Longtime Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has officially joined the exclusive "500 Club" in baseball history.
Ortiz hit his 499th and his 500th home runs in his career against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. He is amongst 27 players in MLB history to hit that many jacks, including legends such as Hank Aaron, Alex Rodgriguez, Albert Pujols, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, and Frank Robinson. Also, he is one of four Red Sox legends to reached the elite feat, including Manny Ramirez (who he won his first MLB championship ring with in 2004), Ted Williams, and Jimmie Fox..
The 39-year old slugger was scheduled to rest today for the game in Tampa, but he convinced Red Sox interim manager Torey Luvullo to play. “He wanted to play,” Lovullo told the Boston Globe before the game. “There really wasn’t much thought that was put into it . . . If the big man runs the court, you’ve got to get him the ball. That’s how I look at it. He felt good about where he was with his body and I want to get him in there as often as possible.”
Red Sox Nation can all point to the sky for Big Papi.
Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com
[via Boston Globe]
