Career Timeline of David Ortiz: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of David Ortiz, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican-American former professional baseball designated hitter. He played 20 seasons in MLB (1997-2016), mostly for the Boston Red Sox. After playing with the Minnesota Twins for six seasons, he joined the Red Sox and played a key role in ending their 86-year World Series drought in 2004, and won championships in 2007 and 2013, being named World Series MVP in 2013. In his first five seasons with the Red Sox, he averaged 41 home runs and 128 RBIs, leading the AL twice in RBIs and setting the team's single-season record of 54 home runs in 2006. He consistently ranked in the top five for the AL MVP award during those years.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

November 28, 1992: Signing with the Seattle Mariners

On November 28, 1992, just 10 days after his 17th birthday, David Ortiz was signed by the Seattle Mariners, who listed him as "David Arias".

1992: Twins' First Winning Season Since 1992

In 2001, the Twins had their first winning season since 1992.

1994: Professional Debut in the Arizona League

In 1994, David Ortiz made his professional debut for the Mariners in the Arizona League, batting .246 with two home runs and 20 RBI.

1995: Improved Performance in the Arizona League

By 1995, David Ortiz had improved his performance in the Arizona League, batting .332 with four home runs and 37 RBI.

September 13, 1996: Trade to the Minnesota Twins

On September 13, 1996, David Ortiz was traded to the Minnesota Twins as the player to be named later to complete an earlier transaction. He requested to be listed as "David Ortiz".

1996: Promotion to Single-A and Recognition

In 1996, David Ortiz was promoted to the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, where he established himself as a top hitting prospect and was named the most exciting player in the Midwest League by Baseball America.

September 2, 1997: MLB Debut for the Twins

On September 2, 1997, David Ortiz made his MLB debut for the Minnesota Twins.

1997: Ortiz's MLB Debut

In 1997, David Ortiz began his 20-season career in Major League Baseball.

1997: Rise Through the Twins System

In 1997, David Ortiz quickly progressed through the Twins system, reaching Triple-A and earning a September call-up to the Twins' MLB club.

1998: Ortiz's 1998 Season

In 1998, David Ortiz aimed to play as the regular first baseman for the Twins, faced challenges with manager Tom Kelly's preferred style, fractured his wrist, and finished the season batting .277 with nine home runs and 46 RBI in 86 games.

1999: Sent Down to Triple-A

In 1999, after a tough spring training, David Ortiz was sent down to the Triple-A Salt Lake Buzz, and later earned a September call-up but struggled.

June 2000: Establishing Himself as a Regular

By June 2000, David Ortiz finally established himself as an MLB regular, primarily as a designated hitter for the Twins.

2001: Injury and Inconsistent Performance

In 2001, David Ortiz started strong but suffered another wrist fracture, affecting his production and leading to a disappointing .234 average, though he showed promise with 11 home runs in the final two months.

August 2002: Home Run off Pedro Martínez

After his release from the Twins, Ortiz had a chance encounter with Pedro Martinez who remembered the home run Ortiz had hit off him in August 2002.

2002: Tragedy and Career Best Season

In 2002, David Ortiz faced the tragedy of his mother's death, battled knee injuries, and had a tale of two seasons, with a disappointing first half followed by a strong second half. He hit a memorable home run off Pedro Martínez on August 16 and finished with career bests in home runs and RBI.

2003: Avoided Arbitration

At the end of the 2011 season, David Ortiz headed for free agency for the first time since being released by the Twins in 2003.

2003: 2003 Postseason Performance

In the 2003 postseason, David Ortiz struggled in the ALDS until Game 4, where he hit a crucial two-run double. In the AL Championship Series, he hit two home runs, including one in Game 7, but the Red Sox lost the series.

2003: Release from the Twins

On December 16, David Ortiz was released by the Minnesota Twins as a cost-cutting move after the 2002 season.

2004: 2004 Postseason Walk-Off Home Runs

During the 2004 postseason, David Ortiz had two career walk-off home runs, the first of which clinched the AL Division Series.

2004: Salary arbitration agreement

In 2004, David Ortiz and the Red Sox avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $4.6 million salary for the season. Ortiz and his agent initially sought $5 million, while the Red Sox countered with $4.2 million, leading to the agreed-upon compromise.

2004: 100th career home run and contract extension

In 2004, David Ortiz hit his 100th career home run on May 28. It was a grand slam against the Seattle Mariners. During May 2004, Ortiz also signed a two-year contract extension with the Red Sox worth $12.5 million. He finished the 2004 season with 41 home runs and 139 RBI while batting .301.

2004: World Series Championship

In 2004, David Ortiz played a leading role in ending the Boston Red Sox's 86-year World Series championship drought.

2004: Ortiz in the Postseason

In 2004, David Ortiz played in the postseason batting .289 (88-for-304) with 22 doubles, 2 triples, 17 home runs, 61 RBI, 59 walks, .404 on-base percentage, .543 slugging percentage, and .947 on-base plus slugging percentage.

2004: Postseason heroics and World Series victory

In the 2004 postseason, David Ortiz had multiple game-winning hits, including a series-winning home run in the AL Division Series and walk-off hits in Games 4 and 5 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, earning him AL Championship Series MVP honors. He then hit a home run in Game 1 of the 2004 World Series, helping the Red Sox sweep the St. Louis Cardinals and win their first World Series Championship in 86 years.

2005: Career highs and clutch performances

In 2005, David Ortiz set new career highs with 47 home runs and 148 RBI, batting .300 with an OPS of 1.001. Throughout 2005, he had multiple game-winning hits. He was also presented with a plaque proclaiming him "the greatest clutch-hitter in the history of the Boston Red Sox."

2006: Single-Season Home Run Record

In 2006, David Ortiz set the Boston Red Sox's single-season record of 54 home runs.

