Ortiz probably a better hitter.... But Yaz could do it all....My vote is an easy one....YAZ.
m g.balla - 8 years ago
I've been a sox fan since the 40's and Ted Williams may have been the greatest hitter who ever lived and Yaz was a great replacement for him, however, if a franchise history is based on their abilities to win the world series, then I have to favor Ortiz. I never thought that I would live to see the sox win a world series, but Ortiz changed all of that and he has 3 rings to show for it. Perhaps he was a DH, but undoubtedly the best DH who ever lived. If he never came to Boston, it is highly unlikely that Boston would have any world series rings since Babe Ruth left town. His leadership is unquestioned, like one key player stated after a crucial game that led to another world series ring had to say; everybody wanted to know what did Ortiz say in a private huddle of sox players that inspired them to victory; the player wouldn't reveal what was said, but he did say that Ortiz talked to them like he was holding a Kindergarten class. All the players had the greatest respect for his leadership and the sox won not one , but three world series rings during his tenure with the team. He may have a hot temper periodically but that does not take away from his contributions. Ted Williams did a few stupid things also. Williams and Yaz did more things because they were different players under rules of the game. Ortiz has been far the more valuable player if the goal is to win the world series and make no mistake that is what the Red Sox fans have always wanted and unfortunately neither Williams or Yaz could deliver the prize despite playing with great players. Despite the fact that Bill Russell brought 11 NBA titles to Boston, players like Cousy and Havelczek usually are considered Boston's greats basketball players, so it appears that Boston gets what it wants from certain key players but prefer players who brought them nothing or very little in comparison to players like Russell and Ortiz. It is obviously a personality syndrome with Boston sports fans.
Stephen Karas - 9 years ago
Here is your winner: The Great #8 - Captain Carl Michael Yastrzemski
Art - 9 years ago
Yaz did it on the field defensively and at the plate , Ortiz made it count many times with his BAT, both great players but Yaz did it all
The question was the best Red Sox player. David Ortiz has been a key part of the only world series that the Red Sox have won. Ted Williams was the best hitter, but I grew up watching Ted and he hardly ever hit in clutch situations. Perhaps his two most famous home runs came at the end of his career and in an all star game. Two events that did nothing for the team. Yaz was the best athlete and he was clutch in many situations. However no one made as big a difference to the team as David Ortiz. His personality in the clubhouse, his ability to get other people to play harder, his hitting in the four game sweep of the Yankees in 2004, and his clutch hitting in three world series. The only player that Big Papi would have to take a back seat to in my opinion is Babe Ruth. The Babe was also brilliant for the Red Sox when they were winning everything in the beginnings of baseball. But after all those years of not winning a world series, David has been one of the most important people to play in every world series, delivering clutch hit after clutch hit, fielding when he had too, and who can forget his speech after the bombings at the Boston Marathon. There really never has been a player as important to the Red Sox. The question asked who was most important player to the Red Sox and for me there is no other. It is Big Papi, David Ortiz.
It was not that long ago that all of Red Sox nation wondered if they would live to see a world series. Now, largely because of David Ortiz, we have seen three. Amazing!!!
Peter - 9 years ago
David Ortiz was a real good player for the Red Sox. To name him as one of the two greatest players in the history of the club is a stretch ........... I can think of at the very minimum two or three dozen players that would be ahead of him. I'm not trying to slight David in the least. It is just fact !!! ... Many people will back me up on this one !
Peter - 9 years ago
I've seen the entire career's of both players....It's Yaz's hands down no question !!!
Bruce - 9 years ago
NOT EVEN CLOSE, Yaz was a great all around player , not a lazy DH that whines when an error is called when he thinks it should have been ruled a base hit, cries when gets hit by a pitch by a NYY, when Jeter got hit 15 plus times in the same period . Ortiz is a feared great HITTER, that was helped by smaller parks & PED's
Beth - 9 years ago
Yaz was simply a more honest player. That is why he gets my vote.
