Call to the pen
Fansided

15 best right fielders in MLB history

By Benjamin Chase

NEW YORK, NY - 1953: Brooklyn Dodger catcher Roy Campanella poses for a photograph in 1953 in the Polo Grounds in New York City. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - 1953: Brooklyn Dodger catcher Roy Campanella poses for a photograph in 1953 in the Polo Grounds in New York City. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 15
Next
Dwight Evans, Boston Red Sox
Dwight Evans, Boston Red Sox (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Best right fielders in MLB history No. 14: Dwight Evans

Stats: .272/.370/.470, 385 HR, 78 SB, 1,391/1,697 BB/K, 10,569 PA, 67.1 bWAR

If we were putting together a list of guys who deserve to be in the Hall of Fame from the 1980s who are not (a decade that has seemingly been viewed harshly by voters), Dwight Evans may not be my personal #1 on that list, but he’d be in the top 5 for sure.

Dwight Evans was one of the most incredible defensive outfielders that has ever graced the grass of an outfield. He was perhaps not the most incredible offensive player, but he was certainly more than adequate with the stick as well, and the combination should easily put him into Cooperstown.

The Red Sox drafted Evans first out of high school in California in 1969. He worked his way up to the majors quickly, getting a cup of coffee in 1972 and taking over a starting job partway through the 1973 season. While his offensive skills were not his selling point, the 1973 season was the only year of his career with a sub-100 OPS+.

Evans developed into a feared power hitter in the middle of the Red Sox lineup in the 1980s along with his incredible defense. In fact, among all outfielders in the 1980s, Evans trails only Dale Murphy in home runs, with 256 in the decade, ahead of others who have been selected to the Hall of Fame.

Part of the revival of the interest in Evans’ candidacy and his placement among the best all-time right fielders in MLB history is the interest in on-base as a valuable piece, and often more valuable piece than batting average, of a hitter’s profile. Evans led the league in on-base in 1982 and led the league in walks three times.

Evans also seemed to peak when the stakes were highest, as he hit .300/.397/.580 with three home runs over two World Series, in 1975 and 1986. Though the Red Sox lost both series, he arguably was a good argument for MVP of either series, especially the 1986 series against the Mets.

After three All-Star games, two Silver Sluggers, eight Gold Gloves, and five appearances on the MVP ballot, finishing in the top five twice, Evans was on the Hall of Fame ballot for just three seasons before he fell off the ballot.

Home/MLB History