The St. Patty’s Day All-Stars

Written by: Josh Wilker on 17th March 2009

The St. Patty's Day All-Stars | read this item

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here is your all-time Irish-American Red Sox squad:

The Starting Nine

C – Rick Ferrell
In the mid-1930s, the future Hall of Famer was the backbone of a resurgent Red Sox club that made the team relevant again after many years of horrific last place finishes.

1B – Stuffy McInnis
The former member of the Philadelphia A’s famed $100,000 Infield helped the Red Sox claim what would be their last World Series title for 86 years in 1918.

2B – Denny Doyle
The reliable Doyle, who helped shore up the Red Sox’ infield defense during their pennant-winning season of 1975, is perhaps best remembered for getting thrown out at home plate during Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. Doyle claimed he heard third-base coach Don Zimmer saying “Go go go!”; Zimmer reported that he’d been screaming “No no no!”

SS – Joe Cronin
The Hall of Fame player and manager of the 1946 AL champs has his number hanging on the wall at Fenway.

3B – Jimmy Collins
The first star of Boston’s American League team revolutionized third-base play and as player-manager led the Bostonians to victory in the first-ever modern World Series in 1903.

OF – Duffy Lewis
The least-known member of the renowned championship outfield that also included Hall of Famers Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper, the three-time champ Lewis had a knack for shining brightest when it mattered most.

OF – Patsy Dougherty
Dougherty led the 1903 champs in batting average and runs and added two home runs in the World Series win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

OF – Tom McBride
A platoon player throughout the war years and beyond, McBride hit .301 as a part-timer for the 1946 pennant-winners.

P – Mickey McDermott
A contributor on the excellent Red Sox teams of the late 1940s and early 1950s, the funny and fun-loving McDermott had his best year in 1953, posting an 18-10 record with a 3.01 ERA

The Bench Guys

Dave McCarty
Number 25 on the 2004 roster that is also known as The Twenty-Five Who Will Live Forever, McCarty offers this squad a link to the modern era as well as an uncommon versatility that has seen the first-baseman/outfielder take the mound in emergency situations.

Jonathan Papelbon
Because of his connections with Louisiana and because of the sound of his name, Papelbon was often confused as being of Cajun descent, which he isn’t. He isn’t Irish either, nor has he ever been confused as such, but if Papelbon isn’t on this team, who’s going to dance the jig?

Troy O’Leary
Hey, I couldn’t resist. Maybe someday Troy O’Leary and 1970s Red Sox hurler Reggie Cleveland will do one of those black guy/white guy buddy movies.

Topics: Dave McCarty, Denny Doyle, Duffy Lewis, Jimmy Collins, Joe Cronin, Jonathan Papelbon, Patsy Dougherty, Rick Ferrell, Stuffy McInnis, Tom McCarthy, Troy O'Leary