David Ortiz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids David Ortiz |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Ortiz with the Boston Red Sox in 2013
|
|||
| Designated hitter | |||
| Born: November 18, 1975 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| September 2, 1997, for the Minnesota Twins | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 2, 2016, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .286 | ||
| Hits | 2,472 | ||
| Home runs | 541 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,768 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
 Baseball Hall of Fame |
|||
| Induction | 2022 | ||
| Vote | 77.9% (first ballot) | ||
David Américo Ortiz Arias (born November 18, 1975), better known by his nickname "Big Papi", is a Dominican-American baseball star. He played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a designated hitter and first baseman. He is most famous for his time with the Boston Red Sox.
Ortiz began his career with the Minnesota Twins. After six seasons, he joined the Red Sox. There, he became a hero for helping the team win the 2004 World Series. This victory ended an 86-year streak without a championship for the team. He also won championships in 2007 and 2013. In 2013, he was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.
As a designated hitter (DH), Ortiz was a ten-time All-Star. He set records for the most career home runs (485), RBIs (1,569), and hits (2,192) by a DH. He is known as one of the greatest clutch hitters ever, meaning he performed very well in important moments. In 2022, Ortiz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first try.
Contents
Early Life and Career
David Ortiz was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. As a boy, he loved baseball and looked up to players like Pedro Martínez. They later became great friends and teammates.
In 1992, the Seattle Mariners signed Ortiz when he was just 17. He played in their minor league system and showed he was a great hitter. In 1996, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins. He quickly moved up through the Twins' minor league teams. He made his MLB debut with the Twins on September 2, 1997.
Minnesota Twins (1997–2002)
Ortiz played for the Twins for six seasons. He showed flashes of power, hitting 20 home runs and 75 RBIs in 2002. That year, he helped the Twins make it to the playoffs. He had a key hit in the Division Series that helped them win.
Despite his success, the Twins released him after the 2002 season to save money. In his time with the Twins, Ortiz hit 58 home runs and had 238 RBIs.
Boston Red Sox (2003–2016)
After being released, Ortiz's friend Pedro Martínez encouraged the Boston Red Sox to sign him. In 2003, Ortiz joined the Red Sox and his career took off. He hit 31 home runs and had 101 RBIs. He quickly became a fan favorite for his powerful hitting in key moments.
2004: Ending the Curse
In 2004, Ortiz had an amazing season. He hit 41 home runs and had 139 RBIs. He and teammate Manny Ramirez were one of the best hitting duos in baseball.
The 2004 postseason is where Ortiz became a legend. In the ALCS against the New York Yankees, the Red Sox were losing the series 3-0. No team had ever come back from that. But Ortiz hit a walk-off (game-winning) home run in Game 4 and a walk-off single in Game 5. His incredible performance helped the Red Sox make a historic comeback and win the series.
The Red Sox then went to the 2004 World Series and beat the St. Louis Cardinals. They won their first championship in 86 years, breaking the famous "Curse of the Bambino." Ortiz was named the ALCS MVP for his heroics.
A Dominant Hitter
For the next few years, Ortiz was one of the best hitters in baseball.
- In 2005, he hit 47 home runs and led the American League with 148 RBIs.
- In 2006, he set a new Red Sox record with 54 home runs in a single season.
- In 2007, he batted .332 with 35 home runs and helped the Red Sox win another World Series.
Ortiz was known for his clutch hitting. He often got big hits late in games to help his team win. Red Sox ownership gave him a plaque calling him "the greatest clutch-hitter in the history of the Boston Red Sox."
2013: Another Championship
After a few tougher seasons with some injuries, Ortiz had a great comeback year in 2013. He hit 30 home runs and had 103 RBIs, leading the Red Sox back to the playoffs.
In the postseason, he was unstoppable. In the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers, he hit a dramatic game-tying grand slam in Game 2. In the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, he batted an incredible .688. The Red Sox won the championship, and Ortiz was named the World Series MVP.
Before a game shortly after the Boston Marathon bombing, Ortiz gave a memorable speech to the crowd at Fenway Park, saying, "This is our ... city." His words helped bring the city together.
Final Seasons and Retirement
.jpeg)
Ortiz continued to play at a high level even as he got older. On September 12, 2015, he hit his 500th career home run, a major milestone.
He announced that the 2016 season would be his last. In his final year, at age 40, he had one of his best seasons ever. He hit 38 home runs and led the league with 127 RBIs and 48 doubles. His 38 home runs were the most ever for a player in their final season.
The Red Sox retired his uniform number, 34, in 2017. This is a special honor for the team's greatest players.
2003 Drug Testing Report
In 2009, a newspaper reported that Ortiz's name was on a list of players who may have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in 2003. This was during a survey test before official testing began. The results were meant to be anonymous and were not confirmed.
Ortiz said he never knowingly used steroids and that it might have been from over-the-counter supplements. In 2016, the MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, said it was "entirely possible" Ortiz did not test positive. He explained that the 2003 tests were not reliable and could not tell the difference between banned substances and legal supplements.
Life Outside of Baseball
After retiring, Ortiz became a baseball analyst for Fox Sports. He also started the David Ortiz Children's Fund, a charity that helps children in the Dominican Republic and New England get needed medical care.
In June 2019, Ortiz was shot and seriously injured in his native Dominican Republic. He had several surgeries and made a full recovery.
Ortiz became a U.S. citizen in 2008. He and his ex-wife, Tiffany, have three children. After hitting a home run, Ortiz would point to the sky to honor his mother, who passed away in 2002.
Images for kids
-
Ortiz batting in 2009
-
Ortiz waits for a pitch in 2010
See also
In Spanish: David Ortiz para niños
