Award History: Rookie of the Year

I am going to do something a bit different with the major awards.  Since we have voting results, I figured it might be a little more interesting to look at Red Sox players who received votes each year.  With the MVP, I might have to cut it off at a certain number though.  

So, let's start with the Rookie of the Year, which has been given out since 1947.  The first two seasons, there was only one award, then they gave one out to each league.

1948

BILLY GOODMAN: 4th - tie

Goodman, who was renowned for his versatility, played almost exclusively at first base in his rookie season.  He tied for fourth place in the Rookie of the Year vote with A's pitcher Lou Brissie.  The winner was Alvin Dark of the Boston Braves.  Goodman hit .310/.414/.387 and was a very good contact hitter throughout his career.  He did not have much power and hit just one home run, but hit 27 doubles.  He also walked 74 times compared to just 44 walks.  Goodman won the batting titled in 1950 and had a career .300 batting average.  He was a two-time All Star with the Red Sox and picked up MVP votes in several seasons.  Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn finished third in the vote.

1950

WALT DROPO: 1st

Boston's first Rookie of the Year winner was the gigantic first-baseman Dropo, from Moosup, CT.  Dropo had some massive power, hitting 34 home runs, 28 doubles, and a surprising eight triples.  He led the league in total bases (326) and tied for the league lead in RBIs with teammate Vern Stephens (144).  Dropo hit .322/.378/.583 and was an All Star for the only time in his career.  Unfortunately, he never came close to these numbers again throughout his career.  Whitey Ford finished a distant second place in the vote.

1952

SAMMY WHITE: 3rd

Red Sox catcher White finished third in the vote in 1952 behind A's pitcher Harry Byrd and Browns catcher Clint Courtney.  This vote really could have gone in any direction as no one really stood out.  White hit .281/.310/.423 with ten home runs, 49 RBIs and 20 doubles.  He had more power than Courtney, but a slightly lower average.  Byrd won 15 games, but also lost 15 and had a 3.31 ERA.  White was Boston's starting catcher for much of the 1950's and was an All Star in 1953.

1953

TOM UMPHLETT: 2nd

Coming in a very distant second to Tigers star Harvey Kuenn was Red Sox center fielder Umphlett.  In his only season with the Red Sox, Umphlett hit .283/.331/.376 with three home runs, 27 doubles, five triples, 59 RBIs and four stolen bases.  Umphlett walked more than he struck out (34 to 30) and notched 140 hits with 53 runs scored.  He was traded after the season along with Mickey McDermott to the Senators for Jackie Jensen, which was a big upgrade for Boston.  Umphlett played just two more seasons in the Majors, declining significantly.

1955

BILLY KLAUS: 2nd

Indians phenom Herb Score won the award in 1955 by going 16-5 with a 2.85 ERA and a league-leading 245 strikeouts, but surprisingly did not win the award unanimously.  Shortstop Klaus, who was with his fifth organization already, came out of nowhere to hit .283/.351/.377 with 153 hits, 83 runs scored, 26 doubles, seven home runs and 60 RBIs.  He put up similar numbers the next season, but steadily declined every year after that.  Klaus was fairly versatile and played quite a bit at third base, even being the primary starter there in 1956.  

NORM ZAUCHIN: 3rd

Boston had a pair of rookies pick up votes in 1955.  First-baseman Zauchin hit 27 home runs and drove in 93 runs while hitting .239/.335/.430.  He also hit ten doubles, scored 65 runs and stole three bases.  Zauchin never played in 100 games the rest of his career and did not come close to his power output in 1955.  He would eventually be traded to the Senators for Pete Runnels, another time Boston fleeced the Washington franchise.

