Outfield Defense

Is tonight's outfield with Jacoby Ellsbury, Coco Crisp, and J.D. Drew the best defensive outfield in modern Red Sox history? All have good defensive instincts and two have exceptional speed. Drew has a solid arm in right, Ellsbury has an average arm, and Crisp is below average.

What do we have for comparison? In 1967, at times the Sox had Yaz in left, Reggie Smith in center, and Tony C. in right. Yastrzemski's defense was exemplary, Smith had the best arm I've seen on a Sox outfielder, and Tony C. was solid.

The mid to late seventies saw Jim Rice in left, Fred Lynn in center, and Dwight Evans in right. Rice was a lot better than people give him credit for, Lynn was outstanding, and Evans was the best defensive right fielder in modern Sox times.

I can't speak to the defense of the legendary Tris Speaker, who can't be considered 'modern' in any sense.

There's some honorable mention out there, too, with Rick Miller in center tracking them down and Tony Armas better than expected.

Maybe my dream Sox outfield would have Yaz in left, Evans in right, and Crisp in center. Maybe Ellsbury will eclipse Crisp and Lynn in the long run, but for now it is what it is.