He’s batting .329 (fourth in the AL), with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs (second in the MLB) this season. Against the Astros just a few weeks ago he had a home run, game tying triple in the ninth and a walk-off double in extras. Sounds like someone who’s hitting the prime of their career when in fact it’s a man who plans to retire at the end of this season, David Ortiz.
Commonly known as Big Papi, David Ortiz has been a star slugger in the MLB for some time now. He became a household name when he lead the Red Sox back from a 3-0 series deficit in the ALCS against the Yankees to win the series in seven games, a feat that had never been accomplished in Major League Baseball. He sparked the comeback with a walk-off 2-run home run in the twelfth inning of game 4. Ortiz brought the magic back to game 5 where he had three RBIs including a walk-off single in the fourteenth inning. Even at this point, down 3-2 in the series, the Red Sox chances at a compare were still slim to none. The Red Sox went on to win game 6 despite Ortiz going 0-4. He came back for game 7 however hitting another home run and bringing in the opening runs of a Red Sox rout to complete one of the most improbable comebacks in sports history.
David Ortiz has been the centerpiece of the rebirth of the historic Red Sox franchise. Not having won a World Series since 1918, the Red Sox were thought to be cursed. After incidents like trading away Babe Ruth to the Yankees and Bill Buckner’s infamous error to lose game 6 of the 1986 World Series, it’s hard not to feel cursed. However, David Ortiz was the savior the franchise needed. After signing as a free agent in 2003, he’s done nothing but make a huge impact on the league. Big Papi has lived up to the name-winning three World Series (2004, 2007, 2013), making 9 trips to the All-Star Game and tallying 6 Silver Slugger awards. He’s recently joined some elite company with Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron as the only players to notch 600 doubles and 500 home runs in their careers. There is no doubt that Ortiz will be a first ballot hall of famer.
Despite having one of his best seasons so far, he is very adamant about retiring. With about three quarters of the season remaining, look for Big Papi to continue to hit towering home runs as he tries to lead the Red Sox into the playoffs for one more run.
