Death of the Big Papi Era

Ortiz may be down, but his legend will never die. (Zac Trainor Illustration)

Before Big Papi came over to the Boston Red Sox in 2003 he was known as David Ortiz to the world. Just another of many ballplayers living a dream and chasing a break, hoping to escape out of the ordinary and the box score. Thankfully mediocracy was not to be a part of David Ortiz and his destiny, as he rose above a cast of contenders (Jeremy Giambi, Shea Hillenbrand, Kevin Millar, & David McCarty) to win the Red Sox DH job with his consistency and seemingly timely hitting game after game.Then in the holy year of 2004, David Ortiz forever cemented the name of Big Papi into the minds, hearts, and deep rooted lore of New England and its citizens. Placing his name on a mythical level in tune with Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and  John F. Kennedy. Simply put, the man had become a God.

Big Papi has been viewed by many as a modern day Babe Ruth ever since, and with his personality, girth, and winning ways he’s won the hearts of the baseball world. No player has been a better ambassador to the game of baseball then Ortiz. His Cheshire Cat grin has become a staple at ballparks throughout the country and is as common as a summer breeze on an August day. Papi has a cool which is intoxicating and the draw to him feels galactic as writers, fans, and players alike become drunk on his presence.

However these days the grin doesn’t seem as wide and the drink not as sweet. Papi is entrenched in something worse then a slump in what may very well be the beginning of the end of the Big Papi Era in Boston. So lets assume this worse case scenario, that Big Papi is finished. As a Red Sox fan you have to give Papi some leniency before you completely throw him under the bus here. This is not the same as say a Julio Lugo, this is a God we’re talking about, and when they fall down it’s hard for all to watch. I remember seeing Larry Bird hobbling up and down the court in the 1992 playoffs, then lying down on the ground when on the bench. A mountain reduced to rubble. Heart wrenching memories for me as I saw a hero of mine become mortal, and that may very well be what’s happening with Papi now.

Last year can be chalked up to Ortiz having an off-year due to injury I guess, however what about this year? Are 93 at-bats not enough of a sample set? Does he really not have ONE homerun yet? I mean, he has the hottest hitter in baseball with Kevin Youkilis batting right behind him, so for once we can’t even blame Manny on this one. David Ortiz looks like he’s swinging his bat under water. It’s slow and uninspired. It honestly reminds me of watching Jason Varitek bat last year, not pretty, and sad to see. The difference here is that Varitek has more dimensions he brings to the table with his defense, game calling, and the grooming of young Sox pitchers. When you’re a DH and not hitting that’s a much bigger problem, and whole lot harder to hide. So the question remains, why isn’t Papi hitting?

I hate to say this, and I don’t believe it to be true, but you have to at least ask the steroid question with Papi. Unfortunately Papi being Dominican here does not help his case, as about 50% of all positive tests have come from the island. This is the ugly that the steroid era presents us now. I as a fan have the right to be suspicious because I was cheated for so long by the players, owners, management, and yes ever you baseball writers. The simple fact here is that Ortiz put up his biggest numbers during the steroid era, and if all of a sudden afterwards he’s getting injured and hitting near the mendoza line you have to at least raise an eye-brow.

Some peoples biggest defense here is that he hit 54 homeruns (a Red Sox record) in 2006. But seriously people, you don’t think people were using roids in 2006? Baseball players and performance enhancing drugs are like people who download music and movies for free off the internet, they’ll evolve with the tests and regulations, and find ways to do it. Do I honestly think Papi used steroids? No. I liken his fall off with someone like Jim Rice, who had a decade of dominance, and then dropped off the shelf, and dropped off fast. Also, it’s not like Papi’s a spring chicken or anything anymore (34 years old), and he isn’t exactly a beacon of good health. 2006 will be looked back as the apex of his career stat wise, and it’s not a secret that the older you get, the slower you become, and the more prone to injury you are. It’s just sad to see.

We’ll still have moments where he’ll come through in clutch moments, and Papi will ht homeruns again rest assured there (Hello Yankees Stadium jet-stream). You’re just not going to see him have 130+ RBI seasons with 40+ HR’s for those days are gone with the Cowboys and Idiots. The Red Sox have Papi through next year, with an option for 2011 and I’m saying it now, his option will not be picked up. He’s a one trick pony, always has been, and if he can’t hit the numbers the Sox need from the DH position, he’ll be out and DH-ing for someone like the Tigers in his twilight.

Like I said, it’s sad to see, but I’ll never, EVER forget Big Papi and what he’s meant to the Boston Red Sox, and to us fans. I still hope for some more good moments with him to come too, and we have a great team despite his struggles. I just have to be realistic with myself here because it's starting to  look like Big Papi may just be David Ortiz again, which in the end isn't too bad, and in due time, he'll be nothing but Big Papi around Boston, he's done too much, and has earned the tile.

Big Papi is Dead. Long Live Big Papi.

Comments

[Erik]

HGH.

[John Landry]

At least Jason Bay is a beast...

[NY sawx fan]

No Steriods = No Homers. But you didn't need me to point that out. Still have a place in my heart for the guy though.

[Erik]

Just be thankful that no real PROOF has been brought to light, like all the real "un-biased" evidence that surfaced about the many Yankees players involved. I'm sure just as many Sox players were doing it, you guys were just fortunate to not have anything brought to light about any player of substance. In terms of "papito" all one has to do is look at his numbers between Minnesota and NY. Game over. Guy went from being a nobody to being a superstar virtually over night. I also heard alot of people complain about Giambi hitting two hr's agains Pedro in the 2003 alcs... well without Ortiz you guys dont win any WS, so... i think thats a fair trade. haha

is there a slight possibility he wasn't on the sauce? Sure. Even as a Sox hater I have to admit that, but lets face it... numbers dont lie... and coincidence is for ignoramuses.
I will say one thing though... regardless of clean/unclean... Ortiz was one hell of a clutch ball player.

Cant wait for Aroid to get back.

[Big Jayy]

0-7...this guy is a BUM