The David Ortiz Retirement Discussion Thread

[devildavid]

I think Papi is not ever coming back under any circumstances. I think he's gotten to the point where the physical and mental grind is greater than the fun he gets from playing. He has had the heel problem for a while and runs gingerly at times. I think he figured it was time to walk away from the game while he can literally do it relatively pain-free.

[Youk Of The Nation]

I think Papi is not ever coming back under any circumstances. I think he's gotten to the point where the physical and mental grind is greater than the fun he gets from playing. He has had the heel problem for a while and runs gingerly at times. I think he figured it was time to walk away from the game while he can literally do it relatively pain-free.

 

In all seriousness, I agree. As much as I joke about wanting him to come out of retirement to surprise the Yankees' rotation, this is the key issue. Papi seems like the kind of guy who would rather go out on top, with what he knows might be the last season where he can produce at a DH level. I don't think he'd particularly like his last season ending up like the last seasons of so many of the greats. 10HR, .230 average, only 100 games, et cetera.

[mvp 78]

I think Papi is not ever coming back under any circumstances. I think he's gotten to the point where the physical and mental grind is greater than the fun he gets from playing. He has had the heel problem for a while and runs gingerly at times. I think he figured it was time to walk away from the game while he can literally do it relatively pain-free.

 

I hope he goes out on his own terms. Most players don't have that chance.

[cp176]

To me, as happy and as contented as he has looked in the past, he looks more so now. He has an absolutely adoring fan base none of whom are going to turn their backs on him if he slumps. The stars seem to be in perfect alignment for him. If retiring is what he wants, then he deserves the send off that a player/person like him should get. I would add though that if he continues doing what he is currently doing with no major slow downs, DD will sit down with him just to see if there is any chance!

[S5Dewey]

There's a lot to be said for retiring a year too early rather than a year too late.

[SinceYaz]

There's a lot to be said for retiring a year too early rather than a year too late.

 

True. I am among many who wonder what Musial's added years would have been like, but he left on his terms and left us wanting more. Papi looks like he's gonna leave us wanting more.

[SinceYaz]

In all seriousness, I agree. As much as I joke about wanting him to come out of retirement to surprise the Yankees' rotation, this is the key issue. Papi seems like the kind of guy who would rather go out on top, with what he knows might be the last season where he can produce at a DH level. I don't think he'd particularly like his last season ending up like the last seasons of so many of the greats. 10HR, .230 average, only 100 games, et cetera.

 

Very much agree. The couple seasons he was bothered by hand injuries had a surprising number of our fans calling for his neck.

[Kingface]

Agreed. I always think about Babe Ruth and Mays in terms of hanging on for 1-2 seasons too long. We want the greats to last forever......but father time can make things borderline sad.....

[Youk Of The Nation]

When I think about how the great ones sometimes hang on a little too long, the first thing I think of is Mays' last two seasons when he was with the Mets.

[Kingface]

The guy who always comes to mind retiring at the top of his game was the great Barry Sanders.........obviously a completely different sport.......but man.....he was the epitome of a great athlete.

 

For some reason baseball seems to be the sport where people hang on a bit too long. I know baseball has more nostalgia and 'mystique' than any other sport.......but I hate seeing players get too caught up in it, causing the game to go by them, yet still trying to play.

[a700hitter]

When I think about how the great ones sometimes hang on a little too long, the first thing I think of is Mays' last two seasons when he was with the Mets.

There is no way that you are old enough to remember that. My voice was just starting to crack when Mays was with the Mets. BTW, my recollection was that he got traded to the Mets when the Giants were visiting NY and Mays hit a Walk Off Homer Run in his first game for the Mets and the crowd went wild. That was 44 years ago and I watched it on a 19" B&W TV.

[Kimmi]

Papi promised a young fan that he would hit a HR for him last night.

 

If you haven't seen this video, this is way cool. Especially the little boy's response.

 

http://www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/ortizs-winning-hr-fulfills-his-promise-young-fan

[Youk Of The Nation]

There is no way that you are old enough to remember that. My voice was just starting to crack when Mays was with the Mets. BTW, my recollection was that he got traded to the Mets when the Giants were visiting NY and Mays hit a Walk Off Homer Run in his first game for the Mets and the crowd went wild. That was 44 years ago and I watched it on a 19" B&W TV.

 

No, I wasn't even alive when that happened. Hell, my parents were barely old enough to have clear memories of those years. His last year was 1973 and that would have made my dad 9 or 10 and my mom 5 or 6.

[SinceYaz]

Papi promised a young fan that he would hit a HR for him last night.

 

If you haven't seen this video, this is way cool. Especially the little boy's response.

