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Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz on fast track for MLB Hall of Fame

By David Hill

Mar 3, 2019; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox former player David Ortiz (red hat) walks on the field prior to the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2019; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox former player David Ortiz (red hat) walks on the field prior to the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /
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David Ortiz was expected to have the best case of any first year player on the MLB Hall of Fame ballot. The Boston Red Sox star had been a larger than life figure, his penchant for the dramatic endearing himself to a generation of fans. However, his being named in the Mitchell Report, and links to PED usage, clouded his case.

As it turns out, that link may not matter. With 45 ballots having been revealed by Ryan Thibodaux’s Baseball Hall of Fame vote tracker Ortiz is the leading vote getter and appears to be on the fast track to the Hall.

Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz on track for MLB Hall of Fame

As it currently stands, Ortiz has been named on 37 of the 45 ballots that are known, his 82.2% of the vote the highest of anyone on the ballot. He has two more votes than either Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens, the other two candidates that appear to have a reasonable chance of being inducted this year.

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Statistically, Ortiz would appear to have a strong case for induction. A ten time All Star and seven time Silver Slugger, he had produced a .286/.380/.552 batting line in his 10091 plate appearances, hitting 541 homers and 632 doubles. Even though he was 40 years old when he retired, Ortiz still seemed to have plenty of life left in his bat, as he led the American League in doubles, slugging, and OPS.

But that PED cloud hovered around Ortiz. Bonds and Clemens remain on the ballot, in large part due to their connection with PEDs. Ortiz had the same questions, making it entirely possible that his candidacy would suffer those suspicions as well.

Instead, Ortiz has slipped through that cloud, emerging unscathed. His links to PEDs have been forgotten, as the lovable Big Papi has silenced any doubters with his personality and ability to come up big in the clutch. And now, that road appears to be about to end in Cooperstown.

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David Ortiz is currently the leading vote getter for the MLB Hall of Fame. The Boston Red Sox legend is on the fast track to induction.

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