Many forget that David Ortiz began his career with the Minnesota Twins, but that is because he has made it big with the Boston Red Sox. It was announced on Tuesday that the Boston slugger will retire following the 2016 season. He officially announced the news via Twitter on Wednesday, his 40th birthday.
Only 10 position players have played past their 40th birthday with the Red Sox, three of which have played at least 100 games. Ortiz will look to stay healthy and available all season to join Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and Bing Miller who have played past the century mark.
Ortiz became one of baseball's best sluggers after making his Boston debut in 2003 following a five-year stint with the Twins. He kept that going at 39 years of age this past season, hitting .273 with 37 home runs and 108 RBI, recording his most long balls since hitting 54 in 2006.
The all-time designated hitter will make a base salary of $11 million, earning that when he hit 425 plate appearances last season on August 9th against the Detroit Tigers.
The nine-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger reached a milestone of 500 home runs last season with a long ball in Tampa Bay against the Rays on September 12th. He now has 503 career big flies, 445 of which came with Boston, which is good for third most in franchise history. He ranks 27th on the all-time list, just one away from tying Eddie Murray.
Ortiz also holds the record for most home runs as a designated hitter with 447, well ahead of the second place Frank Thomas, who has 269. Ortiz has made a career out of controversial comments, as well as hitting balls a long way, all of which will be celebrated throughout the 2016 campaign.
Only 10 position players have played past their 40th birthday with the Red Sox, three of which have played at least 100 games. Ortiz will look to stay healthy and available all season to join Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and Bing Miller who have played past the century mark.
Ortiz became one of baseball's best sluggers after making his Boston debut in 2003 following a five-year stint with the Twins. He kept that going at 39 years of age this past season, hitting .273 with 37 home runs and 108 RBI, recording his most long balls since hitting 54 in 2006.
The all-time designated hitter will make a base salary of $11 million, earning that when he hit 425 plate appearances last season on August 9th against the Detroit Tigers.
The nine-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger reached a milestone of 500 home runs last season with a long ball in Tampa Bay against the Rays on September 12th. He now has 503 career big flies, 445 of which came with Boston, which is good for third most in franchise history. He ranks 27th on the all-time list, just one away from tying Eddie Murray.
Ortiz also holds the record for most home runs as a designated hitter with 447, well ahead of the second place Frank Thomas, who has 269. Ortiz has made a career out of controversial comments, as well as hitting balls a long way, all of which will be celebrated throughout the 2016 campaign.
