There’s no doubt David Ortiz is one of the greatest designated hitters to play the game. But will that be enough to get him into the Baseball Hall of Fame?
Ortiz thinks it might just be.
The Boston Red Sox DH, who’s retiring after the 2016 season, told WEEI’s Rob Bradford on Thursday he’s optimistic about his chances of being inducted into the Hall once he’s eligible in 2022.
“I am,” Ortiz told Bradford. “I think I did, and still do, what I’m supposed to. So, that’s all I can control.
“Numbers-wise, it shouldn’t be a problem because that’s what the Hall of Fame is all about. Numbers and not being someone being part of controversy, so I guess on that side of it I think I’m doing OK. Getting in the Hall of Fame is not an easy thing to do. There is always going to be someone who has something to say, so we’ll see how that plays out.”
Ortiz’s 2003 PED allegations and status as a designated hitter could hold him back, but this year’s voting results showed that could all disappear by the time Ortiz is eligible. For example, steroid suspects Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens both received a solid increase in votes, while legendary Seattle Mariners DH Edgar Martinez took a huge leap from 27 percent to 43.4 percent.
Martinez and Ortiz might even pave the way for future designated hitters.
“They said the same thing about Edgar Martinez, that there wasn’t going to be another guy born to be that good, and God blessed me for being who I am,” Ortiz told Bradford. “So I don’t doubt that some point in baseball somebody else pops up like me, or better than me. That’s something that nobody can dictate.”
Thumbnail photo via Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports Images
