Designated Hitter – David Ortiz
Who else could it be? David Ortiz is the best player in MLB history whose primary position was designated hitter for the majority of his career.
The Red Sox never could have imagined in their wildest dreams what Ortiz would become when they scooped him off the scrap heap after the Minnesota Twins released him. His game took a massive leap as soon as he arrived in Boston and he quickly established himself as one of the most popular athletes in the city.
A DH has never won an MVP award but Ortiz put himself in the conversation with five consecutive top-five finishes on the ballot to begin his tenure with the Red Sox. The closest he came was 2005 when he hit 47 home runs and led the league with 148 RBI to finish as the runner-up.
In 2006, Ortiz set the single-season franchise record with 54 home runs. He led the league in that category and led in RBI for the second year in a row with 137.
As impressive as his regular season resume was after joining the Red Sox, the postseason is where Ortiz shined the brightest. His dramatic walk-off home runs during the 2004 championship run. The epic grand slam against the Tigers in the 2013 ALCS. Nobody came through in the clutch more than Big Papi and his postseason heroics made him a legend. He was a staple in the lineup for three championship teams and earned the World Series MVP in 2013.
Ortiz always had a special connection to the city of Boston. It was on display during his infamous speech at Fenway Park in the aftermath of the Marathon bombing. He was one of the most charismatic players in recent memory and one of the most beloved icons in franchise history.
He should be voted into the Hall of Fame once he’s eligible and his No. 34 is the most recent number to be retired at Fenway Park.