Boston Red Sox legends: Fred Lynn and his fabulous MLB journey
A double award-winner
Winning the Rookie of the Year award is one thing, but capping it off with an MVP award is an impressive feat. Fred Lynn did exactly that in 1975, becoming the first player to ever do so and still only one of two players to accomplish it. (Ichiro Suzuki is the other).
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Perhaps even more impressive is that Lynn was in direct competition for both awards with teammate Jim Rice. Lynn pulled off the victory as Rice finished third in MVP-voting and second for Rookie of the Year.
Lynn led the league in runs scored (103), doubles (47), OPS (.967), and slugging percentage (.566). He also hit .331 while swatting 21 home runs and driving in 105. To show he was also fleet of foot, Lynn had 7 triples.
The rookie also had probably one of the more unforgettable games of his career when hit three home runs and 10 RBI in a June game against the Detroit Tigers.
Rice had very similar season numbers as Lynn and went on to become one of Boston’s all-time greatest hitters, but ’75 was Lynn’s year. Lynn was consistent during his time in Boston and his 1979 year might have been better, minus the lack of awards.
Lynn hit .333 that season with 39 home runs and 122 RBI. There was also league-leading numbers in slugging (.637), OPS (1.023), and OBP (.423). Despite the better numbers, Lynn was fourth in MVP voting, losing out to Don Baylor of the team formerly known as the California Angels.
Like many Boston players prior (and after) him, Lynn’s playoff appearances were rare, making it to the promised land only once during his Boston career.