Fansided

Top 10 moments of David Ortiz’s career

By Dave Stevenson

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) reacts standing at firdtbase in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) reacts standing at firdtbase in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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6. 500 Home Runs

David Ortiz is one of the best power hitters of all-time. He cemented his name into an impressive club when he hit his 500th career home run against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept. 12, 2015. With his 500th home run, Ortiz became the 27th player in MLB history with 500 home runs. He is also the only player to spent over half his career games as a designated hitter with 500 home runs.

While Ortiz wasn’t as great of an overall hitter as Edgar Martinez, Ortiz does have a distinct advantage in home runs. Martinez might have been a better overall hitter (147 OPS+ compared to Ortiz’s 141 OPS+), but Ortiz undeniably was the better power hitter. 500 home runs all but guarantees Ortiz a spot in Cooperstown. Martinez deserves one too, but he didn’t get to 3,000 hits or 500 home runs, so his spot isn’t set in stone like David Ortiz’s spot.

His 500th home run was also an absolute bomb. Ortiz hit some long home runs, but his 500th was one of his longest. It was hit against the Tampa Bay Rays, another team that Ortiz picked on throughout his career. He hit 53 home runs against them in his career with 178 RBIs. Yet another team grateful he’s retiring.

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