David OrtizSpeaker and Booking Agent Information

In 1996 the Mariners received Dave Hollins from the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named later. Later that season the Mariners announced that the player to be named later would be Arias. When he arrived in Minnesota he informed the team that he preferred to be listed as David Ortiz. He made his debut in September 1997.

After moving up and down from the majors to the minors Ortiz hit .272 with 20 home runs and 75 RBIs in 2002 when the Twins lost in the American League Championship Series to the Anaheim Angels.The Twins released Ortiz nine days before Christmas in 2002. The Red Sox signed the free agent the following month.

Originally Jeremy Giambi was assigned the primary role as DH/First Baseman but his poor performance allowed Ortiz to step in. Additionally the subsequent trade of Shea Hillenbrand to the Arizona Diamondbacks allowed Bill Mueller to play full time at third base creating more playing time.

Ortiz became the full time designated hitter and hit fifth in the batting order collecting 21 home runs after the All-Star Game. He finished the season hitting .288 with 31 home runs and 101 RBI in only 128 games. Ortiz finished fifth in the American League MVP vote.