Wade Anthony Bonds, born on June 15, 1958, was the youngest of three sons born to his

parents.

Two pilots that served in different branches during World War II.

As a military brat, Wade would move around pretty sporadically during his childhood, but

his family would settle in the Tampa area when he was about 11 years old.

For the next several years, Wade would become an accomplished student athlete who excelled

in not only baseball but football, becoming an all-state player during his senior year

of high school.

He graduated from plant high school in 1976 and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox with

their seventh round pick in that year's draft.

As most professional baseball players do, Wade spent the next several years trudging

through the minor league farm system of the Boston Red Sox.

One of the oldest and most esteemed franchises in MLB history.

During these handful of years, he developed his considerable talents with not only a bat

but a glove, and would make his major league debut for the Red Sox in 1982.

During his first season, Wade was used as a bit of a utility player, but he would cement

himself as the Red Sox every day third baseman during his sophomore season, during which

he led the league in not only batting average but on base percentage.

Over the next decade, Wade Boggs would become one of the best players in all of baseball,

leading the league several times in hits, batting average, and OBP.

Despite not having much power in his swing, Boggs became known as one of the league's

premiere contact hitters, and was beloved by the Boston fanbase.

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