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Red Sox History: Carl Yastrzemski Named Starting Left Fielder

By David Hill |
May 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox hall of famers Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski stand in left field as part of the pregame ceremony before the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox hall of famers Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski stand in left field as part of the pregame ceremony before the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

It is always difficult to replace a legend. That is exactly the task that Carl Yastrzemski had to face as a rookie, when he was named the Red Sox starting left fielder on this day in 1961.

The time had come for Ted Williams to call it a career. One of the greatest players, not only in Red Sox history, but in the history of the game, whoever would end up following in his footsteps as the team’s left fielder would have a difficult task ahead of them. After all, it is never easy to follow a legend.

It is doubly difficult to follow a legend as a rookie. And yet, that was exactly what the Red Sox decided would be the best course of action. On this day in 1961, they named Carl Yastrzemki as the heir to Williams, making him their starting left fielder.

It took some time for Yastrzemski to grow into the role. He had a solid enough rookie campaign in 1961, producing a .266/.324/.396 batting line, hitting 11 homers and 31 doubles. However, it was not until 1963 when Yastrzemski truly began to shine in Boston.

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That year, he served notice that the Red Sox had found another star to play in left. Yastrzemski led the American League in batting average, on base percentage, hits, doubles, and walks. He made his first All Star Game, finished sixth in the MVP vote, and won a Gold Glove award.

As his career went on, Yastrzemski became a legend in his own right. He spent his entire 23 year career in Boston, and ended up making 18 All Star Games. He won the Triple Crown in 1967, and was named the league MVP that year. Yastrzemski also won seven Gold Glove awards, as he become one of the best at playing the ball off the Green Monster.

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It is always difficult to replace a legend. In this case, the Red Sox had the fortune of having another legendary player on the cusp of the Majors in Carl Yastrzemski.

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