David Ortiz was named the 2016 recipient of the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award today. It’s Papi’s eighth such award, the most in major league history. Ortiz joins Orlando Cepeda (1973), Jim Rice (1977), and Don Baylor (1986) as Red Sox who have been so honored.The Martinez award is voted on by club beat writers, broadcasters, and public relations departments. All players with at least 100 at-bats as a designated hitter are eligible for consideration.
Throughout 2016, Ortiz toppled one record after another. His 168-for-527 (.319) record over 140 games as Sox DH earned him his seventh Louisville Silver Slugger Award, the most for a DH in major league history.
Overall, Big Papi led MLB in 2016 with the most extra-base hits (87), most doubles (48), and the best OPS (1.021). Ortiz was also tied for first place in the American League for RBI (127) and intentional walks (15).
David Ortiz
flickr photo shared by Keith Allison under a Creative Commons ( BY-SA ) license
Besides Ortiz, three other Red Sox designated hitters have had 800+ at-bats in club history: Reggie Jefferson, Mike Easler, and Don Baylor. Measured by on-base and slugging percentages, Papi has easily been the most productive at .386 and .570, respectively, for a .956 OPS.