A lesson in fame: What makes David Ortiz, the most liked DH in the history of baseball

In 1973, the MLB shook the world when they adopted a rule that continues to be one of the most argued over in the MLB's book of regulations: The Designated Hitter Rule. 

40 years later, David Ortiz is approximately 2 million votes secure of winning himself a 3rd straight spot as DH in the MLB All-Star game. 

Born 3 years after the rule was instated, "Big Papi" as Sox fans fondly call him, is one of 50 MLB players to ever hit 400 home runs. In his 17 years of pro baseball, Ortiz has become the most proficient home run hitting DH in baseball history and when you think about it, that is the main reason for Ortiz's unthinkably loyal fan base. 

You see, Baseball fans like home runs and that opinion is only reinforced by the fact that in last years All Star game alone, all but one of the AL starters hit more than 10 home runs in that same 2012 MLB season. And that's only getting started.  In 1973, the DH was introduced to do just what David Ortiz has done: not strike out and pelt the ball as far as he possibly could. At that time, pitchers would bat just like the rest of team and while the effect of them being removed from the batting order is still up in the air, one facet of the era of the DH is well profiled by countess arguments for and against the controversial position: even in leagues were they bat, pitchers don't focus on hitting meaning that 9 times out of 10, the pitcher comes up, and bing bang boom he is out. 

Ortiz is the living epitome of great hitting, 1,939 hits, 417 home runs, and 499 career doubles, the stats don't lie. 8 All Star games played in, and 2 time World Series Champion, the achievements don't lie, David Ortiz is the GREATEST Designated Hitter of all time, the greatest Red Sox hitter of the decade and a historic long ball specialist only comparable to mighty Babe Ruth himself. 

Below is the list of all current AL nominees for the All Star game, and the number of votes they have been given. Red Sox players names are bolded

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR VOTING 
(as of July 1) 

CATCHER 
Joe Mauer, Twins: 3,869,330 
Matt Wieters, Orioles: 2,677,959 
A.J. Pierzynski, Rangers: 1,441,827 
Carlos Santana, Indians: 1,285,650 
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Red Sox: 1,256,505 

FIRST BASE 
Chris Davis, Orioles: 5,468,703 
Prince Fielder, Tigers: 3,280,681 
Albert Pujols, Angels: 1,140,420 
Mike Napoli, Red Sox: 1,123,281 
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 1,007,675 

SECOND BASE 
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 3,974,322 
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 2,838,129 
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,767,806 
Omar Infante, Tigers: 1,554,514 
Jose Altuve, Astros: 1,227,462 

THIRD BASE 
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 5,844,165 
Manny Machado, Orioles: 2,752,627 
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 1,792,809 
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,528,877 
Josh Donaldson, Athletics: 827,381 

SHORTSTOP 
J.J. Hardy, Orioles: 3,509,180 
Jhonny Peralta, Tigers: 2,505,348 
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 2,122,770 
Jed Lowrie, Athletics: 1,491,376 
Jose Reyes, Blue Jays: 1,091,707 

DESIGNATED HITTER 

David Ortiz, Red Sox: 4,398,197 
Lance Berkman, Rangers: 2,004,388 
Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays: 1,688,099 
Victor Martinez, Tigers: 1,257,577 
Mark Trumbo, Angels: 1,190,709 

OUTFIELD 
Mike Trout, Angels: 4,822,983 
Adam Jones, Orioles: 4,766,256 
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 2,679,230 
Nick Markakis, Orioles: 2,536,864 
Torii Hunter, Tigers: 2,390,336 
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 2,258,797 
Nate McLouth, Orioles: 2,169,772 
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 1,751,022 
Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics: 1,556,700 
Coco Crisp, Athletics: 1,421,277 
Alex Gordon, Royals: 1,416,887 
Austin Jackson, Tigers: 1,306,330 
Josh Hamilton, Angels: 1,138,518 
Shane Victorino, Red Sox: 1,059,429 
Ichiro Suzuki, Yankees: 1,003,198