Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, better known by his nickname “Big Papi,” has undyingly committed his entire self to the game of baseball. As if his commitment was not enough, he is also extremely talented, with the stats to back it up. Over the course of his career, including this season, Ortiz has hit 505 homeruns. This working total places him at #26 on the list of most home runs of all-time, just ahead of the great Eddie Murray of the Baltimore Orioles. Lately, questions have been circulating in the baseball world about just how high his career stats will reach, especially after the announcement of his retirement at the conclusion of the 2016 season.
Since Big Papi first signed with the Minnesota Twins in 1997, he has hit an average of 27.94 home runs each season. According to his stats, it seems as though Ortiz’s performance peaked in 2006, when he hit 54 home runs in one season. His numbers, though,have been declining ever since, which is understandable after performing extremely well for nine seasons. During the 2015 season, however, Ortiz was able to exceed his season average. He was able to total 37 home runs for the year. If Big Papi were to duplicate last season’s performance, his ranking would climb nine spots to #17, passing out Red Sox legend Ted Williams, as well as the iconic New York Yankee Mickey Mantle. So far this season, Ortiz has already surpassed Ted Williams.
When Ortiz comes up to the plate, there is, statistically, a 6.2 percent chance that he will hit a home run. But, as his at-bats increase without success, this percentage will shrink. This season, Ortiz has scored two home runs over four games. This is fairly impressive considering that the season has just begun; however, whether or not this will be indicative of the rest of his season is hard to say this early on. Could Ortiz exceed his performance last season, or is he starting of strongly only to peeter out later? Just how successful will Ortiz be during his final season as the beloved designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox?
Provided he remains in good health, Big Papi has the potential to make for a memorable last season and rise through the ranks as a player who has one of the greatest home run totals of all time. He is certainly a hometown favorite, and has millions of fans (including myself), behind him. Even if the Red Sox is not your team of choice, it is hard to deny this player the respect he deserves. The speculation around David Ortiz’s current and final season makes for great conversation, especially since each at-bat is, for the most part, independent from the rest. The unpredictability is what keeps fans coming back every game. Now, all that is left to do is to sit back and enjoy the Great American Pastime.
