Athlete Number 26 - Wade Boggs

Another tough one. Billy Williams, of the Chicago Cubs, was a real consideration here, but the title of best athlete to wear the number 26 goes to the long-time Red Sox star, Wade Boggs. Boggs, a recent Hall of Famer, who retired with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and won the World Series with the Yankees, was one of the best pure hitters in the game. He started off of course with the Sox, and batted a mere .349 in his rookie season! This would have given him the batting title, but he was 121 at-bats short of the requirement. For an encore, in his sophmore season he hit .361 for the year. In fact, Boggs hit over .360 in four of his first seven seasons. He could flat out hit. Here's some statistical proof:

• .328 lifetime batting average
• 3,010 hits in 18 seasons
• 5-time batting champ (1983, 1985-1988; he was third at .325 in 1984)
• 8-time Silver Slugger
• 12-time All-Star
• 2-time Gold Glove winner
• 7 consecutive seasons of 200 or more hits

Did you know.....Wade was very superstitious and ate chicken before every game? (photo courtesy of psacard.com)