Who Wore the Number 16 for the Red Sox?
Since the 1800s, the Boston Red Sox have been a part of Major League Baseball’s American League. Throughout the team’s history, a variety of players have donned the Red Sox’s iconic uniform number 16.
Red Sox Wearing 16 in the Early Years
The first player to ever wear the number 16 for the Red Sox was catcher Jeff Sweeney in 1894. Sweeney only played in two games for the team and did not have a hit in either one.
In 1903, pitcher Bill Dinneen wore the number 16 for the Red Sox. Dinneen pitched for the Red Sox for seven years, earning a World Series victory in 1903 and two no-hitters during his time with the team.
In 1912, pitcher Charley Hall donned the number 16 for the Red Sox, playing for the team for two years. During his tenure with the Red Sox, Hall won a career-high 17 games.
Harry Hooper and the Curse of the Bambino
One of the most famous players to wear the number 16 for the Red Sox was Harry Hooper, who played for the team from 1909 to 1920. During his time with the Red Sox, Hooper was an eight-time All-Star and won four World Series championships with the team. Hooper was also a member of the team when the infamous Curse of the Bambino began in 1920.
Red Sox Players in the 1930s and 40s
In the 1930s and 40s, a few players donned the number 16 for the Red Sox, including pitchers Lefty Grove, Charlie Wagner, and Tex Hughson. Grove played for the Red Sox from 1934 to 1941 and won two ERA titles while with the team. Wagner was with the Red Sox from 1935 to 1942 and won 17 games in 1940. Hughson was with the Red Sox from 1942 to 1946 and was a two-time All-Star with the team.
Dom DiMaggio and the 1950s
In the 1950s, center fielder Dom DiMaggio wore the number 16 for the Red Sox. DiMaggio was a seven-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner with the Red Sox from 1940 to 1953. He also led the American League in stolen bases three times while with the team.
The 1960s and 70s
In the 1960s and 70s, the number 16 was worn by a few players with the Red Sox, including pitchers Bill Monbouquette and Bill Lee. Monbouquette was a three-time All-Star with the Red Sox from 1958 to 1965 and won 20 games in 1963. Lee was with the Red Sox from 1969 to 1978 and was a two-time All-Star with the team.
The 1980s and 90s
In the 1980s and 90s, several players donned the number 16 for the Red Sox, including pitchers Bruce Hurst and Jeff Sellers, first baseman J.T. Snow, and outfielder Mike Greenwell. Hurst was a two-time All-Star with the Red Sox from 1980 to 1988 and won 18 games in 1987. Sellers was with the Red Sox from 1987 to 1992 and won 10 games in 1990. Snow wore the number 16 for the Red Sox from 1992 to 1994 and was a two-time All-Star with the team. Greenwell was with the Red Sox from 1985 to 1996 and was a two-time All-Star with the team.
The 2000s and Beyond
More recently, the number 16 has been worn by a few players with the Red Sox, including pitchers Derek Lowe, Tim Wakefield, and John Lackey. Lowe wore the number 16 for the Red Sox from 1997 to 2004 and was a two-time All-Star with the team. Wakefield was with the Red Sox from 1995 to 2011 and was a two-time All-Star with the team. Lackey was with the Red Sox from 2010 to 2014 and won a World Series with the team in 2013.
Notable Red Sox Wearing 16
- Bill Dinneen – 1903-1909
- Harry Hooper – 1909-1920
- Lefty Grove – 1934-1941
- Dom DiMaggio – 1940-1953
- Bill Monbouquette – 1958-1965
- Bruce Hurst – 1980-1988
- Derek Lowe – 1997-2004
- Tim Wakefield – 1995-2011
- John Lackey – 2010-2014
Conclusion
The Boston Red Sox have had a long and storied history, and many players have donned the iconic number 16 for the team. From Bill Dinneen to Harry Hooper to John Lackey, the number 16 has been worn by some of the greatest players in Red Sox history.