Papi's Up: Mr. Clutch, David Ortiz
By Josh Q. Public
Is there anything more exciting than a David Ortiz at bat. He's the Jack Bauer of baseball. Getting it done in heroic fashion. In Monday's NY Post, one unnamed AL manager had this to say: "The voters got it wrong. I would do almost anything to avoid facing Ortiz late in a close game...What is more valuable than that?" You can say that again. What is more valuable than that? There. I did it for you. Monday night. Mike Myers on the mound. Bought, just to get Papi out. Game on the line. Was there any question Ortiz was going yard? When I'm watching the game, and I see Big 'Ol Papi lumbering to the plate, I yell, to anyone who's in earshot, Papi's up! That's my mantra. Believe me, he does not disappoint.
We don't have to say what he did in '04 in big time at bats. Lets look at last year, Ortiz hit .352 with runners in scoring position. .368 with men in scoring position and 2 out. .346 in close and late situations with 11 home runs. Compare that to, hmmm, I dunno, Gay-Rod? .290 .302 .293 and 4 dings. Who do you want up when it matters most? The other night against Baltimore. 6th inning, game on the line. Papi's up! Base clearing double deep to right. Another Red Sox victory. So tell your Ma, tell your Pa, Papi's Up!
Side note: On the Jack Bauer reference. Anyone whoever says they hate 24 hasn't watched it. Just give them a box set of any season, but with only one disc. They'll be hounding you like a crack fiend for the others.
Sox-Yankees again tonight with Sox in 1st place. Last night was just embarassing for NY.
Take your shoes off. Put your feet up. And be a Sox watcher!
