David Ortiz's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

David Ortiz, known as "Big Papi", is a Dominican-American former MLB designated hitter and first baseman who played for 20 seasons (1997-2016), mainly with the Boston Red Sox. After a modest start with the Minnesota Twins, he became a key player for the Red Sox, helping them break their 86-year World Series drought in 2004 and win further championships in 2007 and 2013. He was 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. He also finished in the top five in AL MVP voting for five consecutive years.

Sections (6)

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

1931: Historical Comparison

In 2004, Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were compared to Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig who hit back-to-back home runs for the Yankees in 1931, highlighting their exceptional performance as a duo, hitting back-to-back home runs six times.

1938: Tying Jimmie Foxx's Record

In 2006, Ortiz tied Jimmie Foxx's single season Red Sox home run record of 50, which was set in 1938.

1996: Promotion to Single-A and Recognition

In 1996, David Ortiz was promoted to the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, establishing himself as one of the Mariners' best hitting prospects and earning recognition from Baseball America.

2002: Death of his Mother and Career Best Season

In 2002, David Ortiz faced the death of his mother, but he prepared hard for the season. He had a tale of two seasons, but after the All-Star break, he turned in one of the better second halves in baseball. He finished with career bests in home runs and RBI, and he hit his first career walk-off home run. The Twins qualified for the postseason.

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: Outstanding Season and Contract Extension

In 2004, Ortiz continued his strong performance, hitting his 100th career home run, signing a two-year, $12.5 million contract extension with the Red Sox, being named an All-Star, and finishing the season with impressive statistics. Ortiz was suspended for three games in July due to an on-field incident. He ended the 2004 season with 41 home runs and 139 RBIs, batting .301.

2004: Postseason Heroics and World Series Championship

In the 2004 postseason, Ortiz delivered multiple game-winning hits, including a series-winning home run in the AL Division Series and crucial hits in the AL Championship Series, earning him the AL Championship Series MVP award. He also contributed significantly to the Red Sox's World Series victory against the St. Louis Cardinals, ending the 'Curse of the Bambino'.

2005: Career-High Season

In 2005, Ortiz achieved career highs with 47 home runs and 148 RBIs, along with a .300 batting average and 1.001 OPS. He had several late-inning heroics, earning him the title of "the greatest clutch-hitter in the history of the Boston Red Sox." He was an All-Star, won the Silver Slugger Award and Hank Aaron Award in 2005.

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

On April 10, 2006, Ortiz signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension with the Red Sox. He had a record-breaking season, hitting 54 home runs, breaking Jimmie Foxx's single season Red Sox home run record. He finished the 2006 season leading the AL in home runs and RBIs.

2007: Second World Series Championship

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

2007: Key Role in World Series Title

In 2007, Ortiz played a crucial role in leading the Red Sox to their seventh World Series title. During the regular season, he achieved a career-best .332 batting average, along with 35 home runs and 117 RBIs. He was an All-Star for the fourth consecutive season and won the Silver Slugger at DH as the Red Sox won the AL East.

2007: Continued Clutch Hitting in Postseason

In the 2007 postseason, Ortiz maintained his clutch hitting, batting .714 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the Division Series and contributing significantly to the Red Sox's World Series victory against the Colorado Rockies.

2007: MVP Voting

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

2009: Sluggish Start and Record-Breaking DH Home Runs

In 2009, Ortiz had a slow start, but later broke out of his slump, hitting his 300th career home run. He also broke Frank Thomas's record for most home runs as a designated hitter with 270, ending the 2009 season with a .238 average, 28 home runs and 99 RBIs. Ortiz also played first base for the first time since 2007.

2010: All-Star Resurgence

In 2010, Ortiz had a slow start but rebounded with a strong May, finishing the year with .270, 32 home runs, and 102 RBI. He won the Home Run Derby contest at the All-Star Game in 2010. The Red Sox announced that they would pick up the $12.5 million team option on his contract for 2011.

2011: Milestones and Awards

In 2011, Ortiz set a record for RBI by a designated hitter with 1,004 and became the fifth player to hit 300 home runs as a Red Sox player. He was suspended for four games due to a brawl, made his seventh All-Star Team, earned his fifth Silver Slugger Award, and won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2011.

2013: Third World Series Championship and MVP Award

In 2013, David Ortiz won his third World Series championship with the Boston Red Sox and was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.

2013: Return and Strong Season

In 2013, Ortiz rebounded, guiding the Red Sox to a first-place finish in the AL East. He hit 30 home runs, had 103 RBI, and batted .309 in the regular season. He reached several career milestones, including his 500th career double and his 2,000th career hit in 2013. Ortiz became the all-time leader for hits by a DH with 1,689.

2015: 2015 Season Performance

In 2015, Ortiz had a strong season, hitting 37 home runs and achieving 108 RBIs with a .273 batting average. He ranked among the top 10 in the American League for both home runs and RBIs, marking the eighth time he accomplished this feat in his career during the 2015 season.

2016: Hank Aaron Award and Esurance MLB Award

In 2016, David Ortiz won his second Hank Aaron Award as the outstanding offensive player in the American League. He also received the 2016 Esurance MLB/This Year in Baseball Award for Best Hitter, marking his third time winning this award. In addition, he finished sixth in the voting for AL MVP in 2016.

2016: Final Season Performance

In 2016, his final season, Ortiz achieved remarkable statistics, hitting 38 home runs, achieving 127 RBIs and batting .315. He achieved a top-10 ranking in the American League for both home runs and RBIs for the ninth time in his career. Ortiz also led the AL and MLB with a 1.021 OPS, .620 slugging percentage, 87 extra base hits and 48 doubles. He had the highest percentage of hard-hit batted balls in the majors (45.9%) and the highest ISO (Isolated Power) of all MLB players in 2016, at .305.

2017: Number Retirement Announcement

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

November 22, 2021: Ortiz on Hall of Fame Ballot

On November 22, 2021, David Ortiz was included on the 2022 ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, making him eligible for induction. The ballot also included Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling, and Sammy Sosa.

January 25, 2022: Elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame

On January 25, 2022, Ortiz was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame with 77.9% of the vote, being the only player voted in by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He was formally enshrined on July 24, 2022.