1974–1990 · CF

Fred Lynn

6' 1", 185 lbs·Lived to 74·Bats L / Throws L

4×Gold GloveMVPROYAll-Star

The Almanac's Take

Lynn remains the only player to capture both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the same season, accomplishing the feat in 1975 while helping Boston reach the World Series. That rookie campaign featured 21 homers, 105 RBI, and a .331 average — numbers that would define his blend of power and contact throughout his career.

The center fielder's peak came four years later with that magnificent 1979 season in Boston, when his .333 average and 39 homers produced an OPS+ of 146. Lynn's career OPS+ of 119 reflects consistent above-average production across 17 seasons, though his 306 career home runs came during an era when 30-homer seasons still carried real weight.

Those four Gold Gloves speak to Lynn's defensive excellence in center field, making him a complete player who combined offensive production with elite defense. His career .283 average and 1,111 RBI demonstrate the sustained excellence that earned nine All-Star selections.

Career Highs

1.059

Best OPS · 1979

Most HR · 1979

122

Most RBI · 1979

.333

Best AVG · 1979

Career Arc · OPS

17 seasons

Statistical Comps

Vladimir Guerrero

99%

2024 season

ISO .221 · K% 13.8 · BB% 10.3 · HR% 4.3

Aaron Judge

99%

2025 season

ISO .357 · K% 23.6 · BB% 18.3 · HR% 7.8

Ketel Marte

98%

2025 season

ISO .233 · K% 14.9 · BB% 11.5 · HR% 5.0

Career · Batting

17 seasons

Year	Team	G	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	OPS+
1974	BOS	15	43	2	10	.419	1.188	171
1975	BOS	145	528	21	105	.331	.967	138
1976	BOS	132	507	10	65	.314	.835	123
1977	BOS	129	497	18	76	.260	.774	106
1978	BOS	150	541	22	82	.298	.872	124
1979	BOS	147	531	39	122	.333	1.059	146
1980	BOS	110	415	12	61	.301	.862	121
1981	CAL	76	256	5	31	.219	.639	93
1982	CAL	138	472	21	86	.299	.891	125
1983	CAL	117	437	22	74	.272	.835	117
1984	CAL	142	517	23	79	.271	.840	119
1985	BAL	124	448	23	68	.263	.787	110
1986	BAL	112	397	23	67	.287	.869	121
1987	BAL	111	396	23	60	.253	.807	108
1988	BAL	114	391	25	56	.246	.780	112
1989	DET	117	353	11	46	.241	.699	101
1990	SD	90	196	6	23	.240	.672	95
Career		1969	6925	306	1111	.283	—	—

Ask The Almanac about Fred Lynn.

Matchups, projections, comps — grounded in Lahman, Retrosheet, and Statcast.

Start a conversation →