Red Sox great Dwight Evans may make it to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020 thanks to a nomination on the Modern Baseball Era ballot. Evans was one of ten nominees announced Monday. The others are Steve Garvey, Tommy John, Don Mattingly, Marvin Miller, Thurman Munson, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Ted Simmons and Lou Whitaker.
Evans, a three-time All-Star who is currently a Minor Leaguer Player Development Consultant to the Red Sox, played in 20 big league seasons (1972-91), with all but the last in a Boston uniform. His 2,505 games played and 16 consecutive Opening Day starts (1975-90) are second-most in club history only to Carl Yastrzemski (3,308 games, 20 Opening Day starts).
Again and again Dewey shows up in the record books. During the 1980s no American Leaguer had more home runs (251) and no player of either league had more extra-base hits (605). His record 13 home runs in August 1987 still stands as a club record for the month (also Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx in 1940). At Fenway Park, Evans’ 199 career home runs is the fifth-most in venue history.
Evans is one of three Red Sox ever to record a first career home run and first career triple in the same game (September 20, 1972), joining Rico Petrocelli (1965) and Andrew Benintendi (2016). Evans was the first (and one of seven in club history) to earn both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Awards in the same season (1981). His eight career Gold Gloves are the most in franchise history.
Just 12 Votes Away
The Modern Baseball Era is one of four Era committees, each of which, on a rotating basis, affords an extra opportunity for access to the Hallowed Hall. The 16 members of the committee will vote December 8th at the Baseball Winter Meetings. Nominees receiving 75% of the ballots cast will be honored at induction ceremonies on July 26, 2020.