With a home run Sunday, David Ortiz became just the second Red Sox player in history with 10+ seasons of 25 or more home runs. Only Ted Williams had more such seasons (14) between 1939 and 1960.
Ortiz’ 10 years of 25 or more home runs with the Red Sox pushes him even further past Jim Rice‘s 7 such seasons. Manny Ramirez and Mo Vaughn had 6 each.
Ortiz’ achievement puts him into a 5-way tie for most such seasons among active players. Others with 10 years of 25+ home runs: Miguel Cabrera, Paul Konerko, Aramis Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano. Alex Rodriguez has the most such seasons among actives (14).
To put David’s achievements into perspective relative to all of baseball history, consider this:
- There are 44 players since 1901 with 10+ seasons of 25+ home runs.
- Ortiz is one of 16 players in history with 10 such seasons, including the actives listed above and Jeff Bagwell, Ernie Banks, Jose Canseco, Joe Carter, Jim Edmonds, Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones, Dave Kingman, Mickey Mantle, Willie Stargell, and Billy Williams.
- Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds hold the MLB record for most seasons with 25+ home runs (18 each).
- Among American League lefties, Ortiz is now 7th for all-time for most seasons of 25+ home runs. Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth lead that list with 15 each.
Big Papi is just five home runs from matching his output for all of 2013.
At this rate, Ortiz is on pace for 38 home runs in 2014. Should that happen, it will be his highest tally since his career-high of 54 roundtrippers in 2006.
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