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Records only part of story; 2016 could be legendary
- Updated: September 20, 2016
Sure, we’re all caught up in the records — the win-loss ledgers that are going to determine the October dance cards and seeding.
But don’t lose sight of the records — the history at stake in these last two weeks of the 2016 season.
Here are five trends worth tracking:
David Ortiz: A grand goodbye
As is especially evident in an election year, it’s hard to find widespread agreement on anything in this world and, yes, in this game. But if you’re not already on board with the idea that Ortiz has treated us to the Greatest Final Season (By a Hitter) in History, suffice to say you’re in the minority.
Ortiz has already hit the most doubles (47) of any player in his final season. His next home run will tie Dave Kingman’s record (35) for home runs in a final season. And Ortiz is also on pace to become the first player in his final year to:
• Lead the Majors in slugging (.630).
• Lead the Majors in OPS (1.034).
• Lead the Majors in extra-base hits (83).
So Big Papi’s definitely going out on a high note at an old age. Speaking of which, his home run Monday night gave him the most a player in his age-40-or-older season (breaking a tie with Darrell Evans’ 34 in 1987), and he already holds the records for most doubles and RBIs (116) for a player that old.
MLB: Homer history
Ortiz has contributed to a league-wide trend in which the long ball is back with a vengeance. In just two years’ time, the average number of home runs per game has climbed by nearly one-third, and there is a very real chance that this 2016 season will deliver more home runs than any other year in Major League history.
The record currently belongs to 2000, when 5,693 homers were hit at a pace of 1.172 per game. This year’s rate, entering Tuesday, was 1.166, so it’s …
