David Ortiz is Mr. 30-100.
Ortiz collected his 100th RBI of the season in the fourth inning of Friday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards by launching his 33rd home run of 2014. Ortiz now has eight seasons with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, passing Ted Williams (seven) for the most such seasons in Boston Red Sox history.
Big Papi added a two-run homer — his 34th of the season — in the 10th inning for good measure as the Red Sox won 5-3.
Ortiz, who signed with Boston before the 2003 campaign, has 407 home runs and 1,293 RBIs in 1,654 games over 12 seasons in a Red Sox uniform. Williams hit 521 homers and racked up 1,839 RBIs in 2,292 career games over 19 seasons with Boston.
While there were some who questioned how much Ortiz had left in the tank following back-to-back down seasons — by his standards, at least — in 2008 and 2009, the slugger has continued to thrive later in his career. The 38-year-old tied Williams’ franchise record with a solid 2013 season and has carried the momentum into 2014 despite the Red Sox’s struggles.
Ortiz is under contract for 2015. His deal also carries options for 2016 and 2017. Don’t be surprised if this 30/100 conversation occurs a few more times before the nine-time All-Star calls it quits.
Ortiz — I mean Mr. 30-100 — is showing no signs of slowing down.
