David Ortiz
His clutch perfomance against the Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series will keep David Ortiz in the hearts of Red Sox faithful forever. In Games Four and Five at Fenway Park, Ortiz belted walk-off, game-winning hits in extra-innings. In Game Seven at Yankee Stadium, he belted a first inning two-run homer to get the ball rolling for a Red Sox rout. Overall, through 2005, "Big Papi" had delivered 28 RBI in 29 post-season games for Boston. Following the 2002 campaign, the Twins, who rarely allowed Ortiz to face everyday pitching, released the first baseman. Immediately, Boston brass realized that Ortiz's swing was made for bandbox Fenway. He was signed as a free agent, and in his first three years in a Red Sox uniform he delivered 31, 41, and 47 homers, with escalating RBI totals as well: 101, 139, and 148. In 2005, he nearly became the first full-time DH to win the Most Valuable Player Award, but narrowly lost the honor to Alex Rodriguez.
Played For
Minnesota Twins (1997-2002)
Boston Red Sox (2003-2005)
All-Time Rankings
David Ortiz ranks #4 among the Top 50 all-time at DH. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 2005
To date, it's the best season ever by a designated hitter.
Factoids
On April 17, 2006, David Ortiz hit two homers at fenway park in the Red Sox annual Patriot's Day game. His second homer knotted the score at 4-4, and it was his 125th homer as a member of the Red Sox, and his 500th hit for the team.
Born
David Americo (Arias) Ortiz was born on November 18, 1975, in Santo Domingo
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: MIN
Major League Debut
September 2, 1997
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1997
Todd Helton
Miguel Tejada
Derrek Lee
Magglio Ordonez
Jason Varitek
Kevin Millwood
Matt Morris
Derek Lowe
Keith Foulke
Nicknames
Papi, Big Papi, Cookie Monster
Related Players
Alex Rodriguez
Post-Season Appearances
2002 American League Championship Series
2002 American League Divisional Series
2003 American League Championship Series
2003 American League Divisional Series
2004 American League Championship Series
2004 American League Divisional Series
2004 World Series
2005 American League Divisional Series
Awards and Honors
2004 AL ALCS MVP
All-Star Selections
2004 AL
2005 AL
Best Strength as a Player
His strength
Largest Weakness as a Player
Defensive range at first base, or any other position for that metter.
Learn More about David Ortiz
Search Amazon.com for Books about David Ortiz ⇒
Search for David Ortiz at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
