For The Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz Was More than a Ballplayer

Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz’s Impact Goes Beyond Baseball In The City Of Boston

The 2003 Boston Red Sox were the first sports team I followed for a full season. As a nine year old, I was captivated by the players, their personalities, and just the thrill of the game. I was even more excited that my favorite team was about to defeat our arch-rival and play in the World Series. That was until Aaron Boone shot a walk off home run over the left field wall, breaking mine, as well as an entire city’s hearts. As I would learn, that was the life of being a Red Sox fan; they reel you in and then let you down.

The next season only continued that trend, perennial heartbreak. Down three games to none against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS, the Sox were one loss away from another year of disappointment. Another year of high hopes, only to be washed away in the misery of postseason defeat. That was until David Ortiz stepped into the batter’s box in the 12^th inning of Game 4, and in the 14^th inning in Game 5, and eventually led the Boston Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years.

Ortiz Delivers Boston The Championship It Desperately Wanted

Big Papi became a Boston hero following that magical postseason run in 2004. After decades of agony and playoff shortcomings, the Boston Red Sox were back atop the baseball world. Ortiz’ run of success was something the baseball world had never seen before, seemingly carrying a team on his back all the way to a World Series title. Little did we know that Ortiz’ run of magic wouldn’t just be limited to one month in 2004, in fact it would carry on for the next 12 years.

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The man would go on to deliver countless more moments that will live on in Boston sports history forever, including countless clutch hits and two more World Series titles in 2007 and 2013. As the years went on in Boston, Ortiz became so much more than a baseball player, he became a larger than life figure, an icon. With a smile that stretched from Boston to the Dominican Republic, Ortiz stole the hearts of an entire city, providing memories that Red Sox fans will hold on to for the rest of their days.

Ortiz is never wavered by the bright lights and the big stage, rather he embraces it. There is a certain aura about him that puts not just his teammates, but also an entire fan base at ease when he steps up to the plate. We expect him to deliver when the pressure is at its highest, and more often than not, he does.

That is something Boston Red Sox fans grew to expect and admire about Ortiz, being there for his team when they needed him most. This notion firmly held true in the spring of 2013, when not just the Boston Red Sox, but the city of Boston needed him most. Following the tragic Boston Marathon attacks in April of that year, the city was in need of a voice, a guiding light, a reassurance that everything would be ok.

Big Papi Will Be Missed More Than Any Other Player In Team History

As Boston watched on with sorrowful hearts, Ortiz grabbed a microphone before a sell out crowd at Fenway Park. He delivered yet again, orating a touching speech that preached unity, bravery and strength. Big Papi reminded us that a sickening act of terrorism wasn’t going to bring us down and that Boston was “our f***ing city.” Boston was counting him in that moment, and just like his countless walk off hits, he delivered when we needed him to.

As we saw in that moment, and countless other moments throughout his years in Boston, David Ortiz the baseball player is only outdone by David Ortiz the person. His impact on the community is remarkable, as he’s changed the lives of hundreds of children in both Boston and the Dominican Republic. While Ortiz has seen an incredible amount of success on the field, it doesn’t hold a candle to his success off of it. The David Ortiz Foundation, as well as his multiple other charitable outlets, have bettered the lives of countless children on a global landscape. Who would have thought that a boy from a poor family in Santo Domingo would go on to be one of the game’s biggest ambassadors.

All of this made it so hard to accept David’s announcement in November of 2015 that this 2016 season would be his last. It was hard to accept that Big Papi wasn’t in fact immortal, and that father time is undefeated. It made it even harder after Ortiz went on to have one of his best seasons of his career and led the Sox to an American League East pennant. As legitimate World Series contenders, it would only be fitting to send Ortiz off as a champion.

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No matter what happens this October, though, David Ortiz will be remembered in Boston as a champion through and through. He put together a career on the field that deserves an enshrinement in Cooperstown and put together a life that everyone can admire and look up to. Yogi Berra once said, “Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.” David Ortiz was never short of love. He loves his family, he loves his team, he loves the city and I think I can speak on behalf of all of Red Sox nation when I say that we love him.

Lets hope we haven’t made the last of our memories together, and do this thing one more time.

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