It was the first time Ortiz won the award since he won it five straight years from 2003-07. The 14-year veteran received 73 first-place votes out of 84 ballots. Detroit's Victor Martinez finished second, and Kansas City's Billy Butler took third.
Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine is looking forward to getting a chance to work with Ortiz in the upcoming season.
"When you have someone who wins an individual award and honor the previous season, you're always excited about him being on the team," Valentine said. "He's the DH of the year, how could I not be excited about [potentially] having the DH of the year as a DH."
Ortiz batted .309 with 40 doubles, 29 home runs, 96 RBI and 84 runs last season. He also earned his fifth Silver Slugger award in 2011.