Teammate reaction
Jim Rice is on the podium at the moment, waxing on about his career and today's induction. "When I played," he said, "we were men."
We'll get to more of Rice's thoughts in a moment, including his fascinating take on on-base percentage as it relates to his career. For now, here are what some of those men feel about his induction to the Hall of Fame:
Bobby Doerr: "He was consistent, and he was always a threat. Anytime a guy can hit the long ball like he did, he drove in the runs. He was a tough hitter and he played a good outfield. I think he should have been in a long time ago."
Dennis Eckersley: "As a player, when I played with Jimmy, I thought it was his best year, which was 1978. It was the most dynamic offensive year that I have ever played with anybody. His acceptance to the Hall is long overdue. As a person, he was a consistent guy. He was always there, every day as a person and every day as a player."
Carl Yastrzemski: "Congratulations to Jimmy on his election to the Hall of Fame. It was long overdue. He was a great teammate and a friend. I'm looking forward to his induction in July. I can only hope the day will come when Dwight Evans and Luis Tiant will also join us in Cooperstown."
Dwight Evans: "Jim Rice richly deserves to be elected to the Hall of Fame. He was the consummate team player, and he led by example. I'm proud to have played with him for 16 years."
Butch Hobson: "It's only fitting, in my opinion, for Jim Rice to be in the Hall of Fame. He's a gentleman in the game of baseball. He always has been. He always went about his day approaching the game of baseball with a mission. I know that his goal in the game of baseball was to one day be in the Hall of Fame. I think he has the numbers. He definitely has the credibility. Jimmy was a quiet gentleman. He's somebody that I feel honored to have had the opportunity to play with. When you were a teammate of Jim Rice, you became his brother. I'm just so happy for him."
Comment
Permalink
Email
'bout time!
I am a Yankees fan who feared when Jim Rice came up to the plate. This is one player from the sox I truly admired, and respected.
So long overdue it makes my teeth hurt thinking 'bout it....Geez!
He deserves it. Rob Neyer and Bill James be damned! The guy could hit and did it for just long enough. I am glad I hung on to those autographed pictures he signed when I was a kid.
Jim Rice was one of the few players that I actually would pay to watch play! He was awesome!! I wish he was healthy in the `75 WS!
Wow,congradulations Jim Ed.You are a gentleman and a great Red Sox.What a difference between you and the last leftfielder we had.Oh,to have you playing on todays team!!
Congratulations Jim! You were the best and most feared hitter of your era. When watching games one had to stop everything to see Jim hit. Every at bat was a potential home run or a screamer line drive in the gap or off the monster, He was so strong. Didn't need the steroids. Happy day for Red Sox Nation!
I couldn't be more happy for Jim Rice. He is very deserving of the hall of fame induction.
maybe now the sox can finally retire rice's #14 out in rightfield with the other sox greats where he belongs...congrats jimmy!
thank you Jim it was great watching you!
Congratulations Jim! It was great to see you play and I really enjoy watching you on NESN.
Jim Rice was the first Sox player that I grew up with and followed and revered . He was a hero to me and many others who grew up in the Boston of the 1970's .
He carried a big bat , a quiet resolve , and the respect and fear of all who played against him .
His elevation to the Hall is a fitting end to a magnificent career , and conformation of his status as one of the game's greats . He gets to "live" with Ruth , Mays , Williams , Foxx , Aaron , etc. , forever ...... and deservedly so
You should try to go to Cooperstown and see the induction. I went last year and saw Dick Williams and Goose Gossage. Stay in Albany and drive down early and see all the HOF'ers on Main St. that morning signing autographs for charity! Good time! Wear Red Sox stuff to annoy the locals (who are mostly Yankee fans).
Growing up in Boston, I had Jim Rice's posters all over my room and would copy his signature, hoping one day to be like him. Well, I'm a lawyer in LA now, but I will always love the game and my hometown team! This is a great day for Red Sox Nation! A well deserved honor for Jim Rice. He was one of the greats. Thanks for the memories and your loyalty to Boston! Still remember like it was yesterday - Rice, Lynn, Yaz, Evans, Hobson, Eckersley, Remy, Fisk...- glory days!
Congragulations Jim! Let's here from Carlton Fisk! Hopefully as many of these great players can make it when his number is retired.
Congratulations Jim!!! I and so many other kids, tried to mimic your stance in the box, standing straight up with bat held high, but even more was that was the look you gave the pitcher in between pitches when you backed out of the box, held bat horizontal to the ground and with your head slightly tilted, just staring at the pitcher daring him to throw the next pitch
Congratulations Jim Rice, you finally get your due. I've been a huge Red Sox fan since 1970 and the greatest player I've ever seen in a Red Sox lineup is #14. I wore his number in high school and to this day I wear his number even in wiffle ball tournaments. Can you imagine what Jim would have done to today's pitching in all of those tiny ballparks, Manny who?
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Red Sox Twitter
E-mail your question
- Amalie Benjamin,
- Nick Cafardo,
- Chad Finn,
- Adam Kilgore or
- Tony Massarotti
Or if your comment or question is non-specific to a particular reporter, enter it in the form below:browse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com