Major League Baseball

Where does David Ortiz rank among best Red Sox hitters?

Published Jul. 20, 2022 9:45 p.m. ET

David Ortiz will be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on Sunday.

"Big Papi" was elected in his first year of eligibility and will forever be known as one of the greatest hitters to ever play the game — but was he the best to ever wear a Boston uniform?

Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski thinks he's in the conversation.

"He was one hell of a hitter, you know?" Carl Yastrzemski told the Boston Globe this week. "One of the best hitters the Red Sox ever had. Probably the only guy that was a better hitter was Ted (Williams)."

"This is a great honor for David," Yastrzemski added. "I remember when we first got him, you kind of had doubts those first couple of months, but he turned around quick and became one hell of a hitter. I think Ted would be very happy for him because he’s done so much for the Red Sox. I know I am."

So, how does Ortiz compare to Yastrzemski and Williams? Here is a breakdown of a few select numbers from each Hall of Famer:

David Ortiz

Years played: 20
Games: 2,408
Batting average: .286
On-base percentage: .380
Slugging percentage: .552
Plate appearances: 10,091
Hits: 2,472
Doubles: 632
Triples: 19
Home runs: 541
RBIs: 1,768
Awards: 10-time All-Star, 7-time Silver Slugger, 3-time World Series champion, World Series MVP

Carl Yastrzemski

Years played: 23
Games: 3,308
Batting average: .285
On-base percentage: .379
Slugging percentage: .462
Plate appearances: 13,992
Hits: 3,419
Doubles: 646
Triples: 59
Home runs: 452
RBIs: 1,844
Awards: 18-time All-Star, 7-time Gold Glove, American League MVP, Triple Crown and 3,000-hit club

Ted Williams

Years played: 19
Games: 2,292
Batting average: .344
On-base percentage: .482
Slugging percentage: .634
Plate appearances: 9,792
Hits: 2,654
Doubles: 525
Triples: 71
Home runs: 521
RBIs: 1,839
Awards: 19-time All-Star, 2-time AL MVP, 6-time batting champion, 2-time Triple Crown winner

The numbers don't always tell the entire story. But in the case of these three Red Sox, they told individual stories that will stand the test of time.