David Ortiz's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of David Ortiz.

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

1931: Comparison to Ruth and Gehrig

In 2004, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez became the first pair of AL teammates to hit 40 home runs, have 100 RBIs, and bat .300 since Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig of the Yankees achieved the same feat in 1931.

1938: Tying Jimmie Foxx's record

On September 20, 2006 at Fenway Park, David Ortiz tied Jimmie Foxx's single season Red Sox home run record of 50 set in 1938.

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.

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.

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: 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: 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.

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: 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: Resurgence After Decline

After a period of decline that began in 2008, David Ortiz enjoyed a strong resurgence in his last four seasons, starting in 2012.

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.

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.

2016: Ortiz wins second Hank Aaron Award

In 2016, David Ortiz won his second Hank Aaron Award as the outstanding offensive player in the AL and was named the Esurance MLB/This Year in Baseball Award winner for Best Hitter, his third time. Ortiz also placed sixth in voting for 2016 AL MVP.

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.

2017: Red Sox to retire number 34

On October 2, 2016, during a pregame ceremony at Fenway Park, the Red Sox announced that David Ortiz's uniform number 34 would be retired during the 2017 season. Additionally, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced that the bridge that carries Brookline Avenue over the Massachusetts Turnpike would be dedicated in honor of Ortiz.