David Ortiz: An Ode to Big Papi
By Blake Yagman
David Ortiz, Big Papi, 3-4. Call him what you want but the facts remain the same. Ortiz is a Red Sox legend and should go down in history as the most impactful player the Franchise has ever seen.
Five Hundred and Twelve: the amount of times Red Sox DH David Ortiz has pointed to sky after a trot around the bases.
The homers have been great; he has passed the likes of Red Sox legends Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice, and is approaching the historic company of Ted Williams, Jimmie Foxx and Mickie Mantle. But what will be missed more, are the subtleties David Ortiz brought to the game of baseball.
Each time Big Papi points to the sky, he invites everyone watching to join him on an intimate moment: a humble tribute to his mother Angela Rosa Arias. In 2002, Arias was killed in a car crash in the Dominican Republic; in her memory, Ortiz’ dedicates each home run he hits.
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The resilience of David Ortiz will inspire as long as his story is told.
A teenage David Ortiz was turned away by Miami Marlins scouts in the Dominican Republic. After eventually being signed by a Seattle Mariners scout, Ortiz would go on to play minor league baseball in the same farm system as another future slugger: Alex Rodriguez. Seattle, however, decided Ortiz was not worth their time.
Papi’s next stop: Minnesota. Though David would break into the major leagues for the first time with the Twins, his stay would be short lived. The Twins would eventually find no financial flexibility to retail the future Hall-of-Famer, so they cut him.
When the Boston Red Sox signed David Ortiz, they did not anticipate he would immediately become a key contributor. In 2003, David Ortiz entered Red Sox spring training as a 27 year old, possibly out of shape journeyman first-baseman. With only 68 career home runs at that point, “Big Papi” still had yet to be born.
On four frigid, October nights everything changed.
In 2004, David Americo Arias Ortiz was born again in a century old cathedral called Fenway. Down three games to none in a best of seven series, Ortiz’ Red Sox faced insurmountable odds in the American League Championship Series against New York. Then, like the shot heard ’round the world, he mashed a baseball into the dark of night to win a game.
Then again. And again.
Before anyone in Red Sox Nation could come to grips with what was taking place, an 86 year curse of baseball barrenness was shattered.
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Along the ride to present day, David Ortiz’ Red Sox have won three World Series. Again, Big Papi’s clutch timing came at a more crucial moment, between home runs and ticker tape parades.
The Boston Marathon Bombing paralyzed one of America’s most vibrant and free-spirited cities. Ortiz, one of the proudest American immigrants you will ever meet, lifted the city from it’s knees during a true moment of horror. (Which he will be acting out in an upcoming Wahlberg film.)
In our city, you are our heartbeat.
Thank you David.