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

With the Red Sox, this also is the case. We’ve been blessed to see some of the greatest pitchers of our generation (and all time) take the mound at Fenway. We’ve seen four no-hitters, 18 strikeout games, complete game shutouts, relievers coming in and striking out the side with the bases loaded, you name it. So without further ado, here are the top pitchers the Red Sox have had this decade.

(Note: For those that haven’t seen the best hitters article, click here. Picks selected by combination of stats, awards, longevity, and clutch moments)

Ace: Pedro Martinez (2000-2004), 75-26 record, 2.50 ERA, Cy Young Winner (2000), 3x Top 5 Cy Young (2002,2003,2004), 2x All-Star (2000 & 2002), Top-5 MVP (2000)

This wasn’t as close as you think. Yes #2 is a helluva pitcher, however this is Pedro we’re talking about here. A once-in-a-lifetime player, every time he took the mound everyone from Dorchester to the Dominican Republic was paying attention. He was the foundation that former GM Dan Duquette used to make the Red Sox relevant for the first time since the 1986 team tore out the hearts of Sox fans. (Note: Duquette deserves as much credit for that 04 title as Theo has. Look who he signed and acquired during his tenure: Pedro, Varitek, Lowe, Manny, Wakefield, and Damon. He drafted Nomar, Youkilis, and Hanley Ramirez (which helped us net Beckett and Mike Lowell for our 07 run. In retrospect, he wasn’t THAT BAD of a GM.) Pedro will go down as the best pitcher the Sox ever had so to put him any lower than the #1 spot on any list is unfathomable.

#2 Starter: Curt Schilling(2004-2007), 53-29 record, 3.95 ERA, Al-Star (2004), 6-1 Postseason record for Sox, Owner of the Bloody Sock

Curt is ranking this high because of the moments he created. He’s never been one to shy away from the intense playoff pressure, the Boston media, or a couple dishes from Maggiano’s (he was large and in charge). His name will be forever linked with the Sox for his bloody sock and the performance he put on in the 2004 ALCS. His career took a bit of a tailspin after that (in ‘05 when he was our “closer”) but pulled it together to be a key cog in the 2007 team. He did what he needed to in order to win titles and for that we have to thank him. (Even though he stole $8 million in 2008 after he re-signed when his shoulder was blown out)

#3 Starter Josh Beckett 65-34 record, 4.05 ERA, 2nd place Cy Young (2007), 2x All-Star (2007 & 2009) ALCS MVP (2007)

Ever since Josh threw the complete game shutout in the 2003 World Series, Boston fans kept saying the same four words.

We want this guy.

Our wishes came true in the 2006 offseason when we got him alongside Mike Lowell, and have been on a rollercoaster ever since. When he’s got his stuff going, like in 2007, he’s the best pitcher in baseball. When he’s struggling, he’s frustrated all the fans and gives up homeruns seemingly every 10 at-bats. He was the reason that we went past the Cleveland Indians in the 2007 ALCS and proved that he should’ve won the Cy Young over CC Sabathia. Hopefully, next season he regains that form because we need him to pitch like that in order to get another World Series title.

#4 Starter Derek Lowe (2000-2004) 61-41 record, 3.71 ERA, 66 Saves, 2x All-Star (2000 & 2002) Top-3 Cy Young (2002), 1st player to win 3 clinching games in playoffs (2004), Threw No Hitter (2002)

A guy that always got overlooked was a quality arm to have in the rotation or in the bullpen. He was an All-Star as a closer and starter. Like Beckett, when he was good, watch out. But when he couldn’t command his sinker he was just awful. He had his problems with blisters and would be on the DL a few times because of such. His reputation here was that he was pretty crappy but he proved his worth closing out all three series in the 2004 playoffs (He pitched Game 7 of the ALCS on TWO DAYS REST). So for that and his deceivingly good years he deserves a spot on this rotation.

#5 Starter Tim Wakefield (2000-2009) 110-95 record, 4.34 ERA, All-Star (2009), Beloved Red Sox Figure

It seems like every team has a player that fans love and seemingly and are synonymous with that franchise. Tim Wakefield is that guy. He’s been with the franchise since 1995 and has been the only consistent knuckleballer in the majors over the past 20 years. He’s been a starter, a reliever, a set up man and a closer. He’s been moved and hasn’t complained about it once. His starts are always interesting because you never know how that knuckleball is going to be. He is the consummate professional and has numerous programs to help out the city of Boston. He felt awful and was brought to tears when he gave up that home run to Aaron Boone and we knew he was because he’s one of the few who truly cares for the fans. We couldn’t blame him for that either because we all know that if you live by the knuckleball, you can die by it too (and die we did). His 175 wins rank 3rd behind Cy Young and Roger Clemens for most in franchise history and a couple more years he will surpass that mark. It’s crucial because that’s the only statistical proof we will have to defend to others about why we still have him around. As long as Timmy can throw that knuckler, I want him playing.

Set-Up Reliever: Mike Timlin (2003-2008) 30-22, 3.76 ERA, 273 K’s, 394 Games Pitched

Timlin came in at a time where we were using the good ol’ fashioned “Closer By Committee” . We all know how that worked. When Foulke came in 2004 and was the closer, Timlin thrived in the set up role. He was as key in the bullpen as Foulke was and made us rest a little knowing he could bridge the gap between starter and closer. In the 2004 playoffs he pitched in 11 out of 14 games. The guy was a flamethrower and had been his entire career, then the 2008 playoffs happened and that flame was doused by a power hose. Out of the group of relievers, he would be the one I want to give the ball to in the 8th before bringing in the closer.
Honorable Mention: Alan Embree He was a damn good lefty specialist. Ditto with Okajima.

Closer: Jonathan Papelbon (2005-2009) 14-11, 1.84 ERA, 268 Games Pitched, 151 saves (most all-time), 346 K’s, 4x All-Star (2006-2009)

This one was tougher to decide as Foulke throwing in the 2004 ALCS practically saved us and also affected him the next season and his career. But Papelbon’s stats, both regular season and playoffs, are too much. He didn’t give up a run until his infamous meltdown in the 2009 ALDS, a span of 26 innings and four different playoff runs. He’s currently the only colorful personality on the roster and has taken the torch from Schilling as the guy the media goes to for a quote. While this year was the first time he wasn’t extremely consistent, he’s still the best guy in our bullpen. There are many questions surrounding what his future may be. Will he ditch us for the Yankees? Should we trade him while his value is high? One thing for certain is that we should win while we have him now.

Next edition: Worst Sox Hitters of the Decade