The David Ortiz Appreciation Thread

[iortiz]

The other day a friend and I were discussing whether 2013 Papi was better than 2016 Papi. It's a tough call but IMO 2013 Papi was a bit better, specially in POs. Hopefully this year he can repeats his 2013 performance in POs.

[User Name]

Oh God no. Ortiz has been the best hitter in the planet this year.

[Slasher9]

he is unbelievable.

[Sean]

I never saw 1man change the attitudes of so many millions without thermo nuclear weapons

[moonslav59]

Papi's best years:

 

OPS+

2012 173

2007 171

2016 165

2006 161

2013 159

2005 158

2011 154

2004 145

2003 144

2015 141

2014 140

 

10 of his 18 "real seasons" were over 140. 3 of those 11 have come after age 38! 6 of the 11 have come after age 35.

 

SLG%

2006 .635

2016 .634

2007 .621

 

The only year he has led the league in OPS is 2016. 1.037 is his 3rd best career OPS. His .403 OBP is his 4th time over .400.

 

wRC+ in 2016:

Trout 171

Ortiz 166

Murphy 156

Donaldson 153

Votto 153

 

Papi "must be Buttah- cause he's on a roll!"

[S5Dewey]

I know I'm being selfish, but I'm still hoping Papi has so much fun this year, his feet feel good at season's end, and he decides to come back for one more year.

 

It really would work well with giving Beni and Moncada one more year without pressure to make up for much (some) of his loss.

 

I'd love to see him back but I don't see it happening. He's had his "victory tour" and it would be difficult for him to change his mind now. As an old "friend" of ours used to say, "Everything ends and most things don't end well". IMO Papi is determined that this one end well.

[sk7326]

I think Papi's feet really do hurt him. And at some level, he'll be happy to not have to go through the maintenance he has to go through. But he has had his best season this year - and that is remarkable.

[greenwell]

I'd love to see him back but I don't see it happening. He's had his "victory tour" and it would be difficult for him to change his mind now. As an old "friend" of ours used to say, "Everything ends and most things don't end well". IMO Papi is determined that this one end well.

 

I hope he doesn't come back. I think a big part of why he's been this good is because he "knew" it was his last year. I also don't think he will be able to turn down a $25+ million offer. Whether he needs/wants the money or not it's hard for him not to consider what he could do with it, especially for someone who didn't have a lot of money growing up. It's such a great story for him to end with a season like this one.

[Kimmi]

An Atlantic great white shark first spotted off the coast of Cape Cod has been named Big Papi by the marine biology guys.

 

I'm not even kidding.

 

Haha. Good stuff! What an appropriate name for a Great White.

[Kimmi]

I think Papi's feet really do hurt him. And at some level, he'll be happy to not have to go through the maintenance he has to go through. But he has had his best season this year - and that is remarkable.

 

I want Papi to go out on top. Whether we win it all this year or not, he will be going out on top, IMO.

 

He deserves that.

[Kimmi]

I hope he doesn't come back. I think a big part of why he's been this good is because he "knew" it was his last year. I also don't think he will be able to turn down a $25+ million offer. Whether he needs/wants the money or not it's hard for him not to consider what he could do with it, especially for someone who didn't have a lot of money growing up. It's such a great story for him to end with a season like this one.

 

I read this morning that Papi will be joining the team in spring training next year as an adviser. He may take a step back for a little while after that, but I can't see him staying away too long. He will be with the team in some capacity.

[cp176]

ok - this has taken a while for me but I have to say he is now my favorite Red Sox of all time. 121 RBI's ties the "Captain's" feat of 1967. An amazing accomplishment in itself but to just keep on going as he has is remarkable. I will always remember him for being exactly who and what he is - not necessarily a celebrity - a ballplayer who cares for others and who treats people with the respect that he gets treated with. Because he doesn't want to be, his attributes make him bigger than the game of baseball. Now, once again I say, that Yaz's year in 1967 stands alone, but this guy's career and sincere sense of community means a great deal. Here's to him I say!!! A true first ballot HOFamer if there ever has been one.

[Spudboy]

David Ortiz will never replace Joy Foy in my heart.

[sk7326]

The other day a friend and I were discussing whether 2013 Papi was better than 2016 Papi. It's a tough call but IMO 2013 Papi was a bit better, specially in POs. Hopefully this year he can repeats his 2013 performance in POs.

 

Papi went 2 for 28 or something in the ALCS - granted, half of those two was amazing. 2016 Papi has been better all season. Playoffs are obviously a book to be written.

[cp176]

David Ortiz will never replace Joy Foy in my heart.

 

Hey - Joe Foy, Rico, Andrews , the boomer, Yaz, Reggie, Tony C., tartabull and the hawk- as for the catching staff - oh baby

[Wade Boggs]

He is the BEST CLUTCH hitter I've seen in a Red Sox uniform. His hands are so quick it's almost hard to believe. David will be missed. We all will feel it next April.

