David Ortiz will retire at end of 2016 season.

RetractableRoof

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Today ORTIZ did this pre-game





During the game he did this

“@alexspeier: 24 HRs for Ortiz, tied for 9th most ever by a player in his 40s. 59 XBH, 2nd most ever by a player in his 40s.”
Pretty cool that he got it stuck there. I might be mistaken, but I thought during the broadcast they said he did it during BP.
 

redsox3g2

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This isn't a profound break down of his season or anything but am I the only one starting to get sad watching him? It's a very pessimistic way to look at it I guess but as the season keeps progressing, regardless of how fun it is, I can't help but think how limited his time left on the team is. Here's to hoping for a long playoff run to send him off the right way.
 

Wayapman

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This isn't a profound break down of his season or anything but am I the only one starting to get sad watching him? It's a very pessimistic way to look at it I guess but as the season keeps progressing, regardless of how fun it is, I can't help but think how limited his time left on the team is. Here's to hoping for a long playoff run to send him off the right way.
I know exactly what you mean. I met my wife in 2006, and she came aboard as a Red Sox fan, but she never really understood why I loved Ortiz so much because she didn't experience 2004. As a Red Sox fan in Las Vegas, this is especially painful. For my birthday the wife got us tickets to see the Sox play in SF. Alas, I only got to see a Papi ph. As it was in an NL park.

In another couple of weeks I may get to see the Sox v Dodgers but again Papi will probably not play. I've had the joy of seeing my favorite hitter hit home runs in person in the divisional series and the world series and for that I count myself lucky. But I can't help feeling like I need to see him hit one more homerun and give him one more standing ovation, before he walks off into the sunset with his right arm outstretched and his finger in the air.

The Papi farewell tour is so bittersweet, I hope those of you who live in Boston and get to Fenway somewhat frequently enjoy every moment.
 

snowmanny

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As far as I can tell:
*He is on pace to get 103XBH
*His personal best is 91 in 2004
*The Red Sox record is 92 by Jimmie Foxx in 1938
*103 would tie him for sixth all-time
 

CoRP

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He's almost on track to be MLB's first 60/40 man. Current pace is appx 59 doubles and 41 HRs. Also on pace for 137 RBI. Crazy.
 

brandonchristensen

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Was it 2011 with the slow start and everyone was thankful for his time here but were convinced they were watching the decline?

Pretty hilarious in hindsight.

What he has done and continues to do borders on improbable and insane.
 

Jim Ed Rice in HOF

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He's going to have a few extra days off save for PH duties with 6 games against the Dodgers/Padres and depending on the standings in September he may get some additional days off. Hitting a couple of the above numbers will be tough.
 

Al Zarilla

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This isn't a profound break down of his season or anything but am I the only one starting to get sad watching him? It's a very pessimistic way to look at it I guess but as the season keeps progressing, regardless of how fun it is, I can't help but think how limited his time left on the team is. Here's to hoping for a long playoff run to send him off the right way.
Some sadness about Papi's last rodeo, like you say, but the Boston player I felt the most sadness, even depressed about toward the end was Larry Bird. Maybe when he was 31 or 32, watching him on Sundays, and I didn't see him much more than that living in CA, plus playoffs, I thought when am I going to see another Celtics player this all around good/great. Never.

I'm getting gigantic enjoyment out of the kids as well as Papi this year. Maybe that takes some of sting out.
 

tims4wins

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He's going to have a few extra days off save for PH duties with 6 games against the Dodgers/Padres and depending on the standings in September he may get some additional days off. Hitting a couple of the above numbers will be tough.
Given his feet, is he expected to start any of the NL stadium games??
 

TFisNEXT

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Was it 2011 with the slow start and everyone was thankful for his time here but were convinced they were watching the decline?

Pretty hilarious in hindsight.

What he has done and continues to do borders on improbable and insane.
2009 was his slow start. Never totally recovered from it. His wrist was probably not 100% healthy in 2009.

2010 he also started really slow and that was when the writers like Buster Olney were saying the Red Sox might release him (I don't believe there was ever any verification of said rumors). Shortly after though, he caught fire in May 2010 and really has not looked back. Hard to believe back then we were worrying about a 34 year old slugger declining and since that time he has raked for 6 more seasons and gave us another epic playoff performance and championship along the way. Hopefully this year makes one more.
 

joe dokes

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My guess would be no. Perhaps in Sept. when they're in San Diego if they felt there was a need depending on where they are in the standings at the time, but they should be able to put enough offense on the field to beat The Padres.
I think this is right. Only if absolutely necessary. One LAD and one SD game are followed by a day off. I would think that those are the only two possibilities of Ortiz playing 1B, slim as they are.
 

nvalvo

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My guess would be no. Perhaps in Sept. when they're in San Diego if they felt there was a need depending on where they are in the standings at the time, but they should be able to put enough offense on the field to beat The Padres.
You could have Moncada DH in SD. He rakes in that ballpark.

edit: LOL. That was an even dumber joke than I intended.
 
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Jim Ed Rice in HOF

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Given his feet, is he expected to start any of the NL stadium games??
I can't find a link but I thought I heard something on EEI quoting Farrell as saying that he would not start in any of the games. It would probably be a different story if the Sox were out of it but there's no reason to put him in the field.
 

Wayapman

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Why not go to the games in AL parks in California?
Unfortunately I will be in Canada for work during the LAA series and last time I went to cheer on the Red Sox at O.Co I got stuff thrown at me all game and was heckled relentlessly. And this happened in $350 diamond club seats behind home plate for game 1 of the 2003 ALDS.

