Some may grumble that the send off for David Ortiz was too much and too long, but I’m not among them. Because in many ways, Ortiz is the best of my generation.
You know the old timers who remember Ted Williams in his prime? That’ll be us talking about Big Papi. We’ll be talking about the time we watched one of this franchise’s very best, the great clutch player who, with a mighty swing and brilliant smile, literally changed the course of Red Sox history.
David Ortiz, the slugger with more walk-off home runs for Boston (10) than any other player in club history. The player who, since his Boston debut in 2003 and the ensuing 1,953 games, delivered 128 two-out, go-ahead RBI, more by far than any other player in that time—and likely before that time, too. More clutch, go-ahead RBI than Jim Rice (104), Williams (94), or Carl Yastrzemski (118) delivered in 136, 339, and 1,355 more games, respectively.
And if that’s not enough—and really, how could it not be?—Ortiz has meant as much off the field as on. He has been a faithful and effective ambassador of the game and best of all, he did it in Boston.
Retire his number? Name a bridge in his honor? Fête him with all manner of proclamations and awards? Absolutely! Why not? David Ortiz is one the club’s Great Ones.
Ortiz’ Mark In MLB History
Overall, Big Papi, a 10-time All-Star, finished his 20th big league season with a career slash line of .286 AVG/.380 OBP/.552 SLG in 2,408 games (8,640 at-bats), with 541 home runs. He leaves the game tied for the 8th most extra-base hits (1,192), the 10th most doubles (632), and the 17th most home runs in major league history.
Among fellow American League players, only Babe Ruth (1,350) and Alex Rodríguez (1,275) had more extra-base hits than Ortiz.
No other designated hitter in MLB history comes anywhere near his record book, with Ortiz tops in every offensive category.
In His Final Season
- Batting Average Ortiz was 169-for-537 (.315), his 2nd best mark in season with more than 90 games played. His 182-for-549 (.332) AVG in 2007 was a career best.
- OBP/SLG/OPS Ortiz owned a .401 on-base percentage (4th best of career overall, 6th best in MLB this season) and a .620 slugging percentage (tops in MLB, career 3rd best) for a 1.021 OPS (tops in MLB, career 4th best).
- Doubles Ortiz stroked 48 doubles, the most in MLB and his most in a single season since a career high of 52 in 2007.
- Extra Base Hits Ortiz’ 87 doubles, triples, and homers were the most in baseball this season. His 1,192 career XBHs tie him for 7th most in MLB history.
- Home Runs Ortiz belted 37 HRs, his 4th most in a single season. His career high was 54 HR in 2006.
- Runs Batted In Ortiz collected 137 RBI, tied for the 2nd most in baseball and his 4th most in a single season. His 148 in 2005 was his career high.
- Walks Ortiz walked 80 times in 2016, his 5th most in a single season. His career high was 119 in 2006.
- Total Bases Ortiz touched 333 total bases this season, the 10th most in MLB this season and his 5th most in a single season. He had a career high 363 TB in 2005.
- Stolen Bases The big man managed two SB this season. It was his first season with a steal since amassing four in 2013.
- Strikeouts Ortiz limited himself to 86 strikeouts in 2016, his fewest since striking out 83 times in 2011.
Among All-Time Red Sox, Ortiz is…
- 2nd in Home Runs (483)
- 3rd in Doubles (524)
- 3rd in Extra-Base Hits (1,023)
- 3rd in RBI (1,530)
- 4th in Walks (1,133)
- 4th in Times On Base (3,241)
- 5th in Games Played (1,953)
- 5th in Runs Scored (1,204)
- 5th in Total Bases (4,084)
- 6th in Hits (2,079)
For All-Time at Fenway Ortiz is
- 2nd in Intentional Walks (112)
- 3rd in Home Runs (222)
- 3rd in Doubles (325)
- 3rd in Extra-Base Hits (560)
- 3rd in RBI (842)
- 3rd in Isolated Power (.278), minimum 1,000 PA
- 4th in Slugging Percentage (.587), minimum 1,000 PA
- 4th in Walks (614)
- 4th in Times On Base (1,765)
- 5th in Games Played (1,013)
- 5th in Runs Scored (644)
- 5th in Total Bases (2,152)
- 6th in Hits (1,139)
Among players age 40+, Ortiz was…
- 1st in Home Runs (38)
- 1st in Doubles (48)
- 1st in Extra-Base Hits (87)
- 1st in RBI (127)
- 1st in Slugging Percentage (.620), minimum 500 at-bats
- 1st in OPS (1.021), minimum 500 at-bats
- 1st in Isolated Power (.305), minimum 500 at-bats
- 2nd in Batting Average (.315), minimum 500 at-bats
- 2nd in On-Base Percentage (.401), minimum 500 at-bats
- 4th in Hits (169)
- 5th in Plate Appearances (626)
- 6th in Wins Above Replacement (2.9)
- 9th in Runs (79)
- 3rd in RBI (842)
- 3rd in Isolated Power (.278), minimum 1,000 PA
- 4th in Slugging Percentage (.587), minimum 1,000 PA
- 4th in Walks (614)
- 4th in Times On Base (1,765)
- 5th in Games Played (1,013)
- 5th in Runs Scored (644)
- 5th in Total Bases (2,152)
- 6th in Hits (1,139)