David Ortiz reportedly has one more season left.
The Boston Red Sox designated hitter plans on retiring following the 2016 season, sources told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Ortiz, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale, will make a formal announcement Wednesday, which also happens to be his 40th birthday.
Ortiz’s retirement plans haven’t been confirmed by the team.
The news is a bit of a surprise, at least in regards to how well Ortiz has played in recent seasons. The designated hitter — considered one of the best to play the position during his career — hit 37 home runs and drove in 108 RBIs during his 2015 season. The 37 round-trippers were his most since hitting a career-high 54 in 2006, and the 108 RBIs were his most since he drove in 117 in 2007. Ortiz also hit his 500th home run last season.
Ortiz needs just 19 home runs to break the all-time record for home runs by a DH. Ortiz hasn’t hit fewer than 19 home runs since 2001, when he hit 18 with the Minnesota Twins.
Ortiz was the face of the most successful era of Red Sox baseball. He signed with the Red Sox prior to the 2003 season, and once he got on the field, Ortiz made an immediate impact. The DH helped Boston win three World Series titles, playing an integral role during the 2004 season when the Red Sox broke an 86-year World Series drought. Ortiz was a major reason the Red Sox erased a three-game deficit against the New York Yankees in 2004 American League Championship Series, with a pair of walk-off hits, including a home run, during the Red Sox’s historic comeback.
The Dominican Republic native also played a major role in world titles in 2007 and 2013. He was named the 2013 World Series MVP after hitting a mind-boggling .688 with a pair of home runs and driving in eight runs.
In addition to his no-field success, Ortiz also was an incredible figure away from the field and in the Boston community. His charitable efforts centered around children, benefiting kids both in Boston and in the Dominican. Ortiz also played a huge part in Boston’s recovery efforts following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, including his now-famous speech in the club’s first game back at Fenway Park following the bombing and ensuing manhunt.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports Images
