David Ortiz breaks Dave Kingman's record for most home runs in final season

Alex Novick

David Ortiz breaks Dave Kingman's record for most home runs in final season image

With a game-sealing three-run homer off Kevin Gausman Tuesday night, David Ortiz passed Dave Kingman's MLB record for home runs in a player's final season, with 36.  In the process, Ortiz tied Shoeless Joe Jackson for the most RBI in a player's final season, with 121. 

Ortiz continues to blow minds during his farewell tour at the age of 40. He leads the majors in slugging percentage (.634) and OPS, (1.037), both of which would be the best by a batting title-qualified player in his final season. He already has that record for doubles, tied for the league lead with Daniel Murphy at 47.  No player has ever led the majors in any of those three categories in their final season. 

By the way, all of those aforementioned numbers are and would be the best ever for a player after turning 40-years-old. And not shockingly, no player has ever led the league in any of those categories as a 40-year-old or older. But most of that is old news at this point, after Ortiz passed Darrell Evans' home run mark of 34 on Monday. 

And if you're wondering, Ortiz's .318 batting average would currently rank seventh on each list - both for a batting-title qualified player in his final season and after turning 40.

MORE: Ortiz could be in for something special at Yankee Stadium

Ortiz can soon shift his record-breaking focus towards a three-game series at Yankee stadium, where he needs just one homer to tie Goose Goslin's 32 for the most ever as a visitor of the Bronx. Two long balls would match Manny Ramirez's 55 for third-most overall against the Yankees, behind only Jimmie Foxx (70) and Ted Williams (62). 

 

 

Alex Novick

Alex Novick Photo

Alex is an assistant managing editor at The Sporting News.