A legend, an icon, a symbol to a city, are just a few ways to describe the legacy of David Ortiz. He has been on a season-long farewell tour, receiving gifts from teams across the league. Even the archrival Yankees put together a ceremony for him.
Big Papi retires as the greatest designated hitter of all-time and one of the most beloved baseball players in recent memory. Seen as one of the clutchest hitters ever to play the game, there was nobody else you would rather have up to bat with the game on the line. Ortiz is the only player with three career walk-off postseason hits, adding 17 regular season walk-offs. In 2004, he helped end an 86-year World Series drought with the Red Sox and added two more championships with the team in 2007 and 2013. He batted himself to the World Series MVP in 2013, with a jaw-dropping average of .688.
All in all, Ortiz is throwing in the towel after crushing over 500 home runs and nearly 2500 hits over his 20 seasons in the MLB. To me, those numbers alone should put him in the hall of fame. On top of that, his importance in Red Sox history should certainly make him a no-brainer first balloter.
A synonym for David Ortiz is Mr. October. His World Series stats alone tell the story. Using the qualifying scale of 50 at-bats, he has the highest batting average (.455), on-base percentage (.576) and slugging percentage (.795) in World Series history.
While the season ended with a whimper, Papi went out with a bang, with 38 homers and 127 RBI, both rank first for any player over than 40 (all-time).
As Travis Shaw flew out to end game three, the realization hit me: the realization that I had just witnessed the end of an era. The realization that this Boston icon was done performing. As he walked out onto the field to a thunderous roar from the Fenway faithful, surrounded by as many cameramen that could fit, I felt my stomach churn. I knew it was over.
That sickness feeling is still there, and probably will be for a while.
I will never forget the Red Sox game that was after the Boston Marathon bombing. Ortiz took the mound and gave a heartfelt speech, with the most memorable line being "This is our ------- city". The Red Sox went on the World Series that year, just the icing on the cake. Watch the video here.
Thank you, Papi. Thank you for putting this Red Sox franchise on your back and transforming them once again into a winning team. Thank you for lifting the city up during its darkest hour. Thank you for loving the city as much as we do. I have never seen a Red Sox player embrace the city of Boston like Ortiz has done.
Boston won't forget you, helping the city of champions earn its name alone is something that will earn you lifelong respect from Bostonians. But you were so much more than a mere baseball player. You mean so much to this city, and are beloved by all of baseball as well.
Us fans are privileged to have been able to watch you put your heart and soul into the team and city throughout your career.
His career may have ended quietly, but the legacy he leaves behind is the furthest thing from quiet.
Thank you, Papi.
