Many people in the baseball stratosphere are beginning to re-think David Ortiz‘s decision to retire following the 2016 MLB season. Fans, teammates, media personnel and bloggers alike — even the Boston Red Sox’s front office surely must think the 40 years young slugger could be an asset to their club next year.
Big Papi turned 40 last November, though his age is showing nothing when it comes to his swing and vision at the plate. Through May 27th’s games, Ortiz led all American League qualifiers in doubles (22), runs batted in (45), OBP (.420), SLG (.706) and OPS (1.126).
He certainly has not lost his power stroke, either. Papi’s 12 round trippers are the third most by any hitter in the AL at this point and he even has one triple on the season, something that last appeared on his stat sheet back in 2013.
Ortiz might be having his best season to date as a designated hitter. By the time October rolls around, it could rank as one of the best ever by an MLB player aged 40 or older. In honor of Papi’s MVP caliber start to 2016, here are the top five seasons in MLB history by a hitter forty or older after the deadball era.
Next: Number 5