Boston, MA

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz surpassed Harold Baines for the most hits ever by a designated hitter with 1,689.

A second-inning double in an 11-4 win over the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field did the trick.

In the next inning, a two-run shot gave Ortiz the most homers registered by a DH.

The 37-year-old veteran entered the night four hits shy of tying Baines' lead. He was 4-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, one RBI, three runs and a stolen base.

Many are now including Ortiz among the top five best players in Red Sox history. Ted Williams is widely deemed to be the top Red Sox star ever.

The rest of the top four could be Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez and Carl Yastrzemski, not particularly in that order.

He is also now considered the best designated hitter in history, edging Edgar Martinez and Frank Thomas.

"I think before it's all said and done, he's going to be the standard by which all other DHs are compared, and rightfully so," Red Sox manager John Farrell said before the game.

 

 

Article: "David Ortiz Now All-Time DH leader in Hits, Homers"