The Latest Mister 500

A couple of weeks back I took note of the "countdown" atop Fenway Park's Green Monster for David Ortiz. Saturday, he "Big Papi" reached that milestone -- he's the 27th major leaguer to do do -- in the Red Sox 10 - 4 victory over the Rays at the Trop. Of course, befitting a big man, he did it in a big way, belting two homers, numbers-499 and 500. For the statistically minded, he's the fourth player from the Dominican to reach 500. 2015 is also his ninth season with 30 or more homers, passing Ted Williams old mark of eight. 
The connecting thread of the three Red Sox championship teams of the past years, Ortiz staked his claim -- even with long-ago PED accusations -- to becoming the first DH elected to Cooperstown. Two months from turning 40, he remains one of the most intimidating hitters in all of baseball.

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