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6. David Ortiz

6. David Ortiz
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: November 18, 1975 in Santo Domingo, Di D.R.
  • Weight: 230 lbs.
  • Height: 6'3"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: September 02, 1997
  • Final Game: October 02, 2016
  • ALCS MVP - 2004
  • Silver Slugger - 2004
  • TSN All-Star - 2004
  • Hank Aaron Award - 2005
  • Silver Slugger - 2005
  • TSN All-Star - 2005
  • Silver Slugger - 2006
  • TSN All-Star - 2006
  • Silver Slugger - 2007
  • TSN All-Star - 2007
  • Roberto Clemente Award - 2011
  • Silver Slugger - 2011
  • Silver Slugger - 2013
  • World Series MVP - 2013
  • Hank Aaron Award - 2016
  • Outstanding DH Award - 2016
  • Silver Slugger - 2016
  • TSN All-Star - 2016
  • MVP - 2003
  • MVP - 2004
  • MVP - 2005
  • MVP - 2006
  • MVP - 2007
  • MVP - 2013
  • MVP - 2015
  • MVP - 2016
 
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17280283849441082353634 0.286
 

There will be a question one day as to just who is the greatest Designated Hitter of all time.  For many, there is no question, as it is David Ortiz.

The Minnesota Twins questioned it, as they released him after the 2002 season.  The Red Sox signed him, and the legend of “Big Papi” began immediately.  In his first year in Boston (2003), Ortiz had 31 Home Runs and 101 RBIs, and he followed that with his first of nine All-Star Games the year after.  His power numbers increased with 41 Home Runs and 139 RBIs, and he was one of the anchors of the Boston team that broke the curse and won the World Series. 

Ortiz remained a power threat for the rest of his career.  The Dominican DH would have eight more 30 HR seasons, including the 2006 year, where he won the Home Run Title with 54 taters.  That year and the season before, he was also first in the American League in RBIs.

He was not just a power hitter, as he was capable of hitting for average.  On seven occasions for Boston, Ortiz batted over .300, and also was first in the league in Walks twice, with an OBP title in 2007.  Considering he was not in the field much, his hitting was so good that even in the advanced metric era, Ortiz was in the top five in MVP voting each year from 2003 to 2007.  An All-Star ten times, he was also a vital part of Boston's World Series wins in 2007 and 2013.

In his last year in baseball, he proved it didn't have to be, and that he was leaving on his own terms.  Ortiz led the AL in Doubles (48), RBIs (127), Slugging Percentage (.620), and OPS (1.021).  He retired afterward, in what has to be considered one of the best swansongs in baseball.

With Boston, Ortiz would accumulate 483 Home Runs, 1,530 RBIs, and a Slash Line of .290/.386/.570.  His playoff numbers were stellar with the Sox, as he won the 2004 ALCS MVP, the 2013 World Series MVP, had 17 Home Runs, and a World Series Slash Line of .455/.576./.795.  If that is not the definition of a clutch hitter, we don’t know what is!

Ortiz entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first try (2022), three years after Boston retired his number 34.  The Red Sox inducted Ortiz into their Hall of Fame in 2020.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: First Base, Designated Hitter
  • Acquired: Signed as a Free Agent 1/22/03.
  • Departed: Retired 11/15/16.
  • Games Played: 1953
  • Notable Statistics: 1,204 Runs Scored
    2,079 Hits
    534 Doubles
    16 Triples
    483 Home Runs
    1,530 Runs Batted In
    13 Stolen Bases
    .290/.386/.570 Slash Line
    52.7 bWAR

    76 Playoff Games
    51 Runs Scored
    80 Hits
    19 Doubles
    2 Triples
    17 Home Runs
    57 Runs Batted In
    0 Stolen Bases
    .291/.415/.560 Slash Line
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Champion (2004, 2007 & 2013)
    All-Star (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2016)
    Silver Slugger (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2013 & 2016)
    World Series MVP (2013)
    ALCS MVP (2004)
    Edgar Martinez Award (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2013 & 2016)
    Hank Aaron Award (2016)
    Roberto Clemente Award (2011)
    Babe Ruth Award (2013)
    Highest On Base Percentage (2007)
    Highest Slugging Percentage (2016)
    Highest OPS (2016)
    Most Total Bases (2006)
    Most Doubles (2016)
    Most Home Runs (2006)
    Most Runs Batted In (2005, 2006 & 2016)
    Most Walks (2006 & 2007)
    Most Extra Base Hits (2004, 2005, 2008 & 2016)
    Most Intentional Walks (2013, 2015 & 2016)
    Highest Win Probability Added (2005 & 2006)
    Highest Championship Win Probability Added (2005 & 2006)

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