1957

FRANK MALZONE: 2nd

I have discussed this travesty of a vote before.  The issue here is that Yankees officials pushed for a change in the definition of "rookie" during the season to exclude players who had 100 prior plate appearances.  Under today's rules, Malzone would have still qualified as a rookie in 1957.  Malzone had better numbers than winner Tony Kubek of the Yankees.  Malzone hit .292/.323/.427 with 15 home runs, 103 RBIs, 185 hits, 31 doubles and 82 runs scored.  He was an All Star and won the Gold Glove at the hot corner.  Kubek hit .297/.335/.381 with three home runs and 39 RBIs.  Malzone was one of the best third-basemen in Red Sox history, being named to six All Star games and winning three Gold Gloves.  

1961

DON SCHWALL: 1st

Boston's second Rookie of the Year winner was the righty starting pitcher Schwall.  The 25-year-old came up and had a record of 15-7 with a 3.22 ERA.  In 25 games, he pitched 178.2 innings, striking out 91 while walking 110.  He completed ten games and threw two shutouts.  Schwall led the league in home runs per nine innings, giving up just eight on the entire season.  Schwall made the All Star team in 1961.  He was never quite this good again though and was traded to the Pirates after 1962 in the deal that brought Dick "Dr. Strangeglove" Stuart to Boston.

CHUCK SCHILLING: 3rd - tie

The Red Sox second-baseman also garnered some Rookie of the Year votes.  He played in 158 games, leading the league in plate appearances (738) while hitting .259/.340/.327 with 87 runs scored, 167 hits, 25 doubles, five home runs, 62 RBIs and seven stolen bases.  He drew 78 walks compared to 77 strikeouts and had a steady glove.  Schilling's bat would decline a bit the next few years, though he was always decent with the glove.  He spent all five years of his Major League career with the Red Sox.  Among other players receiving votes in 1961 was future Royals manager Dick Howser.  Oddly, Boston had another rookie in 1961 who did not receive any Rookie of the Year votes, but would be one of the greatest Red Sox of all time.  That player was Carl Yastrzemski.

1962

DICK RADATZ: 3rd - tie

"The Monster" was an intimidating presence on the mound when he came into the game in relief.  In 1962, he finished third in the Rookie of the Year vote after leading the league in games (62), games finished (53) and saves (24).  He had a 9-6 record with a 2.24 ERA and struck out 144 batters while walking 40 in 124.2 innings pitched.  Radatz was a two-time All Star and the first true relief ace in Red Sox history.  The winner of the vote was the Yankees' Tom Tresh.

1966

GEORGE SCOTT: 3rd - tie

"Boomer" was the Red Sox first-baseman in 1966 and led the league in a couple of dubious categories: strikeouts (152) and double plays (25), but it was definitely not all bad for him.  Scott hit .245/.324/.433 with 27 home runs and 90 RBIs.  He also had 147 hits, 73 runs scored, 18 doubles, seven triples and four stolen bases.  He was an All Star in 1966 and would be an All Star three times in his career, twice with Boston.  He was an exceptional fielder and won eight Gold Gloves, three with the Red Sox.  The winner of the Rookie of the Year was White Sox outfielder Tommie Agee.  Davey Johnson also received votes.

1967

REGGIE SMITH: 2nd

Finishing a distant second in the Rookie of the Year vote to future Hall of Famer Rod Carew, Smith actually had significantly better power numbers and was a more dynamic defensive player.  Carew had him beat considerably in the rate stats though.  Smith hit .246/.315/.389 with 139 hits, 78 runs scored, 24 doubles, six triples, 15 home runs, 61 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.  Smith would go on to make seven All Star games in his career, two with the Red Sox, and win his only Gold Glove with Boston.  He is a borderline Hall of Famer who could actually get elected if he could just get on an Eras Committee ballot.

1969

MIKE NAGY: 2nd

In a fairly close vote that easily could have gone the other way, righty starter Nagy finished second to Royals outfielder and future longtime manager Lou Piniella.  Piniella had a decent, but not particularly outstanding season.  Nagy pitched in 33 games, starting 28 of them, and had a sparkling record of 12-2 with a 3.11 ERA.  He threw 196.2 innings, striking out 84, but walking 106.  Nagy completed seven games and threw a shutout.  Unfortunately, injuries curtailed his career and he never came close to these numbers again and also never threw more than 130 innings the rest of his career.

