Boston Red Sox legends: David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz and his rise to fame
The Boston Red Sox have had a history of all-time greats.
You have the guys that were around during the hard times. Yaz, Carlton Fisk, Dwight Evans, Jim Rice, and many others that didn’t win a World Series title while in Boston.
Then, there were the guys in the 1990’s that brought some life back to baseball in the city of Boston. Who could forget about the “hit dog”, Mo Vaughn?
Then of course, we can’t forget about Pedro Martinez and what he brought the Red Sox in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Then in 2003, the Red Sox brought in a DH/1B that didn’t quite cut it in Minnesota. His name? David Ortiz.
David Ortiz immediately began making an impact for the Boston Red Sox
How did he get to Boston?
Pedro Martinez said to the Boston Red Sox that this guy is for real. Sure enough, Ortiz proved it and spent 13 seasons with the Red Sox.
We all remember some sort of big moment with David Ortiz. But what exactly makes David Ortiz a legend in the eyes of Red Sox nation, and really the entire MLB fandom? Let’s take a closer inside look at the legend that is Sox DH/1B David “Big Papi” Ortiz.
The 2004 Postseason for David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox
The legend of David “Big Papi” Ortiz began in October of 2004. We all know the story by now, right? The Red Sox were down in the ALCS to the dreaded New York Yankees three games to zero.
After forcing game four into extra innings, Ortiz then came up to the plate and crushed a two run was-off homerun to force a game five. Game five? Ortiz hits a homerun to cut a 4-2 deficit to 4-3 and just so happens to hit a walk-off single to send the ALCS to New York.
After that, the rest is history. Red Sox complete the greatest comeback in professional sports history and David Ortiz receives his first World Series ring. The Red Sox don’t win that World Series if it’s not for David Ortiz, period.
But it wasn’t just the ALCS. How about the fact that David Ortiz sent the Red Sox to the ALCS with a walk-off homerun? What about the averages Ortiz hit for in the whole postseason? Ortiz hit .545 in the ALDS, .387 in the ALCS and .308 in the World Series.
That’s good for a .413 total average in the 2004 postseason. The Boston Red Sox were very fortunate to have David Ortiz in the 2004 postseason.
The 2013 Postseason for David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox
Did 2004 not convince you that David “Big Papi” Ortiz is a Boston Red Sox legend? Okay, then let’s jump all the way over to the 2013 World Series, shall we?
2013 was a year that the Red Sox were not expected to win the World Series. After a dreadful 2012, signings like Shane Victorino, Mike Napoli, and others were not going to get the Red Sox over the hump. Then the Boston marathon bombing happened and after that, the Red Sox had an improbable season.
After defeating the Rays and Tigers, they met with the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. The Red Sox won in six games, mainly because of David Ortiz. Ortiz hit an eye-popping .688 in that World Series and it seems like he just couldn’t make an out.
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It was also his leadership. Remember game four when he rounded up the Red Sox and they ended up tying the series after that? Ortiz knew when his voice needed to be heard. That was another great thing about Ortiz, his leadership in the most crucial of moments.
Whether it was a clutch at-bat or voicing what needed to be said, the leadership has always been there with Ortiz. The 2013 postseason as a whole for David Ortiz was something that myself and Red Sox fans across the world will never forget.
David Ortiz as a Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer
It’s no secret that David Ortiz was going to get into the Hall of Fame. He was arguably the most important player in Red Sox history. Actually think about it for a second.
Ted Williams, Carlton Fisk, Yaz, and others were very important to the history of the Red Sox as well. But David Ortiz just felt different to Red Sox nation. He felt like someone that the Red Sox would never have won three World Series titles.
He won three World Series titles in his historic career. Ortiz also hit .286 in his career with 541 homeruns. He also had close to 1,800 RBI’s in his MLB career. Not to mention, Ortiz was a ten time All-star during his time with the Red Sox.
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It’s safe to say that Ortiz had himself a heck of a career. Time and time again, David Ortiz came through for the Boston Red Sox. So the legend is real when it comes to David Ortiz. David “Big Papi” Ortiz is forever a Boston Red Sox legend and don’t you forget it!