Carl Yastrzemski (1939-), Boston Red Sox Left Fielder (1961-1983), 18-Time MLB All-Star, AL Triple Crown and MVP (1967), 7-Time Gold Glove Winner, MLB All-Star MVP (1970)

[DonRocks]

Cal Yastrzemski, affectionately (and practically) known as "Yaz" by his fans, was an incredibly durable 18-time All-Star for the Boston Red Sox. Although he played some of his later career at 1st Base and Designated Hitter, he was primarily known as a Left Fielder. Yaz was the first player with both 3,000 hits and 400 home runs. His longevity made him not only a beloved fixture in Boston, but also earned him second place all-time in MLB Games Played, and third place all-time for MLB At-Bats. He is the all-time Red Sox leader in career RBIs, runs, hits, singles, doubles, total bases, and games played, and is third only to Ted Williams and David Ortiz in home runs. What a career this man had, especially in 1967 when he won both the AL Triple Crown and MVP Award.

Here is an ESPN "SportsCentury" documentary (a wonderful biography series which ran from 1999-2007) about Carl Yastrzemski, who seems to be unjustifiably fading (along with other great outfielders such as Al Kaline, Tony Oliva, etc.) in the minds of young baseball fans:

[lovehockey]

My mom loves Yaz.  So when I stood in front of his statue at Fenway not long ago, I wished she was there with me as she had been to Fenway when she was in her 20s (alas, I told her I was going the day before I went to Fenway for a game, and she was half a continent away).