Jim Rice

Red Sox Legend
Baseball Hall of Fame

One of the paramount players in the American League, outfielder Jim Rice was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2009 class with Rickey Henderson. The 8-time All Star played his entire 16-year career with the Red Sox, trailing only Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski in home runs, runs batted in, total bases and hits with the team.

Selected in the first round in the 1971 draft, the Anderson, South Carolina native made it up to the majors in 1974, playing his first full season in 1975. Rice won the 1978 American League Most Valuable Player Award after hitting .315 with 46 home runs, 139 runs batted in and 213 hits. His best statistical seasons were from 1977 to 1979, producing at least 39 home runs, 115 runs batted in, 100 runs scored and an average of at least .315 in each year. Rice finished his career with 382 home runs, 1,451 runs batted in and a .298 batting average. He played for two Red Sox teams that reached the World Series. 

Since retiring, Rice has continued to play a major role in the Red Sox organization. He worked as a hitting instructor both in the minor and major leagues, and still acts as an instruction batting coach. Rice has been a studio analyst for the New England Sports Network (NESN) since the 2003 season and gives his insight before and after games on “Red Sox Gameday Live” and “W.B. Mason’s Extra Innings”. In 2008, the Baseball Writers Association of America honored Rice for his commitment to baseball with the Emil Fuchs Award. He also made an appearance in the Farrelly Brothers comedy Fever Pitch. In his spare time, you can find Jim on the golf course or with his grandchildren.