Big Papi Gets the Hall Call

January 26, 2022

By: Carlos Alvarez

Former Red Sox Slugger David Ortiz Lone Inductee Into Baseball Hall of Fame

The 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame class includes one man, and his name is David Ortiz. Big Papi was the only player to clear the 75-percent threshold. Ortiz was selected on 77.9 percent of the ballots in his first year of eligibility. Ortiz played 20 seasons in the majors, including six for the Twins and 14 for the Red Sox. He ranks 17th on the MLB’s all-time home runs list (541).

 

David Ortiz Career Stats

.286 BA | 541 HRs | 1768 RBIs

 

“I am truly honored and blessed by my selection to the Hall of Fame — the highest honor that any baseball player can reach in their lifetime,” Ortiz said in a statement released by the Boston Red Sox. “I am grateful to the baseball writers who considered my career in its totality, not just on the statistics.”

 

The Shutout of the Steroids Era

Four players from baseball’s steroid era were shut out in their 10th and final year on the ballot, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and Curt Schilling. Bonds (66%) and Clemens (65.2%) were near misses in their final attempt.

 

Additional Storylines

SI: Integrity Still Matters for the Hall of Fame

NY Times: With One More Walk-Off, Big Papi Trots Into Cooperstown