Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Boston Red Sox: Top 5 franchise players of the 1990s

By Jason Haskins

16 Oct 1999: John Valentin #13 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates during the ALCS game three against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 13-1. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
16 Oct 1999: John Valentin #13 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates during the ALCS game three against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 13-1. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Boston Red Sox Nomar Garciapara (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox Nomar Garciapara (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /

Nomar Garciaparra

Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra endeared himself to Boston Red Sox fans from the get-go and many figured he’d be a cornerstone of the team for life.

“Life” turned out to be until the middle of the 2004 season, but Garciaparra’s time in Boston was productive, including in the 1990s.

Nomar, or “Nomah!”, as he’s generally referred to, arrived in Boston in 1996, but it was 1997-99 in which Garciaparra had all the right swings. He started thins off right by winning the A.L Rookie of the Year in 1997.

Garciaparra hit above .300 in those three seasons, leading the league in 1999 with a .357 average. He was more than just hit for average, also delivering in the power and run production department.

Garciaparra had 96 home runs between ’96 and ’99 with a total of 340 RBI. He knocked 11 triples in the ’97 season and was an All-Star in 1997 and 1999.

It was in 1998, however, in which Garciaparra had perhaps his finest season in the 1990s. The young shortstop had 35 home runs and 122 RBI while also batting .323. These numbers were part of the reason why Garciaparra finished second in the A.L. MVP race.

In 13 games in the postseason during this decade, Garciaparra’s was the same player, hitting seven home runs, driving in 20 and batting .383.

Home/Red Sox All-Time Lists