David Ortiz
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| David Ortiz | |
|---|---|
 Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source | |
| Name | David Ortiz |
| Caption | Ortiz with the Boston Red Sox in 2016 |
| Position | Designated hitter / First baseman |
| Birth date | 18 November 1975 |
| Birth place | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Bats | Left |
| Throws | Left |
| Debutleague | MLB |
| Debutdate | September 2 |
| Debutyear | 1997 |
| Debutteam | Minnesota Twins |
| Finalleague | MLB |
| Finaldate | October 10 |
| Finalyear | 2016 |
| Finalteam | Boston Red Sox |
| Statleague | MLB |
| Stat1label | Batting average |
| Stat1value | .286 |
| Stat2label | Hits |
| Stat2value | 2,472 |
| Stat3label | Home runs |
| Stat3value | 541 |
| Stat4label | Runs batted in |
| Stat4value | 1,768 |
| Teams | As player, Minnesota Twins (1997–2002), Boston Red Sox (2003–2016), As analyst, Fox Sports |
| Highlights | * 10× All-Star (2004–2008, 2010–2013, 2016) * 3× World Series champion (2004, 2007, 2013) * World Series MVP (2013) * 7× Silver Slugger Award winner * 2× Hank Aaron Award winner * MLB home run champion (2006) * MLB RBI champion (2005, 2006) * Boston Red Sox #34 retired * Major League Baseball All-Century Team |
David Ortiz is a Dominican-American former professional baseball designated hitter and first baseman who played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily for the Boston Red Sox. A ten-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion, he was a key figure in ending the Curse of the Bambino and leading the Red Sox to championships in 2004, 2007, and 2013. Known for his powerful left-handed hitting and clutch postseason performances, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2022.
Early life and career
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Ortiz was signed as an international free agent by the Seattle Mariners in 1992. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins in 1996, making his major league debut at the Metrodome in 1997. During his tenure with the Twins, he showed flashes of power but struggled with consistency and injuries, often sharing time at designated hitter with veterans like Matt Lawton. After being released by Minnesota following the 2002 season, he signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox in January 2003, a move orchestrated by general manager Theo Epstein.
Boston Red Sox career
Joining a lineup featuring Manny Ramírez and Nomar Garciaparra, Ortiz quickly became a central figure at Fenway Park. His breakout 2004 season was instrumental in the Red Sox's historic comeback against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, culminating in the team's first World Series title since 1918. Under managers Terry Francona and later John Farrell, Ortiz continued to dominate, winning the 2006 home run title and delivering iconic moments, such as his game-tying grand slam in the 2013 American League Championship Series. His legendary postseason prowess earned him the World Series MVP award in 2013. Following the 2016 season, he retired after an emotional final year that included an All-Star selection and a final game in the American League Division Series.
Post-playing career and legacy
Since retiring, Ortiz has served as a studio analyst for Fox Sports and ESPN. In 2019, he survived a shooting attack at a nightclub in Santo Domingo. The Boston Red Sox retired his uniform number 34 in 2017, and he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in his first year of eligibility, with notable support from writers like Peter Gammons. His philanthropic work is carried out through the David Ortiz Children's Fund, and he remains a beloved ambassador for the game, often participating in events at Fenway Park and being honored with a statue on Yawkey Way.
Personal life
Ortiz married his longtime girlfriend, Tiffany, in 2002, and they have three children. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 2008 during a ceremony at the U.S. District Court in Miami. A prominent figure in the Dominican-American community, he splits his time between Boston and the Dominican Republic. In the wake of his shooting, he received widespread support from figures across Major League Baseball, including former teammate Pedro Martínez and Commissioner Rob Manfred.
Awards and achievements
Ortiz's accolades include ten All-Star selections, three World Series rings, and the 2013 World Series MVP award. He won the Silver Slugger Award seven times and the Hank Aaron Award twice, in 2005 and 2006. He led the American League in RBI in both those seasons and in home runs in 2006. His number 34 is retired by the Boston Red Sox, and his election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2022 cemented his status as one of the most impactful designated hitters in baseball history.
Category:American baseball players Category:Boston Red Sox players Category:National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees