David Ortiz is God
July 31, 2006
He did it again.How many times has the sports world said those four words about David Ortiz the last two-plus years?
With the Red Sox trailing 8-6 in the bottom of the 9th against the Cleveland Indians tonight, one out against them, "Big Papi" came to the plate and launched a bomb to straight-away centerfield (not an easy feat in Fenway Park) to give the Sawks a 9-8 victory.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: David Ortiz is THE GREATEST clutch hitter I've ever seen. With the exception of maybe Derek Jeter (and I say that hesitantly), I can't think of anyone I'd want to have step up to the plate with a playoff series on the line. Which reminds me of a maddening discussion I heard Saturday night on ESPN Radio between the "Gamenight" hosts, Amy Lawrence (a former local sports-radio personality in these parts) and Steve Some Guy (sorry, don't know his name).
The debate was that if you were facing the Red Sox in Game 7 of the World Series with a one-run lead in the 9th, first base open, would you walk David Ortiz to get to Manny Ramirez? Would you face Big Papi and take your chances instead of giving Manny a chance to win the game? As a Red Sox fan who watches the team night in/night out, I'd walk Ortiz and face Manny. Why? Because Ramirez is as big a choker in game-deciding situations as any "superstar" hitter I've ever seen. Ms. Lawrence, showing why her contract did not get renewed by the local station, argued that she'd pitch to Ortiz because Manny is a "better overall hitter" for his career, and is a better "clutch hitter"! What the fuck is she talking about?! Apparently, her bra must have been on too tight. I can't recall the last time Manny won a game for Boston with defeat staring them square in the face. Obviously, Amy didn't bother to look into the earlier highlights from Saturday's game because the Angels opted to walk Ortiz to get to Manny with the game tied in the bottom of the 9th and runners in scoring position. As has usually been the case, Boston $20 million dollar man ground out into a double play.
I rest my case. It's women like you, Amy, who give female sports broadcasters a bad rap.
Oh, not to be ignored, the trading deadline passed, and my Red Sox did ZERO to improve the team. So basically, what Theo Epstein is telling Red Sox Nation is the season's success hangs in the balance on the creeky knee of 43-year-old butterball David Wells and the right arm of the mentally-weak (and still injured) Matt Clement? Ugh.
If only Superman could pitch, too.
posted by That 30's Guy @ 10:50 PM,
