David Américo Ortiz Arias, better known as David Ortiz to you and me, is not just a ballplayer for the Boston Red Sox. As the all-time leader in MLB history in home runs, RBI’s and hits by a designated hitter, he is perhaps the greatest DH of all-time. In a career spanning nearly 20 years, this week marks Ortiz final week of regular season play. So we thought it an apt time to take a look at those moments that showed the world what makes him “Big Papi.”
1. The Speech
Every so often the sports world serves as a means to heal people and communities from tragic events in the real world. On April 20, 2013 just five days after the bombing at the Boston Marathon occurred the city was in mourning. Before the Red Sox would take the field for its first home game since the tragedy, Ortiz would give a speech that transcends sports.
“All right, Boston…This jersey that we wear today, it doesn’t say ‘Red Sox.’ It say[s] ‘Boston.’… This is our fucking city, and nobody’s going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong. Thank you.”
At this moment, Ortiz served not just as father figure for the team, but the city of Boston. It was as if your papi was telling you – yes you’ve fallen down, yes your hurt, but yes you will get up and you will move on.