Ralph - 9 years ago
Yaz could do something great on the field on days where he didn't even get a hit. Seen it many many times. Nothing against Ortiz but my vote goes to YAZ. I don't really think you can make comparisons between a D H and an everyday player anyway , but David Ortiz will be a most deserving Hall of Famer in my mind. Best ever at his position. If you never saw Yaz play you shouldn't even be voting .
me - 9 years ago
Yes Yaz also played defense and was a great outfielder, but aside from less than a handful of exceptional offensive years, Yaz was just an average offense player. His career numbers were based mostly on longevity.
Yaz's gold gloves did not lead to any WS rings nor did his triple crown season. Ortiz' s post season performance and overall clutch hitting is enough for me to select him as the greater of the two. If Yaz had Ted William numbers than it would be different.
When you look at what and average season was for Yaz it's something like rs 89, hr's 22, rbi's 90, ba .287. Very average.
The two greatest players in Red History are Ted Williams and David Ortiz.
Kevin - 9 years ago
YAZ was an all around player. Ortiz should not be criticized for the era he plays in. Comparisons are unfair, one is in the hall and some day PAPI will join YAZ. Both should be judged as Boston Red SOX greats! YAZ # 1 and PAPI # 1.1 (not much difference) slight edge for YAZ'S play in left field.
Sue hersey - 9 years ago
All around best player-Yaz.
Ortiz a DH. Would have never lasted this long had he played in the field.
Jim - 9 years ago
Yaz gets my vote.......Yaz was a complete baseball player and played the real game ........While a terrific hitter , Ortiz is a manufactured specialized baseball player who could never have been a complete player
James J. Curtin - 9 years ago
Yaz was a "player" Ortiz is a hitter . You can not compare the two for best as they were the best at what each did. Over all my vote goes to Yaz.
John - 9 years ago
Agree with Ken, Ortiz is 1/2 a baseball player. If he had to play in the field almost every day he would have been retired years ago due to injuries as he has been very injury prone trying to just bat and sort of run. This comparison shouldn't even be made.
Zbigniew - 9 years ago
Without Ortiz the Red Sox would never have won a World Series.
Drop mic.
Ken - 9 years ago
Ortiz career has been extended because of the designated hitter rule. Yaz was the true all around ball player, the way baseball is still played in the National League. My vote is to Yaz.
Herb - 9 years ago
Yaz and Williams set club records with just one team. Ortiz did not get all his homers while playing for the Rdsox
Dennis - 9 years ago
Yaz had eight golden gloves. When you had to be the best in both leagues. And 3,000 hits.
Ortiz probably a better hitter.... But Yaz could do it all....My vote is an easy one....YAZ.
I've been a sox fan since the 40's and Ted Williams may have been the greatest hitter who ever lived and Yaz was a great replacement for him, however, if a franchise history is based on their abilities to win the world series, then I have to favor Ortiz. I never thought that I would live to see the sox win a world series, but Ortiz changed all of that and he has 3 rings to show for it. Perhaps he was a DH, but undoubtedly the best DH who ever lived. If he never came to Boston, it is highly unlikely that Boston would have any world series rings since Babe Ruth left town. His leadership is unquestioned, like one key player stated after a crucial game that led to another world series ring had to say; everybody wanted to know what did Ortiz say in a private huddle of sox players that inspired them to victory; the player wouldn't reveal what was said, but he did say that Ortiz talked to them like he was holding a Kindergarten class. All the players had the greatest respect for his leadership and the sox won not one , but three world series rings during his tenure with the team. He may have a hot temper periodically but that does not take away from his contributions. Ted Williams did a few stupid things also. Williams and Yaz did more things because they were different players under rules of the game. Ortiz has been far the more valuable player if the goal is to win the world series and make no mistake that is what the Red Sox fans have always wanted and unfortunately neither Williams or Yaz could deliver the prize despite playing with great players. Despite the fact that Bill Russell brought 11 NBA titles to Boston, players like Cousy and Havelczek usually are considered Boston's greats basketball players, so it appears that Boston gets what it wants from certain key players but prefer players who brought them nothing or very little in comparison to players like Russell and Ortiz. It is obviously a personality syndrome with Boston sports fans.
