Just As Ortiz Said In July, Encarnacion Should Be His Successor In Boston

Few people ever think about the All-Star game from the middle of July until October, when the National League champions suddenly remember its significance. Because the American League won 4-2, its pennant winner will have home field advantage for the World Series.

Another significance of this past Midsummer Classic had nothing to do with the results, but an interview during the game. Boston’s David Ortiz, who is known affectionately by baseball fans as Big Papi, campaigned for his successor.

Ortiz, being honored at the game because of his retirement at the end of the season, told reporters that Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion would be a good replacement for him as Boston’s designated hitter. Encarnacion will be a free agent this winter, and will hit the market as the most highly coveted slugger.

There is no question that Encarnacion would be an appropriate successor to Big Papi, for the two share much more than just the American League lead in runs batted in. Both were raised in the Dominican Republic, and both are proven prolific sluggers.

Both are primarily designated hitters, although Encarnacion spent most of 2016 playing first base. Ortiz probably fit Boston’s lineup better, being a left handed hitter rather than a righty like Encarnacion.

The two players were highly touted prospects that their original clubs gave up on too early, much to the chagrin of their fans. Ortiz came up through the Minnesota system before being released, and Encarnacion spent his minor league career with Cincinnati before being traded to the Blue Jays for Scott Rolen.

Once joining their new cities both hitters truly blossomed, as did their teams. Ortiz hit 483 home runs and 1530 RBI during his fourteen years in Boston, leading the Red Sox to three World Series Championships after a drought of nearly a hundred years. During his six years with the Twins, Ortiz had hit just 58 home runs with 483 RBI.

In his five years with the Reds, Encarnacion had 71 home runs and 263 RBI. In his next eight years in Toronto those numbers rose to 239 and 679, leading the Blue Jays to two straight trips to the A.L. Championship Series after a playoff drought dating back to 1991.

Their numbers this year were pretty similar, besides sharing the RBI title with 127 each. Ortiz hit 38 home runs, while Encarnacion blasted 42 for the second time in five years.

The Blue Jays really need to keep his power in their lineup, so they will make Encarnacion a lucrative deal. There is a possibility that Boston may go even higher, which could earn Encarnacion the nickname of Big Papi Junior.

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