Wade Boggs’ major league career was a regimented, meticulous, disciplined journey, taken day by day and step by step across 18 years. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as the 41st first-ballot honoree in Hall history when they resoundingly welcomed Boggs in early 2005.
Boggs spent 11 All-Star seasons with the Red Sox in Boston (1982-92). He duplicated his success with the Yankees and helped them win a World Series title in 1996. After a short break, Boggs finished his career with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and reached his 3,000th career hit with the organization August 7, 1999.
Individual honors included 12 consecutive All-Star appearances (1985-96); five batting titles (1983, 1985-88); and two Gold Gloves (1994-95). Wade’s Hall of Fame credentials were never in doubt. Wade finished his career with a .328 batting.
His drive and motivation to succeed produced a lifetime of achievements in baseball. “I never gave up,” Wade has said. “I knew what I believed and I just continued to play. I didn’t listen to (critics). If that was the case, I would have gone home a long time ago.” Determination, work ethic, and love of the game were the keys for one of baseball’s most decorated hall of famers.