The best in Boston: The top Sox hitters of the decade

This decade in baseball started the same way it ended: with the hated New York Yankees celebrating a World Series title. However (mostly) everything else in the game of baseball is different. This decade has brought the rise of Moneyball, newer, more sophisticated statistics, fancier Fantasy leagues, and steroids.  It brought the end of an 88-year title drought on the South Side of Chicago, while the North Side is entering its 102nd year without a championship. And we now look at the numbers 73 and 762 more like 73* and 762*.

But probably the most important change of the past ten years was the transformation of the Boston Red Sox from loveable losers to perennial winners, making them the most hated team in the game (at least until the Yankees spent near half a billion to capture a title and become the face of evil once again in 2009).

So I have taken it upon myself to go through 2000-2009 with a fine tooth comb and figure out who was the best of the decade, who was the worst, and what could have been (the Sox can very easily have four or five titles instead of the two that we have. No I'm not ungrateful, I'm just stating facts).

We're kicking it off with the best players, position-by-position, that have played with Boston emblazoned on their chest. I'm basing my picks off a combination of statistics, expectations, awards, and clutch moments that made them stand out in this decade. So without further ado...

Catcher: Jason Varitek 2000-2009 stats: .258 BA, 153 HR, 594 RBI… 3 All Stars (03,05,08), Gold Glove (2005), Silver Slugger (2005), Named Captain in 2005, Caught MLB Record Four No Hitters (Nomo 2001, Lowe 2002, Buchholz 2007, Lester 2008)

This was a no brainer. Varitek is one of two players that have played with the Sox for the entire decade (Timmy Wakefield is the other and if it took you longer than five seconds to figure it out then shame on you) and he evolved from a backup to a three year stretch in which he was the best catcher in the game. During 2003 to 2005, Tek averaged 21 homers with 76 RBI while working his magic behind the plate. He was the best at calling a game and made younger pitchers like Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz throw with confidence. Josh Beckett just shook him off 90% of the time.

He's been a great player and is the second best catcher in Red Sox history (#1 is Carlton Fisk). But the past two years his career has been in a bit of a freefall (it hasn't been pretty to watch either) and the injuries have taken its toll on him. So maybe it's for the best that he hangs them and up and start what could be an even more successful career as a manager. He has all the tools for it and knows the game extremely well and can pass his knowledge down to many players down the road. Who knows maybe we see Varitek coaching the Sox ten years from now. He'd be great at it too.

Honorable Mention: Doug Mirabelli (Three words: Dougie Goes Deep)

First Base: Kevin Youkilis (2004-2009) Stats: .292 BA, 93 HR, 408 RBI… Gold Glove (2007), 2-Time All Star (2008, 2009), Top-3 MVP (2008)

The Greek God of Walks has evolved from a bench player to the best hitter on the team and is in the midst of his prime. His patience at the plate is remarkable and he keeps himself alive fouling off pitch after pitch after pitch. His defense at first base is nearly perfect (he's made ten errors in five years) and he has impressive versatility, also playing third and the corner outfield spots. He played a key role in the 2007 ALCS, going 14-for-28, nailing 3 home runs, and driving in 7 runs and would've won the MVP in the series if Josh Beckett wasn't trying to prove a point and threw lights out (CC may have won the Cy Young but Josh was the best pitcher that year and the ALCS proved it.). For another five plus years, YOUUUK will be holding down first base with dominance and is the odds-on favorite to take over the reigns of captain once Varitek steps down.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Millar. Gave us Cowboy Up and drew the walk in Game 4 of 2004 ALCS that led to "The Steal."

Second Base: Dustin Pedroia (2006-2009) Stats: .307 BA, 42 HR, 212 RBI… Rookie of the Year (2007), MVP (2008), 2-time All Star (2008, 2009), Gold Glove (2008), Silver Slugger (2008)

Little Dusty sure has come a long way since April 2007, when fans and media alike were begging him to benched for Alex Cora. He responded by winning the Rookie of the Year and the AL MVP in his first two seasons, something that's only been accomplished by Lou Gerhig and Ichiro. (Translation: He's something special.) The generously listed 5'9" Pedroia plays like someone who is 6'9". Only Vladimir Guerrero swings with such ferocity as Pedroia.

His defense is deceivingly good as well. The highlight that sticks to mind came during the Buchholz no-hitter. He made a diving stab at a grounder by Miguel Tejada and threw a laser to Youkilis, getting Miggy out by a fraction of a second and thus saving the no-no. There's only one word to describe Dusty: scrappy. Between him and Youk, the right side of the field is in great shape for the next decade.

Honorable Mention: Todd Walker. He tore the cover off the ball in the 2003 playoffs.

Third base: Mike Lowell (2006-2009) Stats: .295 BA, 75 HR, 348 RBI… World Series MVP (2007), Top-5 MVP (2007), All Star (2007)

Everybody groaned when he was part of the Josh Beckett trade but after the 2007 World Series, many people were saying he was just as important in the trade and made Larry Lucchino look ingenious for taking Lowell's salary from the Marlins. (He pulled the trigger on the trade while Theo Epstein was too busy partying in his gorilla suit.) We all knew that he would be good with the glove but it was the offense that shocked everyone, as his bat was well suited for Fenway. He won the World Series MVP and while his age is an issue, he has played well when he's on the field. He has a couple more years in him and will do well if the Sox find a young third baseman to split time and have Lowell teach the youngster what he knows.