A Look At David Ortiz’s Career

Dominican player David Ortiz, 

photo by Keith Allison on Flick

At age 39, David Ortiz is wrapping up a very successful career at the MLB level. He is ready to play out the last year of his contract with the Boston Red Sox, although they do have a team option for 2016 and 2017. If he does not perform at a high level this upcoming year, this could be the end for the slugger. It’s pretty amazing what he has been able to accomplish, especially with the way his career started.

Nearly every single person who follows baseball knows about Ortiz as a member of the Boston Red Sox. He has been in the middle of their lineup every year since the 2003 season. As a member of 3 World Series championships, he is going to be remembered as one of the most successful players in team history. However, some people don’t realize that he was a mediocre at best player for the Minnesota Twins for parts  of 6 seasons.

Boston decided to go after the slugger after showing some signs of life in 2002. He was able to hit 20 home runs for the 1st time in his career, and the Red Sox needed someone to provide power in the middle of the lineup. He has never really been able to play a position, but he is one of the best hitters for power and average in this generation.

Since joining Boston, Ortiz has never hit below 23 home runs in a year. His best seasons were in 2005 and 2006, when he slugged 101 home runs and drove in 285 during a 2-year stretch. Even in his age 37 season
2 seasons ago, he was still able to. 38 home runs while driving in 103. That got him in the top 10 in MVP voting for the 1st time since 2007.

Big Papi is known for his consistency in the regular season, but you become a legend in Boston with outstanding playoff performances. He was named the 2004 American League championship series MVP as
Boston went on to win the title, and then in 2013 he was MVP of the World Series. Many people look at his performance in 2013 as one of the best ever, as he hit .688 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI against the Cardinals.

Most would agree that he has been able to put up Hall of Fame caliber numbers, but we all know by now that those with any connection at all to performance-enhancing drugs will find it difficult to make it to Cooperstown. Regardless of whether or not he gets recognized there, people in fantasy baseball 2015 are still going to count on him even though he is about to be 40 years old. Not only that, but he will be remembered in Boston forever thanks to his work on and off the field.