanted to say Pedroia, Reed ended up as my choice because Pedroia's a little too new. Over his three season peak, Reed hit 40+ doubles each season, and had on OBP higher than .349. Of course, he never hit more than 5 HRs in a season, and never slugged above .400 in a full season. But I really liked the doubles machine, so he makes the list.

3b-Bill Mueller (03-05). This gamer had his career season with the Sox in 2003 (326-398-540) and two very good ones. He was solid with the glove (especially in 2003), and got big hits along the way to Boston's big 2004 World Series victory. Honorable Mention: Wade Boggs.

ss-Nomar Garciaparra (97-04). This was the easiest call of the list. From his Rookie of the Year season in 1997 to his last full season with the Sox, he was easily the best shortstop in baseball not named Alex. Don't think so? His peak from 98-00 was the second best statistical run of any shortstop ever (besides the aforementioned A-Rod). Jeter may end of having more career value, but Nomar was the better player (in the box and in the field) at their primes.

lf-Mike Greenwell (85-96). This was one of the toughest calls, as I bypassed Manny because his departure still bothers me. I loved Greenwell when I was a kid -- and he had two awesome seasons for the Sox (87, 88) and a few more good ones. He deteriorated quickly after he turned 30, but I have a lot of fond memories.

cf-Ellis Burks (87-92). He may have had his best years after he left Boston, but Burks was another one of my favorites. He never truly fulfilled his promise, but he was a pretty darned good cf for three seasons (88-90). In case you're wondering: Johnny Damon is dead to me.

rf-Dwight Evans (72-90). RF has been an interesting position for the Sox since I moved to Boston as a kid in 1987. Dewey, Tom Brunansky, Troy O'Leary, Trot Nixon, and now J.D. Drew. No one has been able to replace Dewey, and some of my first memories in Fenway revolve around seeing him patrolling rf from my seat in the bleachers. I also just noticed I picked the starting OF from 1988.

dh-David Ortiz (97-current). This one was easy. Big Papi helped bring in two world championships and is a joy to watch swing the bat. Who'd you think I was going to pick, Jack Clark?

sp-Pedro Martinez (98-04). Another slam dunk. I was recently watching the new MLB Network and they counted down the 9 best pitching seasons of all-time. Pedro's 1999 came out on top, and they said his 2000 was possibly even better. Sox fan's were blessed to see one of the greatest pitchers of all-time at his absolute best.

sp-Roger Clemens (84-96). This one was tough because of the recent revelations about the Rocket, but from his magical 1986 season until he signed as a free agent with Toronto, each of his starts was an event. I remember sitting in the bleachers one game as he warmed up to pitch. My sister and I were completely amazed at his abilities. It was just really cool to watch him up close, and (like Pedro) you knew you were watching baseball greatness.

rp-Jonathan Papelbon (05-current). Most Sox relievers, even the good ones, have postseason heartbreak on their resumes. Not only did Paps deliver one of the greatest seasons ever by a reliever in 2006, he's also pitched 25 scoreless postseason innings in his career, including two wins and seven saves (move over, Mariano). Honorable mention goes to Keith Foulke, who's awesome 2004 season and postseason brought us our first modern World Series title. He probably destroyed his career with that season (he was only 31), so I will forever be grateful.

Coming up next, my favorite all-time baseball team, non-Red Sox version.