David “Big Papi” Ortiz, arguably the greatest designated hitter in MLB history, is hanging up the cleats at the end of the 2016 season. 2016 will mark his 20th season, but he didn’t become “Papi” until his seventh year, and first with the Red Sox. Since then, Ortiz has been one of the greatest athletes in Boston history, and given Sox fans countless memories.
Here are five of the best Big Papi moments ever, but they are by no means all of them.
5. Wins 2013 World Series MVP
Three years ago Ortiz delivered an iconic World Series performance against the Cardinals, slashing .668/.760/1.188 with two home runs, six RBI and a ridiculous eight walks. Big Papi either walked or got a hit in 19 of 25 plate appearances, and to this day is the single greatest stretch of play in a postseason series ever. That includes the extended runs of Carlos Beltran (Astros, 2014) and Daniel Murphy (Mets, 2015).
Ortiz was already a legend, but this stretch turned him into a baseball god.
4. Home Run In Game 7 Of The 2004 ALCS
With the Yankees reeling from three straight losses, Ortiz delivered a punishing blow early in Game 7, smacking a tone-setting two-run homer off of Kevin Brown. The Red Sox went on to trounce the Yankees in Game 7 on the way to their first World Series in 86 years.
3. This Is Our F**king City
Just days after two men bombed the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring nearly 300, the Red Sox took the field, but not before Big Papi delivered one of the greatest athlete speeches in history. He told the Fenway Park fans “This is our f**king city,” and promised no one, not even terrorists wielding bombs and guns, would be able to dictate how they live.
This was the epitome of Ortiz’s reign as one of Boston’s greatest stars, full of bravado and drama.
2. Walk-Off Single In Game 5 Of 2004 ALCS
Ortiz started making Yankees fans nervous in Game 5 when he sent the series, which the Yanks had led 3-0, back to New York with a walk-off single against reliever Esteban Loaiza. Ortiz has socked a home run earlier in the game that helped set up that moment as well, and this entire season is the most important part of his Boston legacy.
Honorable Mentions
1. Walk-Off Home Run In Game 4 Of 2004 ALCS
The Yankees, up 3-0 in the series and having just scored 19 runs off Boston pitching, engaged in a five-plus hour ordeal in Game 4, only for Papi to plant the seed of the most monumental comeback in baseball history. The Red Sox were the only team in baseball history to come back from a 3-0 series deficit, and to this day remain the only club to accomplish that feat. It would not have been possible if not for Ortiz’s big homer.
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