Like it or hate it the designated hitter is here to stay. Although at its inception in 1973 most managers used it to give players a break from playing in the field, teams have now built rosters around having nine hitters in their lineups. Hal McRae, Brian Downing, and Harold Baines were among the first players to play as full-time DHs over multiple years.

Honorable Mention

• Hal McRae, Kansas City Royals, 1982
• Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays, 2012
• Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers, 2014
• Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians, 2005
• Paul Molitor, Toronto Blue Jays, 1993

• 10. David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, 2006



• Age: 30
• AL Silver Slugger
• AL All-Star




David Ortiz Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
5.7	151	558	115	160	29	2	54	137	1	0	119	117	.287	.413	.636	1.049

---

• 9. Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians, 2006



• Age: 29




Travis Hafner Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
5.9	129	454	100	140	31	1	42	117	0	0	100	111	.308	.439	.659	1.097

---

• 8. Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox, 1991



• Age: 23
• AL Silver Slugger




Frank Thomas Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
7.0	158	559	104	178	31	2	32	109	1	2	138	112	.318	.453	.553	1.006

---

• 7. Edgar Martinez, Seattle Mariners, 2000



• Age: 37
• AL All-Star




Edgar Martinez Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
5.7	153	556	100	180	31	0	37	145	3	0	96	95	.324	.423	.579	1.002

---

• 6. David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, 2007



• Age: 31
• AL Silver Slugger




David Ortiz Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
6.4	149	549	116	182	52	1	35	117	3	1	111	103	.332	.445	.621	1.066

---

• 5. Edgar Martinez, Seattle Mariners, 1996



• Age: 33
• AL All-Star




Edgar Martinez Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
6.5	139	499	121	163	52	2	26	103	3	3	123	84	.327	.464	.595	1.059

---

• 4. Rafael Palmeiro, Texas Rangers, 1999



• Age: 34
• AL Silver Slugger
• AL All-Star




Rafael Palmeiro Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
5.2	158	565	96	183	30	1	47	148	2	4	97	69	.324	.420	.630	1.050

---

• 3. Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox, 2000



• Age: 32
• AL Silver Slugger
• AL All-Star




Frank Thomas Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
6.0	159	582	115	191	44	0	43	143	11	3	112	94	.328	.436	.625	1.061

---

• 2. David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, 2005



• Age: 29
• AL Silver Slugger
• AL All-Star




David Ortiz Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
5.3	159	601	119	180	40	1	47	148	1	0	102	124	.300	.397	.604	1.001

---

• 1. Edgar Martinez, Seattle Mariners, 1995



• Age: 32
• AL Silver Slugger
• AL All-Star




Edgar Martinez Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
7.0	145	511	121	182	52	0	29	113	4	3	116	87	.356	.479	.628	1.107

---

Share this:

• Tweet

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related



Published by Dave Franks

View all posts by Dave Franks

Best Offensive Seasons By Position, The Lists
David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas, Rafael Palmeiro, Travis Hafner