 

http://www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/ortizs-winning-hr-fulfills-his-promise-young-fan

 

 

That is way cool!

[SinceYaz]

No, I wasn't even alive when that happened. Hell, my parents were barely old enough to have clear memories of those years. His last year was 1973 and that would have made my dad 9 or 10 and my mom 5 or 6.

 

 

Your dad n mom started youuuung! ) Reminds me of Charro (María del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza) .... she kept changing her age. When someone did the math, it meant she got married the first time at the age of 6. to Xavier Cugat.

[Kingface]

No, I wasn't even alive when that happened. Hell, my parents were barely old enough to have clear memories of those years. His last year was 1973 and that would have made my dad 9 or 10 and my mom 5 or 6.

 

.........wait......you're in your 20's?????

[Youk Of The Nation]

.........wait......you're in your 20's?????

 

I'm turning 29 this year. My mother is turning 48 this year. I was born a few months before her 19th birthday. Hey, it was the 80's.

[cp176]

Papi promised a young fan that he would hit a HR for him last night.

 

If you haven't seen this video, this is way cool. Especially the little boy's response.

 

http://www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/ortizs-winning-hr-fulfills-his-promise-young-fan

 

 

When Ortiz hugged the kids, I really didn't understand what was going on. Now I do. I know that he will but I really hate to see this personality retire. I have seen them all play really since the late 50's - just for the record age is a relative concept and I know that I am actually younger than most of the people who post here regardless of what they think- Ortiz moves to the top of my list. If you watch this short series of videos and do not have to dry the tears from your face after, you might not be actually alive. Papi's legacy has already been written in New England. He just keeps adding to the story. All the best to Maverick - it really is all about the kids. Nice when someone as genuine as David Ortiz just sort of comes along.

[Kingface]

i'm turning 29 this year. My mother is turning 48 this year. I was born a few months before her 19th birthday. hey, it was the 80's.

 

haha!!!!!!

[mvp 78]

I'm turning 29 this year. My mother is turning 48 this year. I was born a few months before her 19th birthday. Hey, it was the 80's.

 

That's nothing. Last year, my uncle became a great grandfather at 61.

[S5Dewey]

That's nothing. Last year, my uncle became a great grandfather at 61.

Wow. Your family's a fertile bunch!

[S5Dewey]

haha!!!!!!

 

Good Lord. I had teenagers of my own in the 80's! Now you're making me feel OLD.

[Kimmi]

When Ortiz hugged the kids, I really didn't understand what was going on. Now I do. I know that he will but I really hate to see this personality retire. I have seen them all play really since the late 50's - just for the record age is a relative concept and I know that I am actually younger than most of the people who post here regardless of what they think- Ortiz moves to the top of my list. If you watch this short series of videos and do not have to dry the tears from your face after, you might not be actually alive. Papi's legacy has already been written in New England. He just keeps adding to the story. All the best to Maverick - it really is all about the kids. Nice when someone as genuine as David Ortiz just sort of comes along.

 

Ortiz hugging those kids was awesome. That is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

 

I love to hear about players doing something for the kids or for the community in general. Warms my heart.

[SoxnCycles]

That's nothing. Last year, my uncle became a great grandfather at 61.

 

Rookies.

I've got 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

I'm 57.

[Kimmi]

Rookies.

I've got 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

I'm 57.

 

 

That's awesome Cycles.

[mvp 78]

Rookies.

I've got 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

I'm 57.

 

I probably won't have any grandkids by 57.

[devildavid]

After last night's game Jerry Remy echoed what I said about Ortiz retiring. Even though we would all love to be baseball stars, there comes a point when even a great star like Ortiz knows it is time to hang 'em up and move on. On Friday I went to a retirement party for a co-worker and she used one simple line to explain her decision to retire: "I'm tired". But she is a very active, athletic, fun-loving person who I'm sure could have worked for many more years. You just get to that point in life when it's time for a new chapter.

[a700hitter]

After last night's game Jerry Remy echoed what I said about Ortiz retiring. Even though we would all love to be baseball stars, there comes a point when even a great star like Ortiz knows it is time to hang 'em up and move on. On Friday I went to a retirement party for a co-worker and she used one simple line to explain her decision to retire: "I'm tired". But she is a very active, athletic, fun-loving person who I'm sure could have worked for many more years. You just get to that point in life when it's time for a new chapter.

And for a major league player, they have to do a tremendous amount of physical drudgery to stay ready to play.

[SinceYaz]

Rookies.

I've got 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

I'm 57.

 

My two sons have not had any kids ... and I'm 60. They both want to wait til they grow up.

[a700hitter]

I have 7 Great Nephews and 3 Great Nieces, but no grand children yet.