In a ceremony held on Sunday, the National Baseball Hall of Fame admitted seven new members. David Ortiz, though, was the true star of the speechmaking, melancholy, and memorable afternoon.
When this year’s set of results was made public in January, Ortiz made history by being the first designated hitter in their career to be chosen on his first ballot. For the distinction, Ortiz thanked the baseball writers.
By joining his longtime friend Pedro Martinez, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., and Juan Marichal in the Hall of Fame, Ortiz becomes the fourth player of Dominican descent to be inducted.
Ortiz hit 541 home runs during his 20-season MLB career, and from 2003 to 2007, he spent five straight seasons in the top five of the AL MVP voting.
He had one of the greatest final seasons in history in 2016, hitting 38 home runs, driving in 127 runs, leading the league in doubles, slugging percentage, and OPS.
The Red Sox were still suffering from the Curse of the Bambino, which was the name given to Boston’s championship drought that started after their 1918 World Series victory when Ortiz joined the team in 2003.
In Ortiz’s second year with the team, the Red Sox ended that run. Boston had gained two more championships by the time he decided to retire.
After going 11 for 16 at the plate with eight walks over six games in the 2013 World Series victory over St. Louis, Ortiz was voted the game’s MVP.
Tony Oliva, who won three batting titles, five times led the AL in hits, and hit 304 across a 15-year career for the Twins, joined Ortiz in being inducted on Sunday.
During his statement, Oliva praised Ortiz and made melancholy references to Papi’s early career beginning in Minnesota while also implying that joining the Red Sox was the best decision of Papi’s career.