I may suck it up and try to hit Oakland in September. It's Papi's last walk off after all.
 

Al Zarilla

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Unfortunately I will be in Canada for work during the LAA series and last time I went to cheer on the Red Sox at O.Co I got stuff thrown at me all game and was heckled relentlessly. And this happened in $350 diamond club seats behind home plate for game 1 of the 2003 ALDS.

I may suck it up and try to hit Oakland in September. It's Papi's last walk off after all.
I've never had any trouble in Oakland, but I realize all it takes is one.
 

HriniakPosterChild

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And this happened in $350 diamond club seats behind home plate for game 1 of the 2003 ALDS.
I was at that game too, but in cheaper seats near 1st base with plenty of Sox fans around me. I still remember the feeling in he pit of my stomach when the game ended on the bunt single. Next day, Wakefield's game was no better.

I think I've been to 5 games at that dump, but have never had anything like your experience. And at least there's a T stop at the ballpark!
 

Skiponzo

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I've been to many games (Sox and non Sox) in Anaheim and never had that experience either. Though none of the times were playoff games. Lots of Sox fans normally but that happens everywhere.

Will be going to all 3 games in San Diego in sept. Last time they we're here it was like Fenway west.
 

kotrp83

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Has anyone been or familiar with the pregame gift giving ceremony for Ortiz when the Sox are on the road? Is it usually first or last game of the series? I'm heading to Seattle next week for most of the games and haven't been able to find any information on which night.
 

Curt S Loew

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Has anyone been or familiar with the pregame gift giving ceremony for Ortiz when the Sox are on the road? Is it usually first or last game of the series? I'm heading to Seattle next week for most of the games and haven't been able to find any information on which night.
It's traditionally been the first game. It is tonight and has been previously this season.
 

TFisNEXT

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He really hasn't looked all that great since the break. Hopefully these 3 games off in LA help.
Pretty small samples, so it's not too worrisome yet.

In his first 8 games after the all start break, Ortiz hit .333/.400./.567...in his next 10 he hit .146/.182/.244. He's sucked for 10 games, which covers the 3 game series against Detroit and the two 4 game series on the west coast so far (he had a day off for one of those games). So it really just looks like a nasty little 10 game funk he's in. Happens to almost everyone at some point. If he goes another 10 games struggling that bad, then maybe it's time to start to worrying he's physically worn down or hurt.
 

E5 Yaz

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Pretty small samples, so it's not too worrisome yet.

In his first 8 games after the all start break, Ortiz hit .333/.400./.567...in his next 10 he hit .146/.182/.244. He's sucked for 10 games, which covers the 3 game series against Detroit and the two 4 game series on the west coast so far (he had a day off for one of those games). So it really just looks like a nasty little 10 game funk he's in. Happens to almost everyone at some point. If he goes another 10 games struggling that bad, then maybe it's time to start to worrying he's physically worn down or hurt.
I think it's more than the funk, though. Yes, he turn it around at any given time. I just think he's moving slower and slow as the season wears on and that he might hit a wall physically at some stage
 

chrisfont9

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I think it's more than the funk, though. Yes, he turn it around at any given time. I just think he's moving slower and slow as the season wears on and that he might hit a wall physically at some stage
He fouled a ball off his foot a few days ago. Always trouble lurking there. But since he's still playing I'll assume he's not in pain, just a SSS blip.
 

soxhop411

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For those who missed it. Vin Scully did story time about Ortiz pre-game... I recorded it for those who missed it... Though apologies for the sound quality, I would have thought the iPad would do better.... And for those asking, the loud sneezing that is my father, not me..

 

BestGameEvah

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After consulting with Ortiz and the medical staff, Ortiz will start at first base on Saturday.

“Yeah, he’s in the lineup unless something happens in BP that suggests otherwise,” Farrell told reporters. “He’s at first base. Everything points to David playing first base tomorrow. He feels good physically and the medical staff feels like he was in very good condition as far as getting on the field defensively tomorrow. That’s the status for first base.”

“The at-bats are the risk and the reward inside that,” Farrell told reporters. “Yeah, David was on the field last year in interleague play. We have held off for obvious reasons. With a right-hander going tomorrow sandwiched by two left-handers, we felt like it was a good day to get him on the field.”

Farrell made it clear this is a one-time thing.

“This is one game,” he said. “And granted, can totally understand the potential risk-reward here, but if it wasn’t signed off on all parties, particularly David and the way he feels, we wouldn’t even consider it. But you know what? Games are taking on added importance. His bat in our lineup is an important one and that will be in the lineup tomorrow.”

WEEI
 

IpswichSox

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This really worked out well with Ortiz coming out of the game early with "general soreness." Obviously it's hindsight, but I don't get the risk for this. Keep him ready to PH if necessary, but otherwise Shaw to 1B and Hill to 3B. It's not ideal, but neither is the risk of losing Ortiz for a DL stint or even for a week. That seems so clear to me. Hopefully he's ready when the team gets back to Boston next week. Ugh.
 

soxhop411

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This really worked out well with Ortiz coming out of the game early with "general soreness." Obviously it's hindsight, but I don't get the risk for this. Keep him ready to PH if necessary, but otherwise Shaw to 1B and Hill to 3B. It's not ideal, but neither is the risk of losing Ortiz for a DL stint or even for a week. That seems so clear to me. Hopefully he's ready when the team gets back to Boston next week. Ugh.
“@TimBritton: Ortiz said he didn’t want to go three days without playing. ”I’m OK. I’ll be fine.“”
 

mauidano

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How does that not pass a factory test? I mean look at it! That thing is way too skinny.