“Stud. That’s why we call him Cooperstown. He does it every day…when he talks you listen.”
– Red Sox catcher David Ross on David Ortiz
There was a looming question regarding David Ortiz’s role in St. Louis during the 2013 World Series. As is the case for all AL teams traveling to NL parks during the World Series, how should the Red Sox handle the DH?
For the Red Sox manager, John Farrell, he had to weigh the question concerning Ortiz’s fielding and whether he should bench the big man in favor of someone like Mike Napoli. Big Papi has proven that these questions were unnecessary.
Through the first four games of this series, Ortiz is batting .727. This incredible stretch is the second highest ever in World Series history, behind Billy Hatcher of the 1990 Cincinnati Red’s, who batted .750 through all four games of the Reds sweep of Oakland.
Whether it be his two run blast in game one that put the game out of reach or him bulldozing down the 3rd base line to score on a sacrifice fly during game four, Ortiz has been instrumental as to why the Sox are tied with Cardinals at 2-2. Every run the Red Sox have scored against the Cardinals thus far (18 in total), Ortiz has been either on base or driven in 14 of them. That’s 78% of the runs scored.
Last night however, he proved that not only would he lead with his bat, but also with his voice. As one of only four holdovers from Boston’s title winning team in 2007 and the only one from the magical run in 2004, Ortiz is a leader simply through his wealth of experience. His ability to balance having fun and remaining completely focused on the task at hand is what truly makes him unique.
Before the 6th inning last night, he brought the entire team together in the dugout. Standing above the rest of the squad, Ortiz spoke about how the time was now for this Sox, and of the need to come up with a big play soon or be down 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
After the game Daniel Nava explained the importance of the comment to the entire team; “We weren’t the Red Sox. We were the Boston Ortiz’s.”
However some of his exact words were lost on some Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia joked that he couldn’t understand what he was saying at all, but the emotion and urgency was never in doubt.
The impact of these words was immediate. After two quick outs in the top of 6th from, Dustin Pedroia managed to single up the middle and Ortiz drew a walk.
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny elected to pull starter Lance Lynn in favor of youngster Seth Maness. He would need to face Johnny Gomes who was put into the lineup a mere hour before game time due to a late scratch from Shane Victorino. This move allowed Gomes to be the unlikeliest of heroes, as the baseball junkie blasted a 3 run shot to left, unleashing a barrage of pulls on his beard as he entered the dugout.
Gomes was asked after the game if Ortiz’s words had any impact on the important inning. He responded that it was as if “24 kindergarteners [were] looking up to their teacher.”
Many players have been able instruct and inspire their team to a title; Hunter Pence was credited with similar speeches for the Giants just last year. Yet, Ortiz isn’t a veteran striving for his first ring. Papi has been there twice before, and emerged victorious both times.
This incredible consistency and his intangibles are what separates him from other players in his generation. It remains to be seen whether the Red Sox will be lifting another Commissioners Trophy in a few days, but for every Red Sox player, one thing is for sure. A bust in Cooperstown is in Big Papi’s future.