1971

DOUG GRIFFIN: 4th

In another season without a clear winner, the smooth-fielding second-baseman Griffin finished fourth, primarily on the strength of his defense.  Indians outfielder Chris Chambliss won the award, but did not have an eye-catching season.  Griffin hit .244/.291/.319 with 23 doubles, two triples and three home runs.  He also contributed 51 runs scored, 27 RBIs and eleven stolen bases.  Griffin would be a regular for a couple more seasons and win a Gold Glove, but his hitting was not enough to keep him in the lineup.

1972

CARLTON FISK: 1st (Unanimous)

The first American League unanimous selection for Rookie of the Year was Fisk, who was Boston's third Rookie of the Year winner.  Fisk hit .293/.370/.538 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs as Boston's catcher.  He also notched 134 hits, 28 doubles, stole five bases and led the league with nine triples.  Fisk made the All Star team, the first of eleven (seven with Boston), and won his only Gold Glove.  Fisk would go on to a Hall of Fame career, a memorable home run in the World Series, and wears a Red Sox cap on his plaque.

1974

RICK BURLESON: 4th

Like Griffin above, Burleson was primarily notable for his defense.  Unlike Griffin, Burleson could hit a little as well.  He was a dynamic offensive threat and his defense was definitely his strength, but Burleson was the quintessential guy who could do all the little things.  In 1974, he hit .284/.320/.372 with 109 hits, 36 runs scored, 22 doubles, four home runs, 44 RBIs and three stolen bases in 114 games.  Burleson would be Boston's starting shortstop through 1980 and was named to four All Star games in his career, three with Boston.  His career was derailed by injuries after 1981.  The winner in 1974 was Mike Hargrove, "The Human Rain Delay".  Future Hall of Famer Gieorge Brett finished third.

1975

FRED LYNN: 1st

Lynn was a near-unanimous selection for Rookie of the Year (one voter split his vote).  The center-fielder was a five tool player who led the league in runs scored (103), doubles (47) and slugging percentage (.566).  He hit .331/.401/.566 with 21 home runs, 105 RBIs, ten stolen bases and had 175 hits and seven triples.  Lynn was named to the All Star team and won a Gold Glove.  It was one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time and he was the first player to win both the Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.  Lynn's career was impacted by injuries, otherwise he could have been a Hall of Famer.  He was an All Star nine times, including six with Boston, and won four Gold Gloves, all with Boston.

JIM RICE: 2nd

The aforementioned split vote had Rice appearing with his teammate on one ballot.  Rice actually had very similar numbers to Lynn, but only led him in home runs.  Rice hit .309/.350/.491 with 174 hits, 92 runs scored, 29 doubles, four triples, 22 home runs, ten stolen bases and 102 RBIs.  Rice was also not nearly as dynamic in the field and missed some time late in the season with an injury.  The biggest difference is that the best was yet to come for Rice as he would become one of the premier power threats in the league, eventually winning an MVP award himself, being named to eight All Star teams, winning two Silver Sluggers and eventually being named to the Hall of Fame.  Rice spent his entire career with the Red Sox.

1980

DAVE STAPLETON: 2nd

1980 was the year of "Super" Joe Charboneau.  The Indians outfielder was a sensation that season, but is a great example of a rookie fluke.  Stapleton played primarily at second base in 1980 and came in second in the Rookie of the Year vote.  He topped Charboneau in batting average and hits, but nothing else.  Stapleton hit .321/.338/.463 with seven home runs and 45 RBIs, notching 144 hits, 33 doubles and 61 runs scored.  Stapleton's numbers steadily declined each season after that to the point where he was primarily a defensive replacement in his last couple of seasons.  Notably, he usually replaced Bill Buckner at first base in 1986 but was on the bench during the final innings of Game 6 of the World Series.

