February 11, 2011

Boggs named to International League Hall of Fame


Wade Boggs (along with Cal Ripken) was elected to the International League Hall of Fame for his excellence while in Triple-A.

Boggs spent both 1980 and 1981 in Pawtucket, where he hit .322 with a .418 OBP, .416 slugging mark and .834 OPS. He hit just six homers in Triple-A, but in 1981, he developed extra-base power as a 23-year-old, hitting 41 doubles for the PawSox. In 1980, he hit .306, losing the batting title by .0007 points. He then led the International League in average (.335) and doubles in 1981. While Boggs' baseball career looked promising during his time in Pawtucket, his binge drinking ability did not. In the minors Boggs was reported to only take in a "sixer" on a 3.5 hour cross-New England Bus ride. He was only able to reach the milestone of 60+ beers after years of patience, practice and determination.