Red Sox acquire slugger Jose Canseco from the Rangers
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Jose Canseco was one of Major League Baseball’s best players during the ’80’s and ’90’s. The former 15th round draft pick by the Oakland Athletics in the 1982 MLB draft hit 462 career home runs, was a six-time All-Star, 1986 AL Rookie of the Year and the 1988 AL MVP. With all those accomplishment’s on the field, Canseco has been a lightning rod off the field.
The former two-time World Series champion has been wrapped up in controversy following his retirement from the game. From his book Juiced that talked about the rampant use of alleged steroid abuse in baseball to his appearance on The Celebrity Apprentice, the alleged rape case he was named in to his celebrity boxing appearances, Canseco has remained relevant the best he can for better or for worse.
Red Sox acquire Canseco from the Rangers
During his playing career, Canseco had the opportunity to call Fenway Park home.
Back on December 9, 1994, Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette was looking for additional power in his lineup. The Red Sox needed to add protection around power hitting Mo Vaughn and Duquette turned to Canseco.
“Jose is one of the most exciting people in the league and his right-hitting power will provide a nice balance to our lineup," Duquette said.
Boston would agree to a trade that would send centerfielder Otis Nixon and minor league infielder Luis Ortiz to the Rangers. The acquisition of Canseco would reunite him with his former manager Kevin Kennedy.
The Red Sox hired Kennedy after the Rangers gave him the pink slip two months into the MLB strike.
If you rememberer, Kennedy was Canseco’s manager when he let him pitch in a game against the Red Sox back in 1993. Following his stint on the bump, Canseco hurt his elbow and needed reconstructive elbow surgery.
"The only reason I considered Boston is because of Kevin," Canseco said following the trade. "Everything that happened in Texas was positive. But on the other hand, I'm very happy to go to Boston. One reason is because of Kevin."
Canseco was coming off a 31 home run season with the Rangers. The right-handed slugger drove in 90 RBIs during the strike-shortened season. The addition of Canseco provided Vaughn a right-handed bat to protect him in the lineup.
“I’ve always thought Boston lacked right-handed power hitters," Canseco said. "I'm going to have to wear some thermals but I actually like it there," added Canseco.
Prior to his trade, Canseco never hit well at Fenway Park. He batted .242, hitting eight home runs and driving in 25 runs in 149 at-bats.
Canseco’s time in Boston wasn’t electric, he was just okay
The former MVP spent two seasons in Beantown hitting 52 homers during his tenure. However he struggled to stay healthy, missing a chunk of time to begin the ‘95 season and even more time during the ‘96 campaign. He only played 198 games with the Red Sox.
Despite his injury plagued time in Boston, he still provided decent numbers at the plate. He owned a 135 WRC+ in 1995 and a 143 WRC+ in 1996. The 1996 season, Canseco had a career high .400 on-base percentage, however that was over 432 plate appearances.
Canseco would only play two seasons with the Sox and was ultimately traded back to the A’s for right-handed hurler John Wasdin.
Canseco calls out David Ortiz
Following his playing career, the former Red Sox slugger was critical of Hall-of-Famer David Ortiz after Big Papí called out Mike Fiers.
Ortiz called out Fiers as the Astros cheating scandal began to rear its ugly head in the media. Big Papí called Fiers a snitch and Canseco took to Twitter to comment.
“Mike fiers the truth is never wrong no matter when you say it...its never to late for the truth...big papi I am a fan since the first time I met you in Minnesota but get off this kid ,you made it through the ped era…,” tweeted Canseco.
The former Red Sox slugger was always a favorite of mine. I loved his swing, he had tremendous power and I was able to see him crush a home run as a member of the Red Sox.
As a kid, I never understood what Canseco was like off the field. I only got to see his ability on the field. I wore number 33 when I played because of Canseco. Now, as an adult with all the controversy he’s been surrounded in, I have a better grasp of who he is as a person.
I’ll never forget his time with the Red Sox and wished he could have stayed healthier and spent more time hitting homers into the net above the Monster.
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
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