October 30, 2013

David Ortiz: "I Was Born For This"


David Ortiz is 11-of-15 (.733) in the first five games of the 2013 World Series. His OPS is 2.017.

Ortiz has reached base 15 times in the five games (11 hits, four walks). The only other player in history to reach base (by hit, walk or HBP) at least 15 times over the first five games of a World Series is Barry Bonds in 2002.

Ortiz's 11 hits are two shy of the World Series record, held by Bobby Richardson (1964 Yankees), Lou Brock (1968 Cardinals) and Marty Barrett (1986 Red Sox).

Ortiz is the third player to reach base safely in nine straight World Series plate appearances, joining Joe Gordon (1939/1941 Yankees) and Billy Hatcher (1990 Reds).

David Ortiz In Postseasons In Which Red Sox Reached World Series
Year   Reached Base     AVG   OBP    OPS
2004   13 of 14 games  .400  .515   1.278
2007   13 of 14 games  .370  .508   1.204
2013   11 of 15 games  .360  .476   1.196
Ortiz is the first Red Sox player to have consecutive three-hit games in the World Series.

Ortiz, at age 37, is the oldest player in history with back-to-back three-hit World Series games.

Among the 277 players with at least 50 career World Series plate appearances, Ortiz is first in average, (20-for-43, .465), on-base (.556), slugging (.814), and OPS (1.370).

Highest Career OPS In World Series History
Player           OPS    Team(s)
David Ortiz     1.370   BOS
Lou Gehrig      1.214   NYY
Babe Ruth       1.214   BOS/NYY
Reggie Jackson  1.212   OAK/NYY
Ortiz has 14 RBIs in his World Series career. That ties the Red Sox record, held by Dwight Evans.

Ortiz's double in the first inning of Game 5 was his ninth extra-base hit of his World Series career. That set a new Red Sox record.

Ortiz homered in Games 1 and 2, becoming the first Red Sox player to do so and the 11th player in major league history. He is the second Red Sox player to homer in consecutive World Series games, joining Larry Gardner (Games 3 and 4 against Brooklyn, 1916).

Ortiz has hit five home runs in the 2013 postseason, tying the team record for a single postseason. The record is held by Todd Walker (2003) and Ortiz (2004).

In 54 World Series plate appearances, Ortiz has 20 hits, 10 walks, and only four strikeouts.

Ortiz hasn't struck out in his last 30 postseason at-bats.

To paraphrase Ortiz, this is his fuckin series.

9 comments:

allan said...

Jayson Stark has more Papi tidbits.

allan said...

Buster Olney: "David Ortiz has played in 13 WS games, and based on win probability %, he's had the most important hit in 6 of those."

Unreal.

Tom DePlonty said...

Imagine topping a list with Gehrig, Ruth, and Reggie Jackson after you. And where you actually left the rest of them in the dust.

allan said...

Really want him to have another multi-hit game (a bunch of BBIs would work too) to stay on top of the AVG, OBP, and SLG lists!

allan said...

Just had a thought: Can you imagine the scene if he gets a walk-off hit tonight?!!?

Gareth said...

Allan, I was thinking your walk-off thought on the way into work today (I work near Fenway), and just trying to imagine the pandemonium on that scenario. He should probably considering retiring on the spot!

Tom DePlonty said...

Can you imagine the scene if he gets a walk-off hit tonight?!!?

It would be amazing, but there is part of me that would appreciate an early lead and no-drama near shutout pitching from Lackey + Koji. Low-stress clinching water.

allan said...

A big early lead would turn Fenway into a huge party for a few hours. ... But I want a tight game more than a blowout.

allan said...

Even more Ortiz facts here and here.