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Sox to retire Rice’s #14

Courtesy of Boston Red Sox

RED SOX TO HONOR HALL OF FAMER JIM RICE AND RETIRE HIS NUMBER 14

DURING PRE-GAME CEREMONIES ON TUESDAY, JULY 28

BOSTON, MA— The Boston Red Sox today announced plans to retire Hall of Famer Jim Rice’s uniform number 14 as a tribute to his exceptional career in a Red Sox uniform and in honor of his induction into The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The ceremony will take place prior to the Red Sox-Athletics game at Fenway Park on Tuesday, July 28.

“As a fan of the game and a steward of this great franchise, it is an honor to be a part of the Red Sox during this special moment in the team’s history. On behalf of our partners and the entire organization, we want to congratulate Jim Rice on his upcoming induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and finally taking his rightful place among the greatest players in the game,” said John Henry, Principal Owner. “The retirement of his number will be a fitting way to honor one of the most dominant hitters to ever wear a Red Sox uniform.”

It will be the seventh number to be retired by the franchise, joining Bobby Doerr (#1), Joe Cronin (#4), Johnny Pesky (#6), Carl Yastrzemski (#8), Ted Williams (#9), and Carlton Fisk (#27). The number of Jackie Robinson (#42) has been retired by all teams in Major League Baseball.

Jim Rice was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on January 12, 2009, becoming one of 32 Red Sox players to receive the honor. He is the 48th electee to spend his entire career with one team and just the fourth to do so with Boston, joining Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski. He will be enshrined in Cooperstown on Sunday, July 26 along with former outfielder Rickey Henderson who spent the 2002 season in a Red Sox uniform.

“It will be a thrill to welcome Jim Rice back to Fenway after his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. As one of only four Hall of Famers to spend his entire career with this organization, Jim will be joining an elite group of players whose contributions to Red Sox history are etched in the memories of generations of fans,” said Tom Werner, Chairman. “And we are very fortunate that he continues to be a part of Red Sox games by bringing his more than three decades of baseball experience to the NESN broadcasting team.”

Over 16 seasons from 1974-89, Rice batted .298 with 382 home runs and 1,451 RBI in 2,089 games, earning eight All-Star selections along the way. He placed among the top five in American League Most Valuable Player voting six times during his career, more than any other player between 1963 and 2005, and won the award in 1978 when he hit .315 with 213 hits, 46 home runs, 139 RBI, and a .600 slugging percentage. The former Red Sox captain also collected 406 total bases in 1978, still the only A.L. player to reach 400 since Joe DiMaggio in 1937 (418).

“This is a moment of celebration for all of Red Sox Nation – young and old. Our fans have known for a long time that Jim Rice, one of the greatest offensive baseball players in recent history, belongs in the Hall of Fame,” said Larry Lucchino, President and CEO. “We look forward to celebrating his achievement with our fans at Fenway Park, when Jim’s number 14 goes up permanently on the right field façade.”

Rice, who was one of the first inductees into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1995, ranks among the club’s all-time leaders in at-bats (3rd), hits (3rd), home runs (3rd), RBI (3rd), games (4th), runs (4th), doubles (6th), triples (6th), slugging percentage (8th) and walks (8th). He has been a member of the organization since he was selected with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 1971 June draft. In 1974, he won the International League Triple Crown, batting .337 with 25 long balls and 93 RBI for Pawtucket.

Following his playing career, he was a roving minor league hitting instructor for Boston from 1992-94, a major league hitting coach from 1995-2000, and continues to serve the team today as a special assignment instructor, a role he has held since 2001. He also works as an analyst on NESN’s pre and post-game Red Sox coverage.

RED SOX RETIRED NUMBERS

1—Bobby Doerr (formally retired May 21, 1988)

4—Joe Cronin (formally retired May 29, 1984)

6—Johnny Pesky (formally retired September 26, 2008)

8—Carl Yastrzemski (formally retired August 6, 1989)

9—Ted Williams (formally retired May 29, 1984)

14—Jim Rice (to be formally retired July 28, 2009)

27—Carlton Fisk (formally retired September 4, 2000)

42—Jackie Robinson (formally retired by Major League Baseball April 15, 1997)

JIM RICE’S MAJOR LEAGUE CAREER RECORD

YR. CLUB BA G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB TB SO SB

1974 Boston .269 24 67 6 18 2 1 1 13 4 25 12 0