Ortiz wins Hank Aaron award

[redsoxrules]

BOSTON -- Remarkably, David Ortiz has taken his game to another level for three consecutive seasons. The latest elevation in Ortiz's offensive prowess has landed him the 2005 Hank Aaron Award in the American League.

Ortiz is the second consecutive Red Sox player to receive the prestigious honor, as Manny Ramirez took it home in 2004. The man known throughout New England as Big Papi was presented with the honor prior to Game 4 of the World Series on Wednesday night in Houston.

 

While Ramirez has been a superstar for more than a decade, Ortiz's emergence has skyrocketed over the last three years.

 

How many career years can a guy have?

 

Ortiz burst on to the scene with the Red Sox in 2003, fresh off being released by the Twins, and clubbed 31 homers and drove in 101 runs.

 

The next year? All he did was belt 41 homers, accumulate 139 RBIs and lead the Red Sox to their first World Series championship in 86 years with an epic October.

 

You didn't think a worthy encore was possible for '05? Well, Ortiz provided it, establishing career highs in runs (119), hits (180), homers (47), RBIs (148), total bases (363), walks (102) and OPS (1.001).

 

The Hank Aaron Award, instituted in 1999 and sponsored by CENTURY 21, is an annual salute to the finest all-around hitter in both leagues.

 

Past winners of the award include Ramirez (twice), Alex Rodriguez (three times), Carlos Delgado, Barry Bonds (three times), Albert Pujols, Todd Helton and Sammy Sosa. Andruw Jones of the Braves was this year's winner in the NL.

 

While Ortiz's numbers are impressive enough on their own, combine them with his ability to come through in the clutch, and they look even better.

 

Ortiz had 56 at-bats which were classified "in the late innings of close games." In those at-bats, he produced nine homers and 20 RBIs.

 

With runners in scoring position, Ortiz hit a whopping .352. He was a .400 hitter with the bases loaded.

 

Combine all the numbers with a smile that lights up the room, and Ortiz has become one of the most popular figures in the storied history of the Red Sox.

 

And now, he is the possessor of an award named after baseball's all-time home run king

 

congrats to ortiz

[yankeessuck013]

First it was Hammerin Hank now its Powerful Papi

 

he certaintly deserves it more than anyone.

 

He was just outstanding this year (actually the last 3 years) ! Congrats Big Papi!

[See Red]

Congratulations, Big Papi!

[Manny Goes Boom]

Congrats to Big Papi!

[riverside sluggers]

without a doubt he was the best AL hitter, if not best of the majors, of 2005 and was the Sox's savior throughout the season. Walkoff hits alone came in bunches for him

 

congratulations big papi, much congrats

[Cityofchampions33]

Gotta love Big Papi, best bargain in baseball, one of the friendliest guys ever. Hopefuly he'll get that other award.

[Ray10]

He deserved to win it. But we all know what he really deserves to win and that's the A.L MVP.

[ManyOrtiz]

That's it!! Gotta go as Big Papi for Halloween this year. Don't know how Im gonna pull it off, but Im sure I'll come through in the clutch. I'll start working on it right after I finish this crossword puzzle: CreepyCrossword

 

I can never finish these things.......