Xander Bogaerts is a name that had special significance for fans of the Boston Red Sox. Bogaerts is not only an extraordinary talent but he has a name that links him to his former team. When he made his Major League debut at the age of 20, Bogaerts became only the second player in the 113-year history of the Red Sox to contain the letters “R-e-d-S-o-x” in his name. Only Jennings Poindexter could make this claim before him. Bogaerts is not the only player in the MLB who shares a special link to their team’s name, but they are a very select group. According to baseball-reference.com, only 315 of the 18,130 players who had played in the big leagues by 2013 could use the letters in their name to spell the one emblazoned across their chest.

The "I-Team," as they are referred to, are players who can spell their team name with the letters in their name. Some former players who belong to the "I-Team" include Devin Mesoraco (Reds), Shawn Kelley (Yankees), Santiago Casilla (Giants), Daisuke Matsuzaka (Mets), Yunel Escobar (Rays), and Logan Morrison (Marlins). The Reds led the pack, with 143 players, or 7.6%, having enough letters in their name to spell the team's name. The Mets ranked second on a per-name basis, with 26 players having the necessary letters in their name to spell “M-e-t-s”. The Cubs have contributed the least to the I-Team, with less than 1% of its all-time roster having the required letters in their name.

Six MLB clubs have never had a player with enough letters in their name to spell their team’s name. Among them are the Diamondbacks and the Blue Jays, who just missed with Yunel Escobar, who couldn’t muster a “j.” Washington has had four players with the seven distinct letters in “Nationals,” but none with the required number of “n’s” and “a’s” to join the club. The Cardinals, White Sox, and Athletics have also never had a player who can spell their team’s name. Even when considering the players who suited up for the team under alternate names like the Brown Stockings, Browns, and Perfectos, the Cardinals still fall short of inclusion.

Bogaerts has made a name for himself on the field, and his association with the Red Sox only enhanced his legacy. His name is a unique identity that set him apart from his peers. The connection that some players have with their team’s name is an interesting aspect of the sport. While it may not affect their performance on the field, it does create a bond between players and their fans. As the MLB continues to grow and evolve, it will be fascinating to see which players join the I-Team and whether any of the current members can achieve even more unique name distinctions.