2006: Contract extension and record-breaking season

In 2006, David Ortiz signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension with the Red Sox. He hit his 200th career home run on June 29. On September 21, 2006, Ortiz broke the Red Sox single-season home run record by hitting his 51st home run. He finished the 2006 season with a career-high 54 home runs.

2007: Playing first base

During 2009, David Ortiz played first base for the first time since the 2007 season.

2007: Ortiz founds David Ortiz Children's Fund

In 2007, David Ortiz founded the David Ortiz Children's Fund to support a range of causes and to help children from Boston to the Dominican Republic and beyond.

2007: Key role in World Series title

In 2007, David Ortiz played an instrumental role in leading the Red Sox to their seventh World Series title. During the 2007 regular season, he had 35 home runs and 117 RBI while batting a career-best .332.

2007: Second World Series Championship

In 2007, David Ortiz won another World Series championship with the Boston Red Sox.

2007: MVP voting

In 2013, David Ortiz finished 10th in AL MVP voting, the first season he garnered votes since 2007.

2007: Continued clutch hitting in the postseason

In the 2007 postseason, David Ortiz continued his clutch hitting, batting .714 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the Division Series with two home runs. Ortiz hit .333 in the 2007 World Series, with 4 RBI, and Boston swept the Colorado Rockies to win their second World Series Championship in four years.

2008: Ortiz uses his likeness on a charity wine label

In 2008, David Ortiz allowed his likeness to be used on a charity wine label, called Vintage Papi, with proceeds going to the Children's Fund.

2008: Injury and All-Star selection

In 2008, David Ortiz had a slow start due to a wrist injury, playing in 109 games and finishing the season with 23 home runs and 89 RBI while batting .264. Despite his struggles, Ortiz was named to his fifth All-Star team in 2008.

2009: Breaking the DH home run record

In 2009, David Ortiz struggled early in the season but broke out in June. On July 9, 2009, he hit his 300th career home run. On September 17, 2009, Ortiz hit his 270th career home run as a DH, breaking the all-time record held by Frank Thomas.

2010: Resurgence and Home Run Derby win

In 2010, David Ortiz started slowly but returned to All-Star form, finishing with .270, 32 home runs and 102 RBI. At the 2010 All-Star Game, Ortiz won the Home Run Derby contest.

2011: Team Option Picked Up

At the end of the 2010 season, the Red Sox announced that they would pick up the $12.5 million team option on David Ortiz's contract for 2011.

2011: Milestones, Brawl, and Clemente Award

In 2011, David Ortiz continued to produce, batting .309 with 29 home runs and 96 RBI. On April 2, 2011, he set the record for RBI by a designated hitter with 1,004. On May 21, 2011, Ortiz became the fifth player to hit 300 home runs as a member of the Red Sox. On July 15, 2011, Ortiz was suspended for four games for his part in a brawl against the Baltimore Orioles. At the end of the year, Ortiz was named the winner of the Roberto Clemente Award.

2012: 400th career home run and injury

In 2012, David Ortiz hit .405 in the first month. On July 4, 2012, Ortiz hit his 400th career home run. On July 16, 2012, Ortiz suffered an injury to his right Achilles tendon.

2012: Avoided Arbitration

On December 7, 2011, David Ortiz accepted the Red Sox offer of salary arbitration, and the two sides again avoided hearings by agreeing to a $14.575 million figure for the 2012 season.

2013: Return from injury and Fenway speech

In 2013, David Ortiz rebounded from his injury, hitting 30 home runs with 103 RBI and batting .309. On April 20, 2013, before the first game at Fenway Park since the Boston Marathon bombing, Ortiz gave an emotional speech, stating, "This is our fucking city, and no one is going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong."

2013: World Series MVP

In 2013, David Ortiz was named the World Series Most Valuable Player after winning another championship with the Boston Red Sox.

March 23, 2014: Contract extension

On March 23, 2014, David Ortiz signed a one-year, $16 million contract extension for the 2015 season, with team options for 2016 and 2017.

November 18, 2015: Ortiz announces retirement

On November 18, 2015, which was his 40th birthday, David Ortiz announced on The Players' Tribune website that he would retire following the 2016 season.

2015: Ortiz hits 37 home runs and 108 RBI

In 2015, David Ortiz had 37 home runs and 108 RBIs, with a .273 batting average. He also finished in the top 10 in the American League in both home runs and RBIs for the eighth time in his career.

2015: Contract Extension

On March 23, 2014, David Ortiz signed a one-year, $16 million contract extension for the 2015 season, with team options for 2016 and 2017.

2016: Retirement season

David Ortiz announced on November 18, 2015 he would retire following the 2016 season.

2016: Ortiz's Retirement

In 2016, David Ortiz concluded his 20-season career in Major League Baseball.

2016: Ortiz joined UNICEF Kid Power

In 2016, David Ortiz joined UNICEF Kid Power as a brand ambassador Kid Power Champion for a global mission in Burkina Faso.

2016: Ortiz's final season statistics

In 2016, David Ortiz's final season, he hit 38 home runs and had 127 RBIs, with a .315 batting average. He finished in the top 10 in the AL in home runs and RBI for the ninth time in his career and led the AL and MLB with a 1.021 OPS.

October 2017: Ortiz joins MLB on Fox as sports analyst

In October 2017, David Ortiz joined MLB on Fox as a part-time sports analyst for the coverage of the 2017 World Series.

2017: Ortiz roast raised $335,000 for his Children's Fund

In 2017, a roast of David Ortiz raised $335,000 for his Children's Fund.

2017: Potential contract year

On March 23, 2014, David Ortiz signed a one-year, $16 million contract extension for the 2015 season. The extension also included two team option years to potentially keep him under contract with the Red Sox through the 2017 season.