Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jim Rice

How Jim Rice built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jim Rice, an American former professional baseball player, spent his entire 16-year MLB career with the Boston Red Sox as a left fielder and designated hitter. Known for his powerful hitting and aggressive style of play, Rice was a consistent offensive threat, earning numerous accolades, including the American League MVP award in 1978. His impressive statistics and contributions to the Red Sox led to his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009, solidifying his legacy as one of the franchise's greatest players.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1973: Junior World Series Win

In 1973, Jim Rice's three-run home run was instrumental in the Pawtucket Red Sox's 5–2 victory over the Tulsa Oilers in the Junior World Series.

1974: AAA International League Awards

In 1974, Jim Rice was named the International League Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and Triple Crown winner in AAA. This led to him being brought up to the Red Sox.

1975: Part of the sport's great outfields

From 1975, Jim Rice became part of one of baseball's great outfields, playing alongside Fred Lynn and Dwight Evans.

1975: Start of a remarkable period

From 1975, Jim Rice began a period of exceptional performance, establishing himself as a leading player in hits, RBIs, and total bases through 1986.

1975: Start of productive span

From 1975, Jim Rice began his most productive 12-season span through 1986, leading AL players in games, at bats, runs scored, hits, homers, RBIs, slugging percentage, total bases, extra base hits, go-ahead RBIs, multi-hit games, and outfield assists.

1975: Full-Time Player and Rookie of the Year

In 1975, Jim Rice became a full-time player for the Red Sox, finishing second for the American League's Rookie of the Year and third in MVP voting. The Red Sox won the AL's East Division, but Rice missed the playoffs due to injury.

1975: MVP Voting

In 1975, Jim Rice finished in the top five in MVP voting.

1977: AL Leader in Offensive Categories

At the end of the 1977 season, Jim Rice led the American League in home runs with 39, slugging average at .593, and total bases with 392.

1977: AL Leader in Home Runs

In 1977, Jim Rice led the AL in home runs and slugging percentage for the first time.

1978: MLB leader in home runs and hits

In 1978, Jim Rice became the fourth and final MLB player to lead both leagues at the same time in hitting the most home runs and having the most hits in the same season.

1978: Most Valuable Player Award

In 1978, Jim Rice had his best season, winning the American League's Most Valuable Player award by hitting .315 with 46 home runs, 139 RBIs, 213 hits, 15 triples, and 406 total bases.

1978: AL Leader in Multiple Categories

In 1978, Jim Rice led the AL in home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage.

1978: Named AL's Most Valuable Player

In 1978, Jim Rice was named the American League's Most Valuable Player after becoming the first major league player in 19 years to achieve 400 total bases.

1979: Superb Season in 1979

In 1979, Jim Rice had another superb season, finishing in the top three in eight different AL batting categories. He also led the league in total bases for the third straight time.

1979: AL Leader in Total Bases

In 1979, Jim Rice was an American League All-Star eight times. He finished his MLB career with a .298 batting average, 373 doubles, 79 triples, 382 home runs, 1,451 RBIs, 1,249 runs scored, 2,452 hits, 670 walks, and 4,129 total bases.

1979: Honorary Chairman of The Jimmy Fund

In 1979, Jim Rice was named an honorary chairman of The Jimmy Fund, the fundraising arm of the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

1980: End of the great outfields era

1980 marked the end of Jim Rice being part of one of baseball's great outfields, playing alongside Fred Lynn and Dwight Evans since 1975.

1980: All Star Selection

In 1980, Jim Rice was an American League All-Star.

August 7, 1982: Rescued Young Fan

On August 7, 1982, during a nationally televised game, Jim Rice rushed into the stands to help a young boy struck in the head by a line drive. He carried the boy to the clubhouse and paid the hospital bill, saving his life.

1982: Led the league for four seasons

Between 1982 and 1985, Jim Rice led the league for four seasons which tied the major league record that had been established by Ernie Lombardi.

1983: Led AL in Four Categories

At the end of the 1983 season, Jim Rice led the American League in home runs, RBIs, total bases, and grounding into double plays.

1983: Most Assists by Red Sox Outfielder

In 1983, Jim Rice had 21 assists, the most by a Red Sox outfielder since 1944.

1983: AL Leader in Home Runs and RBIs

In 1983, Jim Rice led the AL in home runs and RBIs.

1984: Silver Slugger Award

In 1984, Jim Rice won a Silver Slugger Award.

1985: Led the league for four seasons

Between 1982 and 1985, Jim Rice led the league for four seasons which tied the major league record that had been established by Ernie Lombardi.

1986: End of productive span

1986 marked the end of Jim Rice's most productive 12-season span since 1975, leading AL players in games, at bats, runs scored, hits, homers, RBIs, slugging percentage, total bases, extra base hits, go-ahead RBIs, multi-hit games, and outfield assists.

1986: End of a remarkable period

1986 marked the end of a period of exceptional performance since 1975, where Jim Rice established himself as a leading player in hits, RBIs, and total bases.

1986: MVP Voting

In 1986, Jim Rice finished in the top five in MVP voting.

1986: World Series Appearance

In 1986, Jim Rice had 200 hits, batted .324, and had 110 RBIs. He played in all 14 postseason games, collecting 14 hits. The Red Sox lost the World Series to the New York Mets.

1988: Broke AL Record for GIDP

In 1988, Jim Rice broke Brooks Robinson's AL record for GIDP by a right-handed hitter.

1990: Plays for St. Petersburg Pelicans

In 1990, Jim Rice agreed to play for the St. Petersburg Pelicans of the short-lived Senior Professional Baseball Association.

1992: Roving Batting Coach for Red Sox

In 1992, Jim Rice served as a roving batting coach with the Red Sox organization.

1992: Awarded the "Jimmy Award"

In 1992, Jim Rice was awarded the "Jimmy Award" by The Jimmy Fund for his dedication to cancer research.

1994: Roving Batting Coach for Red Sox

In 1994, Jim Rice served as a roving batting coach with the Red Sox organization.

1995: Hitting Instructor for Red Sox; Inducted into Red Sox Hall of Fame

In 1995, Jim Rice served as a hitting instructor with the Red Sox organization and was elected to the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame when it was established.

1997: Red Sox Lead League in Hitting; All-Star Game Hitting Coach

In 1997, as the Red Sox hitting coach, the team led the league in hitting and players won two batting titles. Rice was also the hitting coach for the American League in the 1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

1999: Ripken Surpasses Rice's Mark

In 1999, Cal Ripken Jr. surpassed Jim Rice's record for GIDP by a right-handed hitter.

1999: All-Star Game Hitting Coach

In 1999, Jim Rice was the hitting coach for the American League in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

1999: Youth Baseball Facility Named in His Honor

In 1999, a new youth baseball facility in Roxbury, Massachusetts, was named in Jim Rice's honor due to his involvement with Major League Baseball's RBI program.

2000: Hitting Instructor for Red Sox

In 2000, Jim Rice was a hitting instructor with the Red Sox organization.

2001: Instructional Batting Coach; Inducted into Ted Williams' Museum

In 2001, Jim Rice remained an instructional batting coach with the Red Sox organization. Also in 2001, Rice was inducted as the 40th member of Ted Williams' Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame with Paul Molitor, Dave Winfield and Robin Yount.

2003: Commentator for NESN

Since 2003, Jim Rice has been employed as a commentator for the New England Sports Network (NESN), contributing to the Red Sox pre-game and post-game shows.

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