Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz hit the 513th home run of his career during the bottom of the third inning of Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros. The solo shot moved him past Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews into 22nd place on the league’s all-time home run list, per ESPN Stats & Info.
It was Ortiz’s 10th home run of the year, his 20th season in the major leagues and what will be his last, as he announced in November he’ll retire after 2016.
Ortiz has now recorded 17 consecutive seasons with 10 or more home runs. He became a premier power hitter after he joined the Red Sox in 2003 following six years with the Minnesota Twins.
The now-40-year-old hit 30 or more home runs nine times from 2003 to 2015, including a league-leading 54 in 2006.
It’s taken him a tiny bit longer to get to the same number as Mathews and Banks, though. Banks launched 512 home runs in 19 seasons, all with the Chicago Cubs, while Mathews recorded his total in 17 years, mostly with the Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves.
Ortiz needs eight more home runs to move into 19th on the list and join a trio of Hall of Famers in Ted Williams, Willie McCovey and Frank Thomas, who belted 521 long balls in their careers.
He would need 22 more to pass Jimmie Foxx for 18th and 24 to get by Mickey Mantle for 17th as the last remaining realistic targets in his storied career.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com
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