David Ortiz Breaks All-Time Hits Record For DH

Last night, David Ortiz added another title onto an already impressive career resume. After tying the all-time hits record for a designated hitter with a four hit game the night before, Ortiz was sitting at 1688– a mark previously set by Harold Baines. However, with a double into left-center in the second inning, Ortiz eclipsed that mark and put his own name in first place in the record books. He topped that hit off by hitting a two-run blast later in the ballgame to move him up to 1690 career hits as a DH.

Jul 10, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) thanks the crowd after hitting a double against the Seattle Mariners during the game at Safeco Field and becoming the MLB all time career hits leader by a designated hitter. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Five years ago, it may have seemed like a crazy idea that Ortiz would ever eclipse to this mark. After a wrist injury suffered in 2008, Ortiz hit  .277/.386/.529 after his injury in 2008, then .238/.332/.462 in 2009 and .270/.370/.529 in 2010. Except for 2009, none of those were bad seasons per se; however, they were severe reductions from what he had been in his prime.

From 2011 on, Ortiz has experienced a career resurgence though. He hit .309/.398/.554 in 146 games in 2011, .318/.415/.611 in 90 games in 2012, and .331/.412/.636 in 73 games so far in 2013. Ortiz is hitting right now as well as he did in his prime, with his .636 slugging percentage tying a career high set in 2007. He is 37 years old, but it looks like Ortiz may set a few more records before all is said and done.