Wednesday, May 22, 2013
David Ortiz looks to be shut down for the season. It seems likely the Red Sox will re-sign him. But will they give him more than a one-year deal, especially with the chance of him being injured again?
We look at Ortiz and the history of older sluggers in TODAY'S COLUMN.
Ortiz has seemed to do just fine at age 36 (except for the Achilles tendon injury). Just a few years ago, he looked over-matched by left-handed pitchers. But he has turned that around. Here is a look at his home run totals and batting average over the last seven years (his numbers against left-handed pitching in parentheses):
2006: .287, 54 (.278, 18)
2007: .332, 35 (.308, 14)
2008: .264, 23 (.221, 5)*
2009: .238, 28 (.212, 6)
2010: .270, 32 (.222, 2)
2011: .309, 29 (.329, 8)
2012: .318, 23 (.320, 9)**
*109 games
** 90 games
Now for a look at the standings:
AL EAST
Yankees 82-63
Orioles 81-64 (1 back)
Rays 78-67 (4 back)
WILD CARD
A’s 84-61
Orioles 81-64
Angels 79-67 (2.5 back)
Rays 78-67 (3)
Tigers 77-67 (3.5)
FOR 2013 TOP DRAFT PICK
Astros 47-99
Cubs 57-88
Rockies 58-86
Twins 60-86
Indians 60-86
Marlins 65-81
Blue Jays 65-79
RED SOX 66-80
Royals 66-79
Mets 66-79
Padres 70-76
Seattle 70-76
Kevin Thomas covers baseball and basketball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 after working for the St. Petersburg Times. He is married to Nancy and they have nine children.
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs on Clearing the Bases
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Celtics and Maine Red Claws on Holding Court
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