1981

RICH GEDMAN: 2nd

Gedman replaced Carlton Fisk at catcher for the Red Sox in 1981 after the team failed to tender him a contract in time.  Gedman played in just 62 games, but it was a strike-shortened season.  He hit .288/.317/.434 with five home runs and 26 RBIs and also accumulated 15 doubles, 59 hits and 22 runs scored.  Gedman would go on to be the team's primary catcher for most of the 1980's and appear in two All Star games.  The winner in 1981 was Yankees pitcher Dave Righetti, who was more of a starter at the time, but would go on to great success as a reliever.

BOB OJEDA: 3rd

1981 was another year Boston had two rookies garnering votes as southpaw starter Ojeda finished third in the race.  Ojeda started ten games, pitching 66.1 innings to an ERA of 3.12.  He had a record of 6-2 and struck out 28 batters while walking 25.  Among his ten games pitched were two complete games.  Ojeda would pitch a few more seasons with the Red Sox before being traded to the Mets.  He had a lengthy career and received some Cy Young consideration in 1986 with the Mets, but was never an All Star.

1982

WADE BOGGS: 3rd

Boston had the 1981 batting champ at third base coming into 1982, but Carney Lansford had some injury issues and the stage was set for Boggs who came out hitting and never stopped.  Boggs finished third in the Rookie of the Year vote behind fellow future Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and Twins first-baseman Kent Hrbek.  Boggs did not have Ripken's or Hrbek's power, but he was a much more accomplished contact hitter, hitting .349/.406/.441 with five home runs, 14 doubles, 51 runs scored, 118 hits and 44 RBIs.  Boggs would go on to win five batting titles and post seven straight 200 hit seasons.  He was an All Star 12 times in his career, including eight times with Boston.  He won eight Silver Sluggers, six with Boston, and two Gold Gloves.  He was inducted in the Hall of Fame on his first ballot and wears a Red Sox cap on his plaque.

1984

ROGER CLEMENS: 6th

Clemens made his Major League debut less than a year after being drafted in the first round.  He did not pitch much in his first season, but gave some glimpses of the outstanding career he would have.  He pitched in 21 games, starting 20 of them, and had a record of 9-4 and a 4.32 ERA in 133.1 innings pitched, striking out 126 and walking 29.  He threw five complete games and one shutout.  Clemens would go on to a terrific career, winning seven Cy Young Awards (three with Boston), one MVP, and being named to eleven All Star teams, five with Boston.  Alvin Davis of the Mariners won the Rookie of the Year in 1984.

AL NIPPER: 7th - tie

Boston had another decent rookie starter in 1984 with Nipper.  Nipper appeared in more games than Clemens, pitching 29 games, with 24 starts.  He had a record of 11-6 with a 3.89 ERA in 182.2 innings, striking out 84 and walking 52.  He threw six complete games and finished three games in relief.  Nipper would not have nearly as good of a career as his rookie teammate though.  His ERA climbed each of the next three seasons and he was eventually traded in the deal that brought Lee Smith to Boston.

1987

MIKE GREENWELL: 4th

Greenwell had the highest batting average of any rookie in 1987, but this was the year Mark McGwire hit 49 home runs.  As a rookie.  It was a pretty easy decision.  Greenwell hit .328/.386/.570 with 19 home runs and 89 RBIs in his rookie season.  In addition, he had 135 hits, 31 doubles, six triples and five stolen bases.  Greenwell would spent his entire Major League career with the Red Sox and was an All Star twice and won a Silver Slugger.  He came in second in the MVP vote in 1988.  Oddly enough, Ellis Burks, who was also a rookie in 1987, received no votes even though he had a 20/20 season.