Here is your winner: The Great #8 - Captain Carl Michael Yastrzemski
Yaz did it on the field defensively and at the plate , Ortiz made it count many times with his BAT, both great players but Yaz did it all
The question was the best Red Sox player. David Ortiz has been a key part of the only world series that the Red Sox have won. Ted Williams was the best hitter, but I grew up watching Ted and he hardly ever hit in clutch situations. Perhaps his two most famous home runs came at the end of his career and in an all star game. Two events that did nothing for the team. Yaz was the best athlete and he was clutch in many situations. However no one made as big a difference to the team as David Ortiz. His personality in the clubhouse, his ability to get other people to play harder, his hitting in the four game sweep of the Yankees in 2004, and his clutch hitting in three world series. The only player that Big Papi would have to take a back seat to in my opinion is Babe Ruth. The Babe was also brilliant for the Red Sox when they were winning everything in the beginnings of baseball. But after all those years of not winning a world series, David has been one of the most important people to play in every world series, delivering clutch hit after clutch hit, fielding when he had too, and who can forget his speech after the bombings at the Boston Marathon. There really never has been a player as important to the Red Sox. The question asked who was most important player to the Red Sox and for me there is no other. It is Big Papi, David Ortiz.
It was not that long ago that all of Red Sox nation wondered if they would live to see a world series. Now, largely because of David Ortiz, we have seen three. Amazing!!!
David Ortiz was a real good player for the Red Sox. To name him as one of the two greatest players in the history of the club is a stretch ........... I can think of at the very minimum two or three dozen players that would be ahead of him. I'm not trying to slight David in the least. It is just fact !!! ... Many people will back me up on this one !
I've seen the entire career's of both players....It's Yaz's hands down no question !!!
NOT EVEN CLOSE, Yaz was a great all around player , not a lazy DH that whines when an error is called when he thinks it should have been ruled a base hit, cries when gets hit by a pitch by a NYY, when Jeter got hit 15 plus times in the same period . Ortiz is a feared great HITTER, that was helped by smaller parks & PED's
Yaz was simply a more honest player. That is why he gets my vote.
Yaz could do something great on the field on days where he didn't even get a hit. Seen it many many times. Nothing against Ortiz but my vote goes to YAZ. I don't really think you can make comparisons between a D H and an everyday player anyway , but David Ortiz will be a most deserving Hall of Famer in my mind. Best ever at his position. If you never saw Yaz play you shouldn't even be voting .
Yes Yaz also played defense and was a great outfielder, but aside from less than a handful of exceptional offensive years, Yaz was just an average offense player. His career numbers were based mostly on longevity.
Yaz's gold gloves did not lead to any WS rings nor did his triple crown season. Ortiz' s post season performance and overall clutch hitting is enough for me to select him as the greater of the two. If Yaz had Ted William numbers than it would be different.
When you look at what and average season was for Yaz it's something like rs 89, hr's 22, rbi's 90, ba .287. Very average.
The two greatest players in Red History are Ted Williams and David Ortiz.
YAZ was an all around player. Ortiz should not be criticized for the era he plays in. Comparisons are unfair, one is in the hall and some day PAPI will join YAZ. Both should be judged as Boston Red SOX greats! YAZ # 1 and PAPI # 1.1 (not much difference) slight edge for YAZ'S play in left field.
All around best player-Yaz.
Ortiz a DH. Would have never lasted this long had he played in the field.
Yaz gets my vote.......Yaz was a complete baseball player and played the real game ........While a terrific hitter , Ortiz is a manufactured specialized baseball player who could never have been a complete player
Yaz was a "player" Ortiz is a hitter . You can not compare the two for best as they were the best at what each did. Over all my vote goes to Yaz.
Agree with Ken, Ortiz is 1/2 a baseball player. If he had to play in the field almost every day he would have been retired years ago due to injuries as he has been very injury prone trying to just bat and sort of run. This comparison shouldn't even be made.
Without Ortiz the Red Sox would never have won a World Series.
Drop mic.
Ortiz career has been extended because of the designated hitter rule. Yaz was the true all around ball player, the way baseball is still played in the National League. My vote is to Yaz.
Yaz and Williams set club records with just one team. Ortiz did not get all his homers while playing for the Rdsox
Yaz had eight golden gloves. When you had to be the best in both leagues. And 3,000 hits.