Ortiz wins record 8th Edgar Martinez Outstanding DH Award
A month removed from his final game, David Ortiz is still setting records.
The now-retired slugger was given one final honor after his record-setting farewell season with the Boston Red Sox when he was named the winner of the 2016 Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. It's the eighth time Ortiz has taken home the honor, by far the most in the award's 43-year history.
Ortiz previously won the award every year from 2003-07, then again in 2011 and 2013. He's the only Red Sox DH to win it more than once.
The final season of Ortiz's legendary 20-year career was truly one for the ages. Playing in 151 games for the AL East champion Red Sox, the 40-year-old turned back the clock to hit .315/.401/.620 with 38 homers, an AL-best 127 RBIs, and 80 walks. He also led baseball in slugging percentage, doubles (48), and OPS (1.021), while setting multiple records for both players aged 40 or over and players in their final season. In addition to this award, Ortiz won his seventh AL Silver Slugger and finished sixth in MVP voting.
The award for outstanding DH in the American League was first handed out in 1973, when the position was established. It was renamed for Seattle Mariners legend Edgar Martinez - regarded by many as the greatest DH ever - upon his retirement in 2004. Martinez won the award five times under its previous name, and only Ortiz has won it more.
Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz finished second in voting to Ortiz, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne.