when you are going through all of it, you never, there's not one player that can tell you that I was thinking about the hell of fame, you know, and that was me and all of a sudden, you know, they throwing your name out there too, probably be part of this uh elite group of players, Best player ever to play the game. To me it's an honor man. It's something that I can't even describe. How are you going to occupy yourself that day? I know some guys try to go fishing, Some guys try to stay away from the phone. What are you going to do Tuesday? I don't know, I don't know. Probably, you know, be with the family and be with my dad, which is the most important thing because my dad, you know after God, everything that is happening because of my dad.
Red Sox legend David 'Big Papi' Ortiz gearing up for Hall of Fame announcement
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Updated: 11:25 PM EST Jan 19, 2022
Retired Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz is less than a week away from finding out if he will be among the newest members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) will announce the results of their Hall of Fame election on Tuesday, Jan. 25.Ortiz, the designated hitter known as “Big Papi,” played 14 of his 20 major league seasons with the Red Sox and made the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He helped Boston win three World Series titles, including the championship run in 2004 that ended the “Curse of the Bambino” and an 86-year title drought. "When you are going through all of it, you never ... there's not one player that can tell you that they were thinking about the Hall of Fame and that was me," Ortiz said Wednesday at Fenway Park during a private event for eternalHealth. "Now all of a sudden, they throw your name out there to probably be part of this elite group of players — the best players to ever play the game. To me, it's an honor. It's something that I can't even describe." Ortiz said he will probably be with his family while he waits for a potential call from Cooperstown."And be with my dad, which is the most important thing because after God, everything that is happening is because of my dad," he said.Ortiz, 46, earned 10 All-Star Game selections and seven Silver Slugger Awards, all during his time with the Red Sox (2003-16). He earned the Edgar Martinez Award for the top designated hitter eight times (2003-07, 2011, 2013, 2016). He won the AL Hank Aaron Award, given annually to the best overall offensive performer in each league, twice (2005, 2016). He also won the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award, which is bestowed annually to the MLB player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. He finished in the top 10 of AL MVP voting seven times (2003-07, 2013, 2016) and led the American League in RBI three times (2005-06, 2016), walks twice (2006-07) and once each in home runs (2006), on-base percentage (2007), slugging percentage (2016), total bases (2006) and doubles (2016).Ortiz topped 100 RBI 10 times in his career (2003-07, 2010, 2013-16), 20 home runs 15 times (2002-16) and 100 runs scored three times (2005-07). He finished with a batting average of .300 or better in seven seasons (2004-05, 2007, 2011-13, 2016).He also ranks among the top 25 all-time with 1,192 extra base hits (8th), 632 doubles (12th), 541 home runs (17th) and 1,768 RBI (23rd). He made his MLB debut in 1997 with the Minnesota Twins and played his first major league seasons with that organization.Considered one of the most clutch hitters of all-time, Ortiz appeared in 18 postseason series over nine seasons and batted .289 with 22 doubles, 17 homers and 61 RBI in 85 games. He was a member of the Red Sox’s 2004, 2007 and 2013 championship teams. He was named MVP of the 2004 American League Championship Series, in which Boston erased a 3-0 series deficit against the rival New York Yankees, and the 2013 World Series. Along with any players who are elected by the BBWAA, the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 also includes Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Miñoso, Tony Oliva, Bud Fowler and Buck O’Neil, who were all elected to Cooperstown via the Eras Committee process.
BOSTON — Retired Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz is less than a week away from finding out if he will be among the newest members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) will announce the results of their Hall of Fame election on Tuesday, Jan. 25.
Ortiz, the designated hitter known as “Big Papi,” played 14 of his 20 major league seasons with the Red Sox and made the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He helped Boston win three World Series titles, including the championship run in 2004 that ended the “Curse of the Bambino” and an 86-year title drought.
"When you are going through all of it, you never ... there's not one player that can tell you that they were thinking about the Hall of Fame and that was me," Ortiz said Wednesday at Fenway Park during a private event for eternalHealth. "Now all of a sudden, they throw your name out there to probably be part of this elite group of players — the best players to ever play the game. To me, it's an honor. It's something that I can't even describe."
Ortiz said he will probably be with his family while he waits for a potential call from Cooperstown.
"And be with my dad, which is the most important thing because after God, everything that is happening is because of my dad," he said.
Ortiz, 46, earned 10 All-Star Game selections and seven Silver Slugger Awards, all during his time with the Red Sox (2003-16). He earned the Edgar Martinez Award for the top designated hitter eight times (2003-07, 2011, 2013, 2016). He won the AL Hank Aaron Award, given annually to the best overall offensive performer in each league, twice (2005, 2016). He also won the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award, which is bestowed annually to the MLB player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
He finished in the top 10 of AL MVP voting seven times (2003-07, 2013, 2016) and led the American League in RBI three times (2005-06, 2016), walks twice (2006-07) and once each in home runs (2006), on-base percentage (2007), slugging percentage (2016), total bases (2006) and doubles (2016).
Ortiz topped 100 RBI 10 times in his career (2003-07, 2010, 2013-16), 20 home runs 15 times (2002-16) and 100 runs scored three times (2005-07). He finished with a batting average of .300 or better in seven seasons (2004-05, 2007, 2011-13, 2016).
He also ranks among the top 25 all-time with 1,192 extra base hits (8th), 632 doubles (12th), 541 home runs (17th) and 1,768 RBI (23rd). He made his MLB debut in 1997 with the Minnesota Twins and played his first major league seasons with that organization.
Considered one of the most clutch hitters of all-time, Ortiz appeared in 18 postseason series over nine seasons and batted .289 with 22 doubles, 17 homers and 61 RBI in 85 games. He was a member of the Red Sox’s 2004, 2007 and 2013 championship teams. He was named MVP of the 2004 American League Championship Series, in which Boston erased a 3-0 series deficit against the rival New York Yankees, and the 2013 World Series.
Along with any players who are elected by the BBWAA, the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 also includes Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Miñoso, Tony Oliva, Bud Fowler and Buck O’Neil, who were all elected to Cooperstown via the Eras Committee process.
