CLEVELAND -- Wednesday evening at Progressive Field, Red Sox icon David Ortiz and Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant were announced as the winners of the 2016 Hank Aaron Award. The award is given annually to the players deemed the best hitters in their league.
"I congratulate David Ortiz and Kris Bryant on earning the 2016 Hank Aaron Awards," said commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement. "David created an extraordinary legacy with the Red Sox. Fans will never forget his consistent excellence at the plate and his performances on the game's greatest stages. Kris followed up an award-winning rookie season by helping lead the Cubs to their best regular season in more than a century. Both David and Kris are deserving of an honor named for one of the greatest players and individuals that our game has ever known."
Ortiz, who retired following the 2016 season, hit .315/.401/.620 (162 OPS+) with 48 doubles, 38 homers, and 127 RBI. He led all of baseball in doubles, slugging percentage and OPS. Big Papi also led the American League in RBI. It was a truly remarkable farewell season.
"I think it's an honor to be part of this unbelievable award," said Ortiz. "I have received a lot of different awards in my career, but the Hank Aaron Award that I have in my house is the one that I kind of look at every day. The way it looks just to begin with is something that to me is very special. Every time I get to the plate, it's something that means a lot to me. Like I say, it's an honor. Thank you very much."
Over in the NL, Bryant hit .292/.385/.554 (149 OPS+) with 35 doubles, 39 homers, and 102 RBI. He led the league with 121 runs scored and was top 10 in basically every significant offensive category. That's why Bryant is the odds-on favorite to be named NL MVP in the weeks following the World Series.
"I want to thank all the fans and everyone who supported me for this award," Bryant said at a press conference with Ortiz and Aaron. "It's truly an honor to be up here with two of the best baseball players to ever play this game. I grew up watching Big Papi on the Red Sox get to this point and win a World Series, and hopefully I can do that here. To accept an award with one of the best baseball players ever with your name on it is a true honor for me, so thank you."
Ortiz previously won the Hank Aaron Award back in 2015. Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson and Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper won the award last season.
