Wade Boggs

Soon after he became the first major-leaguer to homer for his 3,000th career hit, Boggs wondered what all the fuss was about. "I was a home run hitter in high school, but then something happened," he said. "The parks just got bigger." No matter, because Boggs adapted and become one of the greatest pure hitters the game has ever seen. He racked up at least 200 hits in seven consecutive seasons, hit .349 or better six times and reached base safely in an amazing 80 percent of the games he played in during an 18-year career. Nicknamed "Chicken Man" because of his pre-game eating habits, Boggs broke in with Boston in 1982 and had such a good rookie season, the Red Sox traded away veteran Carney Lansford during the winter. Boggs responded by leading the league in hitting, the first of his five batting titles. Although injuries began slowing him in his 30s, Boggs continued to be a standout, particularly after he signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees in 1993. Boggs made his first of four consecutive All-Star starts in pinstripes and in 1994, and age of 36, Boggs won his first Gold Glove, repeating the feat the following year. After helping New York win the 1996 World Series, Boggs moved on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, where he finished his career sporting a lifetime batting average of .328 and 12 All-Star appearances.