Boston Red Sox extra bases: J.D. Martinez is filling that David Ortiz void
Since the retirement of David Ortiz back in 2016, the Boston Red Sox have been searching for a player to fill the void and looks like they found him in J.D. Martinez.
Boston Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez launched his league-leading 25th home run Wednesday night in the team’s 9-6 victory over the Anaheim Angels as Fenway Park. In doing so, Martinez became the first player in team history to hit that many home runs prior to July 1.
That, my friends, is something the great David Ortiz has not accomplished. In fact, with the pace Martinez is on so far this season, he is putting together perhaps the greatest offensive season in Red Sox history.
Not only does he lead the league in just about every offensive statically category, he is one of the main reasons the team currently sit atop of the AL East. He has also been a reason some of the younger hitters have been successful.
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Through his experience, leadership and what he is doing on the field, Martinez has finally filled the void left by Ortiz…at least through the first three months of the MLB season.
"“It goes more than his production,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said about Martinez following Wednesday night’s game. “You saw today Raffy (Rafael Devers) staying in there against lefties and putting good at-bats. Communication with Mookie (Betts). There’s more that goes on. He’s a special player. He’s a special hitter. And he’s becoming a special teammate. And what he brings to the table, it’s more than what he does on the field. He’s becoming the leader of the team in the clubhouse and we’re very proud of him.”"
On a team fueled by young players, it is good to see J.D. Martinez step up and fill the role Big Papi once held. Although Martinez has a way to go in a Red Sox uniform before he even comes close to holding the status Ortiz once did and still does, he is good for this team right now.
Endorsed by David Ortiz
The Boston Red Sox knew for a while J.D. Martinez was their man. After passing on the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski put all his chips in Martinez and it is working out at a cheaper price.
While Red Sox fans and a few critics were skeptical of Martinez’s worth, David Ortiz recognized how special Boston’s new power hitter was back in spring training.
When you can impress the greatest clutch hitter in Boston Red Sox history, you know you have it going on.
"“I was watching J.D. hit for four straight days,” Ortiz said back in March, via NESN. “This is a guy – he loves staying through the ball better than anybody I’ve ever seen. I watched him hit in batting practice for four days. His power to straight center field and opposite field, it’s something that, it’s gonna work out perfectly, because he’s not gonna have to do much to hit the ball over the Green Monster, and then pitchers are going to try to stay away from him, and the way he drives the ball to center field and to right field –he basically looks like a left-handed hitter hitting the ball over the right-field fence.”"
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Ortiz went on to label Martinez a perfect fit for the Red Sox and he is certainly proving it. With the lack of recent success the team has had with prior big-name free agents, it is great to see the 30-year-old slugger not only proving his worth, but elevating his game in a city where expectations are high.
Next: The 5 greatest Boston Red Sox hitters in franchise history
The Boston Red Sox have been searching two seasons to find that leader in the middle of their lineup, it appears that search is finally over.