1988

JODY REED: 3rd

The only thing I can think of to explain how Reed finished third in the vote to A's shortstop Walt Weiss is that Weiss played in quite a few more games.  Reed had more runs, walks and significantly better rate stats, but played in 109 games compared to Weiss's 147.  Reed hit .293/.380/.376 with 99 hits, 60 runs scored, 23 doubles, one triple, one home run, 28 RBIs and one stolen base.  Reed spent several seasons in Boston and led the league in doubles in 1990.  He had a lengthy career, but was never an All Star.

1991

PHIL PLANTIER: 8th - tie

Plantier played in just 53 games in 1991, but he was extremely impressive down the stretch.  He hit .331/.420/.615 with eleven home runs and 35 RBIs.  He had 49 hits, 27 doubles, a triple and a stolen base.  Of course his limited games was nowhere near enough to get him the award over the Twins Chuck Knoblauch.  Plantier was disappointing in 1992 and was traded to the Padres before the 1993 season.  He hit 34 home runs that year, but declined after that.

1993

AARON SELE: 3rd

Boston's first round draft pick in 1991, Sele had a very good stretch run in 1993.  He came up around mid-season and pitched in 18 games, starting each one of them.  Sele had a record of 7-2 with a 2.74 ERA in 111.2 innings pitched.  He struck out 93 batters while walking 48.  Sele had a better ERA than second-place vote-getter Jason Bere, but pitched in fewer games with fewer innings.  The Angels Tim Salmon won the award though.  Sele had a 15-year career in the Majors and was an All Star twice after leaving Boston.

1997

NOMAR GARCIAPARRA: 1st (Unanimous)

Garciaparra had one of the greatest rookie seasons in Red Sox history.  The shortstop led the league in at-bats (684), hits (209) and triples (11).  He hit .306/.342/.534 with 30 home runs, 98 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.  Garciaparra also had 122 runs scored and 44 doubles.  He was also an All Star and won the Silver Slugger in his rookie season.  Garciaparra would go on to be an All Star six times, five with Boston, and win two batting titles with the Red Sox.  He is one of the best shortstops in team history, if not the best.  Unfortunately, injuries derailed his career, otherwise he would be looking at a Hall of Fame career.  He could still make it in one day.

1999

BRIAN DAUBACH: 4th

Probably one of the most random Red Sox players to receive Rookie of the Year votes, Daubach was a 27-year-old rookie in his third organization and had once been a replacement player.  Daubach went on a tear down the stretch, which garnered him some attention and allowed him to finish fourth in the Rookie of the Year vote.  He hit .294/.360/.562 with 21 home runs and 73 RBIs.  He had 61 runs scored, 112 hits, 33 doubles and three triples.  The winner in 1999 was Royals outfielder Carlos Beltran.

TROT NIXON: 9th

Right-fielder Nixon also received votes in 1999.  Well, one vote.  Nixon was a heralded prospect after being drafted early in the first round in 1993.  In his first extended look in the Majors, Nixon hit .270/.357/.472 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs.  He had 103 hits, 67 runs scored, 22 doubles, five triples and three stolen bases.  Nixon would be a productive member of the team for several seasons, putting up particularly good numbers from 2001-2003.

2006

JONATHAN PAPELBON: 2nd

Papelbon had one of the best seasons by a Red Sox closer in his rookie season.  He could have done even better in the vote had he not been shut down in the last month of the season.  He was an All Star in 2006.  Papelbon pitched in 59 games, finishing 49 of them.  He had a record of 4-2 and saved 35 games.  Papelbon pitched 68.1 innings, giving up just seven earned runs for an ERA of 0.92.  He struck out 75 batters and walked 13.  Papelbon is one of the best closers in Red Sox history, holding the team record for career saves and was an All Star six times in his career, four times in Boston.  Papelbon finished second to unanimous winner Justin Verlander.

2007

DUSTIN PEDROIA: 1st

It was widely predicted that Boston would have the Rookie of the Year in 2007, but Pedroia was not the player that was predicted.  The second-baseman was a great fielder, but also hit a little.  Pedroia hit .317/.380/.442 in 139 games.  He had 165 hits, 86 runs scored, 39 doubles, eight home runs, 50 RBIs and seven stolen bases.  He walked 47 times, compared to 42 strikeouts.  Pedroia spent his entire career with the Red Sox and was a league MVP, went to four All Star games, won four Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger.

