9. Mike Lowell
A product of the New York Yankees organization, Mike Lowell made it to the parent club late in 1998, appearing in eight Games. The loaded Yanks traded Lowell to Miami for three players, and Lowell would become their starter at the hot corner the following year.
Lowell may never have been the elite Third Baseman of the NL, but there was a time where he was in that upper-tier. He had his first 20 HR year in 2000 and would then have three straight from 2002 to 2004, all of which earned Lowell a trip to the All-Star Game. His best season as a Marlin was 2003, where he posted career-bests in Home Runs (32), RBIs (105), Slugging (.530) and OPS (.881). Lowell was a Silver Slugger this year, 11th in MVP voting, but more importantly, aided Florida in winning their second World Series.
After having a down year offensively in 2005, (though he did win his first and only Gold Glove), Lowell was traded to the Red Sox. With the Marlins, Lowell produced 965 Hits, 143 Home Runs with a Batting Average of .272.
The Boston Red Sox announce their 2018 HOF Class
The Red Sox have announced that Derek Lowe, Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell will be the newest members, all of which were members of recent World Series wins for the Sox. John “Buck” Freeman and Alphonso Green were also chosen.
A member of the Red Sox from 1997 to 2004, Derek Lowe would split time between the starting role and the bullpen for his first two years before securing the closing role in 2000. It was an All Star season for Lowe, as he would lead the American League in Games Finished and Saves. 2001 was not as kind as he lost the closer’s role and was relegated to set-up and middle relief roles but a return to the starting rotation in 2002 would produce the best regular season of Derek Lowe’s career. The sinkerball specialist went 21 and 8 with a 0.974 WHIP and notably pitched a no-hitter at Fenway. Lowe made a second All Star Team and finished third in Cy Young voting.
Lowe followed up with solid campaigns in both 2003 and 2004 and was a large contributor in the 2004 World Series Championship as he went 3 and 0 in that post season. Lowe is 70 and 55 with a 19.8 bWAR as a member of the Boston Red Sox.
Kevin Youkilis was also a member of the 2004 World Series team, though it was in his first year and he was not a major contributor for that team. Youkilis would become the Red Sox’ starting First Basemen in 2006 and would go to three All Star Games and earn a Gold Glove and was vital in the 2007 World Series win. Youkilis would have a Slash Line of .287/.388/,487 with 133 Home Runs and a bWAR of 31.4 with Boston.
Youkilis was originally a Third Basemen, but he was moved to First, due to the arrival of the third Hall of Famer, Mike Lowell. Arriving as a Free Agent from The Florida Marlins, Lowell took over at the “Hot Corner” and brought a balanced attach of offense and defensive skill. Lowell was with Boston for five seasons (2006-11) and by far his 2007 campaign was his greatest ever.
No only was Mike Lowell named to the American League All Star Team, he would also finish 5th in MVP voting. Lowell’s regular season production accelerated in the post season where he batted .333 in both the ALDS and ALCS and was named the 2007 World Series MVP with a .400/.500/.800 Slash Line.
John “Buck” Freeman played for the then named Boston Americans from 1901 to 1907. He helped Boston win the World Series in 1903 and he was a two time RBI leader. He had 879 Hits with Boston in his career.
Alphonso “Al” Green has spent the last 44 years with the team working in the Fan’s Services Department for most of it. He is 90 years old.
The newest members of the Hall will be honored at a gala on May 24, 2018.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the latest members of the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame.