JockBio: David Ortiz Facts

JockBio Vital Stats
• Boston Red Sox	• Designated Hitter	• #34
• Height: 6' 4 "	• Weight: 230	• Born: 11/18/75

Early in his minor league career, David logged several games at third base.
In 1997, David was named the Midwest League’s best defensive first baseman by Baseball America.
David recorded his first big-league hit—a double off Mark Pisciotta of the Chicago Cubs—on September 3, 1997. His first homer came 11 days later in Texas against Julio Santana.
David hit first career grand slam in September of 2000 in Boston off Ramon Martinez— a player he had rooted for as a teenager.
In July of 2003, David became the first visiting player ever to have back-to-back multihomer games at Yankee Stadium.
David’s 16 game-winning RBIs in 2003 ranked one behind Eric Chavez and Hideki Matsui for the AL lead.
David participated in the Home Run Derby during All-Star Weekend in 2004. Though he didn’t win, David was recognized by champion Miguel Tejada for helping him take the title. David served as Miguel’s personal cheerleader and towel boy, wiping the sweat from his friend’s brow after each round.
In 2005, David hit 43 home runs as a DH, setting a new record. He broke his own mark the following season.
David was edged in the 2005 AL MVP voting by Alex Rodriguez. Their seasons were equally good, but David was left off the ballot entirely by two writers, who believed that a DH should not be considered for the award.
David hit 32 road homers in 2006 to tie Babe Ruth’s league record.
In 2006, David became the first player to lead his league in homers, RBIs and walks since Mike Schmidt in 1981.
In 2006, David eclipsed Jimmie Foxx’s club record of 50 home runs. Number 51 came off former teammate Johan Santana.
David says Mike Mussina has been the toughest pitcher for him to hit.
David raised his home run total in each of his first seven seasons.
David’s 1,000th hit was a homer off of Kansas City’s Jimmy Gobble.
David is great friends with Corey Koskie, who loves to play practical jokes on him. Once in Minnesota, Koskie smeared peanut butter on the inside of David’s underwear. David didn’t realize it until he pulled them on. The first time the Twins faced the Red Sox in spring training after David signed with Boston, Koskie engineered another great prank, replacing David’s clothes in his locker with an orange prison jumpsuit.
David is married and has three children. His wife’s name is Tiffany. His kids are Yessica, Alexandra and D’Angelo—D for David and Angelo for his mother, Angela.

Mike Schmidt, 1979 Hostess

Babe Ruth, BBCM Insert

Corey Koskie, 2002 Heritage