In 2005 David Ortiz was given a plaque from Larry Lucchino, Red Sox President and CEO. The plaque read:"The Greatest Clutch Hitter in the History of the Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, #34."Since his arrival in Boston in 2003, Big Papi has hit 231 HRs with 820 RBIs. He has thrilled the Fenway Faithful with numerous game winning hits and has been a formidable foe in the Sox line-up.
A force to be reckoned with.
In 2004 Oriz hit Game winning home runs in game 3 of the ALDS versus Anaheim ( actually a series winning HR). He followed that up with a game winning extra inning blast in game 4 of the ALCS vs. the Yankees to become the first player in MLB history to hit two walk off HRs in the same post season. That victory put in motion the chain of events that led to the precedent setting historic series come back from the brink of elimination. Game 5 of the '04 ALCS presented Papi with another opportunity to chisel out his legacy. His epic 10th inning, 10 pitch at bat ended with a single which plated Johnny Damon with the game winning run.
A legend was born and thrived for the ensuing 4 years.
Until this year Ortiz has more than lived up to his "clutch" hitting reputation. From 2003- 2008 seasons with the Sox, he has 16 walk off hits, including 10 homers. His reputation and place in Red Sox and MLB history have, like the bricks at the front gates to Fenway Park, been cemented into immortality.
But, alas, a wrist injury incurred last season, coupled with the departure of Manny Ramirez, have left Papi with no "pop". Ortiz played in only 109 games last season with 23 Home runs and 89 RBI's. Papi entered the 2009 season, looking leaner and determined to show the world he could still hit without the dread locked doofus Ramirez protecting him in the lineup. Thus far, in 35 games, the big fella has a paltry 27 hits with zero home runs and 15 RBIs. It all came to a head last week in Anaheim when a miserable 0-for-7 performance, leaving 12 men on base, tying a Red Sox record. This led to manager Terry Francona giving the DH the entire weekend series against Seattle off to refresh and reflect.
Last night his offensive struggles continued- going 0-3 with 2 K's, watching his batting average fall to 203.
The question now becomes: Is Big Papi finished? Has he fallen faster than guys like Cecil Fielder, Mo Vaughn, and Jim Rice? Has his swing slowed to a snail's pace making him incapable of getting around on the inside fastball? Has his swing gotten too long? What do Theo Epstein et. al. do with Ortiz? None of the options is pleasant. Placing him lower in the lineup. A stint with Pawtucket and former hitting coach Ron Jackson? Trade for another DH? Victor Martinez of the Indians and The National's Nick Johnson have been involved in trade whispers. It's not like Ortiz has no protection in the lineup. Jason Bay, Boston's cleanup hitter, has been on fire this season with 11 HRs, 40 RBIs batting almost 300 with an OPS of 1.054.
For now Red Sox management seem willing to stick with #34. I'm inclined to do the same. The guy has produced too much for too long. Too often, in the sports community we as fans and media are quick to the trigger to either anoint a rookie as "the next great superstar" or an aging veteran as "finished". Remember Mike Lowell. Everyone said he was washed up to the point where The Marlins forced him on The Sox in the Beckett trade. Since arriving in Boston Lowell has been all All Star and -oh by the way- won the World Series MVP in 2007.
I'll stick with Big Papi. After all he has contributed to the Sox I think we the fans owe him a little loyalty..... but Theo- let's also keep that cell phone charged just in case.
- Steve
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