DAISUKE MATSUZAKA: 4th

Matsuzaka was the player many assumed would win the Rookie of the Year in 2007.  Matsuzaka had a good year though, making 32 starts and pitching 204.2 innings with a record of 15-12 and an ERA of 4.40.  He struck out 201 and walked 80 and threw one complete game.  Matsuzaka was a highly-touted and expensive addition to the Red Sox starting rotation.  He did not really live up to the contract as injuries took their toll.  He was largely disappointing other than a really good 2008 season.

HIDEKI OKAJIMA: 6th

What's this?  THREE Red Sox rookies getting votes?  Okajima was signed from Japan primarily to give Matsuzaka someone on the team to relate to, but he turned into an incredibly valuable reliever.  The lefty middle reliever made it into 66 games, throwing 69 innings with a 2.22 ERA and a record of 3-2.  He saved five games and struck out 63 batters while walking just 17, remarkable considering his pitching motion ended with him looking down at the ground while he delivered the ball.  Okajima was named to the All Star team in 2007, his only such honor, but he was a reliable bullpen arm for a few years in Boston.

2008

JACOBY ELLSBURY: 3rd

Ellsbury caused a sensation with his play in the last month of the 2007 season and his play in the postseason.  Expectations were high for him in 2008, his official rookie season.  He was decent, but not quite as good as expected.  Ellsbury led the league in stolen bases (50) and hit .280/.336/.394 with 155 hits, 98 runs scored, 22 doubles, seven triples, nine home runs and 47 RBIs.  The next season he would set the team record for stolen bases in a season and he would eventually make an All Star team, win a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger.  Rays third-baseman Evan Longoria won the award.

2013

JOSE IGLESIAS: 2nd

I am counting this.  Iglesias started the 2013 season with the Red Sox, but was traded at the deadline to the Tigers in the deal that brought Jake Peavy to Boston.  For the year, Iglesias hit .303/.349/.386 with three home runs, 106 hits, 16 doubles, 29 RBIs and five stolen bases while playing impressive defense at shortstop and third base.  Of the 109 games he played in 2013, 63 came in Boston, and he hit .330/.376/.409.  He would go to an All Star game and eventually return to Boston.  He is still active.  Rays outfielder Wil Myers won the award.

2014

BROCK HOLT: 8th

Holt spent most of his career as a utility player, playing every position during his career except catcher.  He was acquired by the Red Sox in a deal with the Pirates prior to the 2013 season and spent part of that season in Boston.  His official rookie season was in 2014 and he hit .281/.331/.381 with 126 hits, 68 runs scored, 23 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 29 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.  Holt was Boston's sole All Star in 2015 and hit for the cycle twice, including becoming the first to do so in the postseason.  He was a fan favorite.  White Sox first-baseman Jose Abreu won the Rookie of the Year.

2017

ANDREW BENINTENDI: 2nd

After a great showing in 34 games in 2016, expectations were high for Benintendi in 2017.  He had a very good year, but no one expected Aaron Judge to hit 52 home runs.  Benintendi hit .271/.352/.424 with 155 hits, 84 runs scored, 26 doubles, 20 home runs, 90 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.  It was the third time a Red Sox rookie had a 20/20 season.  Benintendi had a slightly better season in 2018, but seemed to decline toward the end of the season and could never really get back on track in Boston.  He has since moved on to the Royals, Yankees and now White Sox.  He was an All Star for the Royals last season and seemed to come into his own as a low-power contact hitter.  The dynamic offensive threat from 2017-2018 appears to be gone. 

Well, that was exhausting and a lot more work than I expected.  I really doubt I will do this again for the MVP vote in particular.  I might still do it for the Cy Young vote though.