 

Best Boston Players.. That I've seen play.

 

Tom Brady

David Ortiz

Larry Bird

Patrice Bergeron

 

 

HOF Legends.

[cp176]

John Hanna

Ted Williams

Bill Russell

Bobby Orr

[Wade Boggs]

Wasn't born , or was to young to understand JH.

[cp176]

I can't be that old -lol

[Kingface]

John Hanna

Ted Williams

Bill Russell

Bobby Orr

 

Completely understand your choices........even though I take the 3 time champ over Ted (but can fully understand and respect why others would take Ted), but seriously......John Hannah Over Brady?????? An offensive lineman over the best QB of all time? Hannah was insanely good and very under appreciated in Pats history because of the teams he played on......but there is ZERO way he is the best player in the teams history.

[cp176]

John Hanna

Ted Williams

Bill Russell

Bobby Orr

 

These are the ones that I actually saw play. I have not actually seen Brady play. Thought he meant live.

[moonslav59]

Here's something amazing about Papi's 2016 season:

 

Most XBHs in a season

 

91 (2004)

88 (2005)

88 (2007)

86 (2016) Counting the HR and 2B tonight

85 (2006)

 

It's possible he breaks his personal best this year. Having his second best XBH season is likely.

 

[oldtimer]

Here's something amazing about Papi's 2016 season:

 

Most XBHs in a season

 

91 (2004)

88 (2005)

88 (2007)

86 (2016) Counting the HR and 2B tonight

85 (2006)

 

It's possible he breaks his personal best this year. Having his second best XBH season is likely.

 

 

He is having an incredible year, period!

[SinceYaz]

One more time, Big Papi makes the difference! His big fly yesterday was the difference, thanks to excellent pitching!

[soxfan67]

....and again today.

 

God I love this man!

 

FYI....some of you may remember me from BDC and my epic (annoying) confrontations with Jackbu and Bill-806. My favorite thread was Moonslavs unending Big Papi thread. That was legendary.

Just thought I'd pop-in and say hello.

 

A few months ago I bought a pair of David Ortiz game worn pants..... I'm running out of games to get them signed, my ultimate goal.

Hope you're all well! Nice to see many of you still posting.

 

Soxfan67 aka soxchamps2013

[Kimmi]

....and again today.

 

God I love this man!

 

FYI....some of you may remember me from BDC and my epic (annoying) confrontations with Jackbu and Bill-806. My favorite thread was Moonslavs unending Big Papi thread. That was legendary.

Just thought I'd pop-in and say hello.

 

A few months ago I bought a pair of David Ortiz game worn pants..... I'm running out of games to get them signed, my ultimate goal.

Hope you're all well! Nice to see many of you still posting.

 

Soxfan67 aka soxchamps2013

 

Good to see you. You should stick around.

 

Papi asked the Rays not to honor him today in a pre-game ceremony out of respect for Jose Fernandez.

 

Class act on and off the field.

[oldtimer]

Good to see you. You should stick around.

 

Papi asked the Rays not to honor him today in a pre-game ceremony out of respect for Jose Fernandez.

 

Class act on and off the field.

 

Did anyone else notice the really nasty piece in the NY Daily News throwing cold water on honoring David Ortiz at Yankee Stadium. Essentially it said Jeter and Rivera were worthy of being honored but Ortiz was not. Pointing out his bat flips and slow home run trots and claiming he is an admitted steroid user. Apparently forgetting there was some substance in some medication he took but he was not a steroid user like their A-Rod. All these tested years he has continued to produce numbers and he has been one of the most tested guys in the league.

 

Very ungracious of the NY Daily News and their sports writer. I suppose it is typical of Yankee fans but I hope not.

[Kimmi]

Did anyone else notice the really nasty piece in the NY Daily News throwing cold water on honoring David Ortiz at Yankee Stadium. Essentially it said Jeter and Rivera were worthy of being honored but Ortiz was not. Pointing out his bat flips and slow home run trots and claiming he is an admitted steroid user. Apparently forgetting there was some substance in some medication he took but he was not a steroid user like their A-Rod. All these tested years he has continued to produce numbers and he has been one of the most tested guys in the league.

 

Very ungracious of the NY Daily News and their sports writer. I suppose it is typical of Yankee fans but I hope not.

 

I had not seen this piece. Shame on this writer for writing it.

 

My first instinct is to say 'typical Yankee fan', but I'd like to think most Yankees fans are good enough baseball fans to give credit where credit is due. I think most of them feel that Ortiz is definitely worthy of being honored.

[Spudboy]

The New York Daily News is tabloid rag.

 

It is good for washing windows and soaking up spills in the garage and little else.

[a700hitter]

The New York Daily News is tabloid rag.

 

It is good for washing windows and soaking up spills in the garage and little else.

I grew up with the NY Daily News, but ithas been nothing more than a tabloid rag for more than 20 years.