Getting Back to the 2016 Sox Lineup
Alright, so I decided to go back and piece together the 2016 Red Sox roster the other day. It wasn’t like pulling up some official list, more like digging through my own memory first, then checking things out. It’s funny how some years stick with you more than others.
First thing I did was try to remember the big guys, the everyday players. You know, the ones you saw day in and day out. That year was David Ortiz’s farewell tour, so Big Papi was the immediate name that popped into my head. Couldn’t miss that one. Then, my mind went straight to the infield.
- Dustin Pedroia, gotta have Pedey at second.
- Xander Bogaerts was holding down shortstop.
- Travis Shaw was at third base for a good chunk of it, I think? Yeah, Shaw.
- Hanley Ramirez made the switch to first base that year. That was a whole thing.
Then I thought about the outfield. Mookie Betts was really starting to explode, becoming a superstar out in right field. Jackie Bradley Jr. was making those crazy plays in center. Who was in left? Brock Holt got some time out there, maybe? Chris Young? Yeah, I think they split it some.
Figuring Out the Pitchers
Okay, the pitching staff. That took a bit more effort to recall clearly. The absolute lock was Rick Porcello. Man, he won the Cy Young that year, came out of nowhere with that performance. Then there was David Price, the big free agent signing. He was solid, but maybe not the ace everyone expected right away.
Who else started games? I remember the knuckleballer, Steven Wright. He was an All-Star that first half before he got hurt. Clay Buchholz was still around, doing his usual unpredictable thing. Eduardo Rodriguez was young and showing promise. Yeah, that sounds about right for the main starters.
Catchers and the Bullpen Crew
Catching… hmm. Sandy Leon ended up catching a ton that year and hit way better than anyone expected. Christian Vazquez was there too, but Leon got most of the run later on, if I recall correctly.
The bullpen is always tougher to nail down completely. Craig Kimbrel was the closer, brought in to lock things down. Koji Uehara was still there, setting up. Robbie Ross Jr.? Matt Barnes was starting to become a fixture. There were definitely others, bullpens always have a revolving door, but those were the main guys I could pull up from memory.
So yeah, that was my process. Started with the slam dunks like Ortiz and Porcello, filled in the everyday guys, then worked through the pitching staff and the supporting cast. Had to double-check a few things online just to be sure I wasn’t mixing up years, especially with some of the bench guys and bullpen arms. But putting it together piece by piece like that felt like a good way to relive that specific season.
