Through 19 seasons, over 3,000 games and just as many amazing plays, David Ortiz or “Big Papi” has won the hearts of Red Sox fans everywhere. Papi will go down in Boston history as not just a legend, but an icon. He has been a staple for the Sox as a team, a three time World Series Champion, a 10 time All Star player, and a hitter of 541 career homeruns to name just a few of his countless accomplishments. Papi has proven time and time again that he can lead the team to victory, as well as continually impress the fans. While it is not clear whether or not the Sox will advance in the series for 2016, it is certain that Papi has gone above and beyond for his team and his city.
One of Papi’s most notable achievements is how he lead the Red Sox to break the Curse of the Bambino. The Sox came back to win four games after losing three in a seven game series against the Yankees. Fans will remember Ortiz’s walk-off homerun in the fourth game, ensuring the team would win and giving their fans some hope that all was not lost. “That hit,” Ortiz says, “it put me on the map,” and indeed it did. The Sox went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 in the World Series, breaking an 86 year “curse.” The Sox, with Papi as their leader, went on in later seasons to win the 2007 series against the Colorado Rockies and the 2013 series against the Cardinals for a second time, a series where Papi was also named MVP.
Papi not only performs on the field, but for the children of New England and the Dominican Republic as well. The David Ortiz Children’s Fund was established to provide children access to the critical pediatric care they may not have otherwise had access to. This is done through the partnering of Mass General Hospital and CEDIMAT Hospital of the Dominican Republic. The foundation has raised more than 2 million dollars for children in need and has saved more than 500 lives in the Dominican Republic. Papi also released his own charity wine label, proceeds of which go to his children’s fund. The line is called “Vintage Papi” and has raised $150,000 to date.
Papi is one of the most lovable players in the game and is a huge proponent of Boston as a city. At the first game at Fenway Park after the Boston Marathon bombing, he made a speech that will go down in history as one of his most important statements. Amongst other important points, Ortiz said “this is our f**king city, they can’t dictate our freedom. Stay strong.” Boston needed to hear these words in such a desperate time, and Papi was the ideal voice to deliver them. He is also a man who cares deeply about his family. You may notice when he crosses the plate after a homerun that he points his index fingers at the sky. At age 46, his mother passed away in a fatal car accident. Pointing up at the sky is his way of “thanking God, and her” according to Ortiz. Papi has three children, and a wife of 13 years, Tiffany.
All in all, us Boston fans absolutely love Papi and are extremely sad to see him go. He is a true hero in Boston, on the field and off of it as well. We’re going to miss sitting down with family and friends during the week and watching him work his magic. We wish him all the best in retirement, may #34 go down in history as one of the best all around players that ever was. Long live Big Papi.