Ortiz named AL Player of the Month

[riverside sluggers]

Like there was any doubt

 

boston.com/sports

Ortiz named AL player of month

By Steve Silva, Boston.com Staff

 

Red hot Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has been selected as the American League player of the month for July, it was announced today. Big Papi led all major league players with 14 home runs, 35 RBIs, 87 total bases and 21 extra base hits (tied) for the month and ranked second in slugging at .798 while batting .339 (37-109) in his last 26 games. Among his 37 hits were two game-winning walk-off hits, both coming in the last week.

 

More on Ortiz from the Red Sox PR department:

 

This is the second time that Ortiz has been selected for the monthly honor as he also won for September 2005, the only Sox player to earn this award since 2003.

 

Ortiz leads all major league players with 37 homers and 105 RBI. His 37 homers through end of July are 5 more than any previous Red Sox player (Manny Ramirez in 2001) and most for any major leaguer since 2001 (Bonds—45; Luis Gonzalez—41).

 

Ortiz established a club record with 105 RBI through end of July…The previous recor was 104, shared by Vern Stephens and Ted Williams, both in 1949. Since the start of 2002, the only other major leaguer with 105+ RBI through July was Toronto’s Carlos Delgado (106) in 2003 (Source: Elias Sports Bureau).

 

In July, Ortiz led the majors with 14 homers, tying the club record for any month (Jackie Jensen, June 1958) and 35 RBI, a July club mark (33-Nomar Garciaparra, 1998), the most RBIs for a Red Sox in any month since 35 for Nick Esasky in August 1989. Ortiz’ best previous month was 31 in June 2004.

[ARod2212]

He slugged nearly .800, and was second in that? Who lead the league?

[riverside sluggers]

He slugged nearly .800, and was second in that? Who lead the league?

 

EDIT: Im going by OPS stats instead of SLG, I'll go check again on who led in SLG

[RoyNHSox]

I hope that Papi’s contract is structured in that he receives $$ for this award. He deserves it.

[CrespoBlows]

He slugged nearly .800, and was second in that? Who lead the league?

 

Juan Rivera. :shock:

[DUSTINMOHR4LIFE]

its amazing how is AVG is all the way up to .292 or somethin. Just last month he was in the .260 range. If any of you read the article in SI a couple months ago, Papi is quoted "If I hit .300 against the shift, I would be superman."

[Varitek33]

its amazing how is AVG is all the way up to .292 or somethin. Just last month he was in the .260 range. If any of you read the article in SI a couple months ago, Papi is quoted "If I hit .300 against the shift, I would be superman."

 

he is superman.

[Goalstopper]

not surprised, he probably had the best month ever (actually october of 2004 would be:D ). he deserves it.

[redsoxrules]

if he can finish the year with over 50 HR and 150 RBI he is gonna win the MVP for sure

[jlcrss9]

if he can finish the year with over 50 HR and 150 RBI he is gonna win the MVP for sure

IF he only has those numbers he has to have a decent slump the last two months of the season. Its obscene.

[ksushi]

Ortiz is the MVP handsdown at this point. He has to win it. I don't care about him being the DH, he is so good and he has helped our team so much he needs to win it.

[redsoxrules]

right now he is on pace to hit 59HR and 159 RBI's , crazy!

[BoSox21]

the guy just keeps getting better and better and better, what a hitter

[BronxBomber61]

Ortiz is the MVP handsdown at this point. He has to win it. I don't care about him being the DH, he is so good and he has helped our team so much he needs to win it.

 

As much as I hate to admit it if the season ended today he should be MVP but he will cool off I'm sure. Cleveland's Rookie closer helped him alot last week and he just blew another one last night. I still think the DH thing plays a big part with the voters.

 

Here's what the post has to say on the subject.

 

http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/mvp__yankees_kevin_kernan.htm

[schillingouttheks]

The NY Post? You think they'll shed any light as to why Ortiz deserves it?

 

Do you believe the DH plays a big part? Or no, but you just think so with the voters?

 

It's the AL MVP. The DH is a position on an AL team. Case closed.

[ORS]

As much as I hate to admit it if the season ended today he should be MVP but he will cool off I'm sure. Cleveland's Rookie closer helped him alot last week and he just blew another one last night. I still think the DH thing plays a big part with the voters.

