September 22, 2006
When Big Papi Swings
By Karlsie
Ortiz did it. He broke Foxx's record and he did it in style.
There are sports writers in Boston who think that such things should only count if the team is having a stellar year. I disagree. We needed Big Papi's big swing this year more than ever. It is a bright spot in a rather gray year overall for the Sox and for Major League Baseball.
What David Ortiz accomplished this year is truly amazing. He did it without unknowingly consuming illegal substances from BALCO. He did it in spite of watching teammate after teammate fall to injury and disease. He did it without complaint even knowing that the odds of making it to the post season are slim to none right now. He went out and did what it is he does and for someone like me, that's the way it should be because that's what baseball truly about.
So as the leaves fall from the trees and the cold winds blow, I have a warm spot that will glow all the way until mid-February - to the day pitchers and catchers report in and I eagerly await the glow of summer to take over once again.
I dont know if he did it altogether without a complaint. Remember what he said about Jeter? That sounded a little whiny. In a way, he even dissed his lineup. He said that Jeter should come and hit in the Sawx lineup and see how he does. I dont know, if Jeter had Ortiz AND Manny hitting behind him, Jeter would still have a pretty good year inspite of them. Kidding of course. Ortiz is having another great year and all his homers count, but he shouldnt win the MVP. I think its Jeter's to lose.
As for you KNOWING that he definitely is not using any sort of "enhancers", noone knows that. Howard could be using it, Giambi is probably back on it, noone is beyond reproach. Unfortunately, this is the way things are now.
Wow,
You've been waiting two, maybe three weeks just to complain about Ortiz's comments, haven't you?
Old news.
Cheers,
Jack Jablin
I know it's early for this, but since Manny has asked to be traded (again) this offseason:
Would the Sox/Yankees swap Manny for A-Rod?
They are both great players, who come with mental baggage. The hope for both clubs would be that the fit would suit each player better.
The downside is huge- If either player doesn't please their respective new fans, they would be treated mercilessly.
I dont think I would want Manny for A-Rod. I would really like to keep trotting Melky out there. He has improved the OF defense immensely and I dont think we would need ANOTHER personality like his. We already have to deal with Sheff, who I think is slightly schizo. Manny is a great hitter, no doubt about it, but I wouldnt want him. As for A-Rod, hes coming out of his slump and it was overblown as it was. He'll be just fine. He won MVP last year because he is SUCH a well-rounded player. We cant get rid of him.
No JJ. I really havent been dying to post Ortiz' comments. It just seemed like Ortiz was about to be fitted with a halo by the end of the article. I just pointed out that he did complain.
Oh, well thank god you left out his apology; otherwise you would just sound vindictive.
Cheers
Oh man JJ. Yeah he apologized, just like A-Rod has in the past for some of his stupid comments, but he still meant them. I have nothing to be vindictive about. He's out of the playoffs and we're not. If Jeter was my brother, maybe I would be.
Excelsior
Whatever you say, buddy.
Cheers
I don't think Ortiz actually apologized. But why should he, if that's how he feels. I understand that the DH position has been around longer than Ortiz, but that doesn't mean it is an MVP position. Ortiz should win the Hank Aaron slugger award, that's what he is. If he were the best overall hitter in the game, it would still be fifty percent overall.
Its true, to an extent. I really done feel that Ortiz should have won it either. If youre a DH you can win it, but your stats in my opinion should dwarf the next guys. Especially if the next guy does other things besides hit well. A-Rod played really good "D" last year and he stole bases. Ortiz' stats didnt dwarf A-Rods.
Ortiz is only taking back his comments because he thinks that itll take away votes from him for MVP. I dont know why else he would say he didnt mean it. He meant it and thats fine. Its not like he would be the only person to say that a guy that hits 40-plus HR's and drives in over 100 runs should win it over a guy that may not even reach 15 HR's.
BML,
Ortiz can win all the "hitters" awards that are available. But any award that measures complete players has Ortiz coming up short. He could be the most valuable hitter, but there is so much more that other players do. I think it is possible for a DH to win MVP, but it would be an aberration, the same as it would be for a pitcher ( who at least fields his position ).
I agree. DH's can win it as an aberration. They would have to blow away the competition. Especially for a starting pitcher. If J. Santana were to to have the best season ever (he wins every single start), he would still only win about 35 games. I could see a closer winning it before a starter.
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