The day that all Boston Red Sox fans have dreaded is finally upon them. When Lonnie Chisenhall of the Cleveland Indians caught the final out of the American League Division Series, the historic career of David Ortiz came to an emotional end.
The expectations for the Red Sox were so high entering the postseason. They finished the regular season as one of the best teams in all of baseball. They had the best offense in the game. For many hopeful fans, David Ortiz would walk away from the game a fourth World Series ring. That’s what all Boston fans expected.
Well, things did not go as planned. The Red Sox ace and frontrunner for the Cy Young award, Rick Porcello, was lit up in game 1. David Price, who is getting paid a ridiculous $217 million, didn’t even show up in game 2. And game 3 just didn’t go the Red Sox’s way. Before Red Sox fans could even blink, their hero walked out of Fenway Park for the very last time.
When Ortiz came to the Red Sox in 2003, the expectations were not all that high. He was just released by the Minnesota Twins after six mediocre years with the team, and was brought in to compete for the DH position.
After a successful 2003 season, it wasn’t until 2004 that David Ortiz’s legacy began and the nickname Big Papi was born. Down 3 games to none in the ALCS against rival, the New York Yankees, David Ortiz lead the greatest comeback in baseball and sports history. After hitting a walkoff home run in Game 4 and a walkoff single in Game 5, Big Papi and the Red Sox won the next two games of the series behind Ortiz’s bat. Four games later, the Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, their first since 1918, and broke “The Curse of the Bambino.”
The next 12 years of Ortiz’s career were no different. Big Papi’s long tenure with the Red Sox was filled with many accolades for himself and his team. Three World Series rings, 10 All Star games, and 541 home runs are just a few of the highlights of his career.
Perhaps the most unique part of Ortiz’s career was his final season. At the age of 40, David Ortiz had the greatest final season ever in baseball history. He broke just about every record for a man playing in his final season, including most home runs by a player in his final season. Big Papi led all of Major League Baseball in OPS and extra base hits, the American League in RBIs, and is a legitimate MVP candidate. These numbers aren’t typical for a 40 year old man playing his last season. In fact, most players numbers decline. Just look at Derek Jeter’s stats his final two seasons.
To some, his final season was a shock. Some even played the steroid card, which is ridiculous. But to Red Sox fans, this couldn’t have been much of a surprise. We’re talking about the man who single handedly won a World Series for his team in 2013 (He batted .688 against the Cardinals). The same man who conducted the greatest comeback in sports history. If any man could perform this way at this age, it would be David Ortiz. An MVP caliber season just adds to the list of incredible things accomplished by Ortiz.
Replacing David Ortiz is like trying to replace a beloved pet. It’s just not possible. Beyond his accomplishments on the field, Big Papi was a hero to the city of Boston and all Red Sox fans. He’s been the most iconic sports figure in Boston history (Yes, bigger than Brady). You just can’t replace a guy like him.
I’m sure I can speak for all Red Sox fans, and just fans of the game of baseball, when I thank David Ortiz for all of the memories and great moments. No man will ever step into the batter’s box at Fenway Park and impact the fans the way he did. He was a true hero to the city of Boston, and truly one of the all time greats.