Red Sox DH David Ortiz Begins Final Weekend with a Bang

Red Sox DH David Ortiz reached into his bag of heroics once again on Friday night, kicking off his final regular season weekend at Fenway Park in style.

In need of a hero, the Boston Red Sox have turned to primarily one man over the last 14 seasons. He is fun-loving player that, even if unintended, has a flair for the dramatic.

After all these years, David Ortiz still knows when to rise to the occasion.

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Ortiz lined a two-run home run into right field–his 38th on the season–to break a three-all tie in the seventh inning. This came after an RBI single in the first. His three RBI’s led the Red Sox to a 5-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.

It was career home run number 541 for Ortiz. And it was the 36th time he’d hit a home run in the seventh inning or later during his stay in Boston.

Rick Porcello, in his final regular season start, went six innings in getting a no-decision. He gave up eight hits and three runs while striking out six in his final tune-up before the postseason.

Dustin Pedroia had three hits for Boston, pushing his season total to 201 and helping the Red Sox win their 93rd game.

But the night was truly about Ortiz.

A season long celebration at team’s opposing parks culminated at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night. Though 78 home games had been played already at Fenway, Friday night began a weekend-long celebration to say good-bye. (Yes, there is the postseason, but that’s when things get serious.)

Not enough words can be used to say the importance of Ortiz to this organization and the city of Boston over the years. In fact, moments like tonight’s game-winning home run are almost expected from Ortiz and seemingly come as second nature.

Is it fair? No, but over the years it seems to become fact. There’s a natural assumption he will do the impossible, whether it’s a single or a home run. If the game stretches past the seventh inning and the Red Sox are in need of a big hit, Ortiz will take care of it.

That’s the romanticism of baseball. It’s Ortiz in the later stages of the 2004 ALCS coming up with the big hit. It’s Vin Scully getting the perfect call for his last game. And it’s Dee Gordon hitting a lead-off home run in honor of his fallen friend and teammate Jose Fernandez.

Simply put, delivering on command is all part of the Ortiz legend.

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From season-salvaging at-bats in 2004 to his charity work and his rousing speech to lift a broken city, Ortiz has played the role of hero to many Boston fans. It has been quite the swan song for “Big Papi”. One that with any luck will last another month.

Another World Series ring? It may not be what the hero needs, but it’s certainly what the hero deserves.

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