Being a designated hitter in the MLB is something of imperfect proportions when it comes to being a team player. David Ortiz is one DH that will go down in the history books. When one plays a DH they are strictly on offense, there like no other position in the clubhouse, standing as the strongest hitter on the team it is sometimes revered as a princess position.
All they have to do is bat, swing, and hit to maintain the position and this year we have some historic hitting happening out in Los Angeles this season. A DH position may seem easy but the pressure is incredible and this season Shohei Ohtani is breaking records with each at-bat. He is lining himself up for the MVP position, but former Red Sox DH, David Ortiz has something to say about it.
Big Papi One Of The Greatest DHs in Baseball
July 24, 2022, Baseball Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch announced “David, welcome to Cooperstown.” David Ortiz was voted in over 77% on the ballot. He finished out his Red Sox career a “10-time All-Star, seven-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award as a designated hitter, and an eight-time winner of the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, Ortiz ended his career with 541 home runs (17th all-time), 1,768 runs batted in, 1,419 runs scored, 632 doubles, 2,472 hits, a .286 batting average, a .380 on-base percentage and a .552 slugging percentage. He finished in the top 10 in AL MVP voting seven times.”
David Ortiz has made his mark in the MLB as the feared slugger with an infectious smile. Boston fans love Big Papi and he worked exceptionally hard in his career. But, year after year the MLB would not allow him to be considered as the MVP because he only offered offense. There has yet to be a player elected for MVP nominations, outside of a World Series, as a DH unless they were also a pitcher.
So with all the talk this year about Ohtani’s chance at the MVP, here is what Ortiz had to say reported by Marca, “[MLB] always had… ‘issues’ not to give me the MVP because I was a designated hitter. I’m going to see what they’re going to say this year when Ohtani, the ‘pretty girl’ of MLB, is in the race,”
David Ortiz Oversteps On Ohtani
David Ortiz left Boston a hero. He was paraded out of Boston as he left professional baseball but he is undermining Ohtani with his crass comments about how he thinks the MLB should make decisions. The truth is, this week Ohtani has played some of the best baseball we have seen this century and it is nothing to shy away from. He did something no player has ever done before in a season, have over 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. Since the MLB officially formed in 1903, there has yet to be a player who has accomplished this.
Sorry, David Ortiz, the MLB can’t unsee what has been done this year. Big Papi had power hitting but Shotime has speed and the combination has led us to this moment today. We experienced history this week and will continue to do so because the season has these last lingering games. The MLB may not want to elect a DH as MVP but they certainly can’t deny he has to be in the running for this 2024 season.
Passing The Buck
Back in December 2023, there were reports that the Red Sox were in the race for the Japanese All-Star but pulled out when things went over budget. Would David Ortiz’s comments be different if Ohtani was wearing a Sox uniform? Or is it just a case of ego? Ultimately, Ortiz did take home an MVP in the 2013 World Series and was voted top five in the five years he was nominated. David Ortiz should support other designated hitters in the MLB as it is time to pass the buck. Instead of passing on animosity or harmful phrases, let’s pass on some wisdom next time David. After all, MVPs are admired, appreciated, and thought very highly of.
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