 

Here's what the post has to say on the subject.

 

http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/mvp__yankees_kevin_kernan.htm

Do you guys ever get tired of the "He'll cool off" prediction? Seems like you've been saying it all year about Ortiz and Papelbon without much success.

 

EDIT: Jeter's having a stellar season, arguably more valuable than Ortiz', but he won't win it with those numbers. Don't worry though, I'M SURE HE'LL COOL OFF.

[Optimist]

Jeter isn't going to win it. The voters love those HRs and he doesn't hit them.

[riverside sluggers]

As much as I hate to admit it if the season ended today he should be MVP but he will cool off I'm sure. Cleveland's Rookie closer helped him alot last week and he just blew another one last night. I still think the DH thing plays a big part with the voters.

 

Here's what the post has to say on the subject.

 

http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/mvp__yankees_kevin_kernan.htm

 

Yeah because the NY Post is a valid argument of why a Yankee should be picked over a Red Sox as the MVP

 

I just find it funny how he says "oh well Jeter wins a lot of games". Apparently he doesnt understands how Ortiz's 39 HRs/108 RBIs (tops in majors), 5 game winning hits, 29 go-ahead RBIs is not at all common

 

And its quite preposterous you are saying he'll cool off. His first 3 seasons with the Red Sox has seen him do power surges in the 2nd half. Yes a big part will play with the voters of how he was robbed of the MVP last year. I remember most voters saying "oh well this was just a career year for him, how could he get better?" What he is doing as DH is like none other.

[CrespoBlows]

Cleveland's Rookie closer helped him alot last week and he just blew another one last night.

 

That accounts for 1 HR. Explain how 1/40 is helping him a lot?

[redsoxrules]

jeter MVP,i dont think so the only thing he has on papi is that he hits for a better avg and plays defense, papi has way more HR, RBI's, more runs scored , better OPS, slugging, BB and 261 total bases. its f***ing ridiculus if he dosent win it this year

[BronxBomber61]

That accounts for 1 HR. Explain how 1/40 is helping him a lot?

 

What I ment was a big deal ESPN (Also known as NESN2) made when Pappy hit that homer off a closer that didn't belong in the game.Then Wednesday NESN2 went nuts over another Red Sox walkoff when it was really about a complete collapse of the Cleveland bullpen.

 

I am agreeing that Ortiz deserves the MVP as it stands now, but if he falls closer to the pack the DH thing becomes a major issue. Also the average isn’t great and that can come into play if Jeter gets the batting title.

[MC Hammer]

What I ment was a big deal ESPN (Also known as NESN2) made when Pappy hit that homer off a closer that didn't belong in the game.Then Wednesday NESN2 went nuts over another Red Sox walkoff when it was really about a complete collapse of the Cleveland bullpen.

 

I am agreeing that Ortiz deserves the MVP as it stands now, but if he falls closer to the pack the DH thing becomes a major issue. Also the average isn’t great and that can come into play if Jeter gets the batting title.

Did you happen to see ESPN during the MVP race last year? Every single talking head on their network gave it to Arod.

 

BTW in order for him to fall back to the DH pack he'd have to take 2 weeks off.

[redsoxrules]

What I ment was a big deal ESPN (Also known as NESN2) made when Pappy hit that homer off a closer that didn't belong in the game.Then Wednesday NESN2 went nuts over another Red Sox walkoff when it was really about a complete collapse of the Cleveland bullpen.

 

I am agreeing that Ortiz deserves the MVP as it stands now, but if he falls closer to the pack the DH thing becomes a major issue. Also the average isn’t great and that can come into play if Jeter gets the batting title.

 

it dont matter if jeter wins the batting title or not, like i said earlier thats the only thing he does better than ortiz , hits for average thats it , and btw .290 for a power hitter is a pretty good average, also like optimist said HR and RBI's plays a big factor in the MVP wich jeter dosent have

[MC Hammer]

it dont matter if jeter wins the batting title or not, like i said earlier thats the only thing he does better than ortiz , hits for average thats it , and btw .290 for a power hitter is a pretty good average, also like optimist said HR and RBI's plays a big factor in the MVP wich jeter dosent have

.290 against a ridiculous shift.