47 replies to this topic

[philly sox fan]

Ah, spring has arrived.

Next stop, a Mike F report.

[someoneanywhere]

You know we have reached a new nadir of journalism -- if one were possible -- when the most benign reports now come with the cover of anonymous sources. We have learned, from a well-placed source, that The Bedazzler is working out. About the only question left now is whether Silverman go to jail to protect his source (which for all we know is Tiffany Ortiz).

Rant over.

[reggiecleveland]

Every year there are reports about how hard guys are working out. I am still amazes how many people fell for the "throwing harder than ever" noise that came out of Pedro's camp every winter including 04.

Nomar would play tomorrow if it was a playoff game

We may as well get this out of the way:

JD's back is 100%
Lowell lifted a truck yesterday
Kotsay is racing cars
Becket has a six pack.
Smoltz killed a deer with a change up
Lugo is back over 150lb
Schilling is under 250

[D Jack's Dome]

Every year there are reports about how hard guys are working out. I am still amazes how many people fell for the "throwing harder than ever" noise that came out of Pedro's camp every winter including 04.

Nomar would play tomorrow if it was a playoff game

We may as well get this out of the way:

JD's back is 100%
Lowell lifted a truck yesterday
Kotsay is racing cars
Becket has a six pack.
Smoltz killed a deer with a change up
Lugo is back over 150lb
Schilling is under 250

In breaking news...

Pedroia got a pair of lifts, boosting his height to 5'11
Varitek is hitting .356 in his batting cage
Saito crushed 5 cinder blocks in a Karate showcase with his elbow

Have I killed this joke yet? Because it was actually a whole lot more fun to write then it probably was to read.

[Cuzittt]

Have I killed this joke yet? Because it was actually a whole lot more fun to write then it probably was to read.

You couldn't kill the joke. It was already dead. However, your second sentence is something to keep in mind... If you are even thinking it, then the post is probably worthless. So... don't post it. [A useful reminder not only for you, but for everyone on the board.]

[reggiecleveland]

So your message is:

Okay to make a new thread over a puff piece about an athlete working out (which is actually his job)
But not okay to use exaggeration to point out how meaningless this thread is.

[octoberaroma]

So your message is:

Okay to make a new thread over a puff piece about an athlete working out (which is actually his job)
But not okay to use exaggeration to point out how meaningless this thread is.

It wouldn't be so meaningless to me at least if the thread took a direction toward more information on Ortiz's workout routine.
I've always been interested in how players spend the off season away from baseball with regard to things like exercise and nutrition
and what is written into their contracts that keep them accountable to stay fit. With someone like David Ortiz a diet/nutrition regimen would be
a priority I would think. I bring that up because I can think of two athletes who remained highly competitive as they aged by simply cutting out
sugar from their diet. They are Scott Stevens (NHL) and Martina Navratilova(Tennis). But perhaps this is all a digression.

[5belongstoGeorge]

Wasn't it just last spring when we had pictures of Ortiz's alleged washboard abs and gushing from Gammo? Unfortunately, Papi was fatter than I am.

I hope his rehab and off season conditioning program is 1/2 as strenuous as that cancer Manny... but I doubt it.

[AZBlue]

My wish for Ortiz is that his workout does not last 5 courses. If he got down to a true 235, I would be much more optimistic.

[xjack]

My wish for Ortiz is that his workout does not last 5 courses. If he got down to a true 235, I would be much more optimistic.

I'm just waiting for someone to write that Papi is in the best shape of his life.

Seriously though, anybody else remember the year -- I think it was 1992 -- when Mo Vaughn showed up at spring training looking like Marvin Hagler but suddenly couldn't hit? It was like he'd lost his center of balance or something... We might not like Papi at 235.

[NomarsFool]

My favorites were always:

"Player A bulked up over the winter, with the hopes that the additional mass will help him avoid injuries during the season"

"Player B slimmed down over the winter, with the hopes that it will result in a quicker swing and less injuries during the season"

[Rough Carrigan]

My all time favorites were Gammons reporting, as we were about to have the first season with steroids testing, that Ivan Rodriguez has been doing pilates and is going to play lighter this year because he thinks it'll make his career last longer.

There was never any word as to whether losing back acne and not having shrunken balls were also going to help Ivan Rodriguez have a longer career.

[HeelDice]

If Big Papi was working out this weekend, it was in Vegas. Below is a note from Sunday's LV Review-Journal ....

Adult film star Tera Patrick and husband Evan Seinfeld, frontman for Biohazard, renewing their vows Friday on their fifth anniversary in one of the three Sky Villa suites at the Las Vegas Hilton. The Verona, Tuscany and Conrad suites are in the general area where Elvis Presley's suite was during his Hilton reign. Barry Manilow uses the Conrad suite when he performs there. ... At the Playboy Club (Palms) on Friday: Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, Boston Red Sox slugger David "Big Papi" Ortiz and the Florida Marlins' Hanley Ramirez. ... Dave Navarro and Patrick, co-hosting the first Pornstar Ball at Tao on Friday. Wilmer Valderrama arrived about 1 a.m. with a group that included UFC champ "Rampage" Jackson. Also at Tao: Joey Fatone, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and actor Ashton Holmes.

[SaveBooFerriss]

If Big Papi was working out this weekend, it was in Vegas. Below is a note from Sunday's LV Review-Journal ....

Adult film star Tera Patrick and husband Evan Seinfeld, frontman for Biohazard, renewing their vows Friday on their fifth anniversary in one of the three Sky Villa suites at the Las Vegas Hilton. The Verona, Tuscany and Conrad suites are in the general area where Elvis Presley's suite was during his Hilton reign. Barry Manilow uses the Conrad suite when he performs there. ... At the Playboy Club (Palms) on Friday: Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, Boston Red Sox slugger David "Big Papi" Ortiz and the Florida Marlins' Hanley Ramirez. ... Dave Navarro and Patrick, co-hosting the first Pornstar Ball at Tao on Friday. Wilmer Valderrama arrived about 1 a.m. with a group that included UFC champ "Rampage" Jackson. Also at Tao: Joey Fatone, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and actor Ashton Holmes.

I was in Vegas this weekend. I was wearing my Sox hat and a woman stopped my on the street to tell me that Ortiz was at the Consumer Electronics Show at the convention center. She got an autograph and talked to him.

[biollante]

I hope he is squeezing in some work outs between paid performances.

Would Big Papi just need to show up at the Playboy Club or does he have to sign autographs ? How do these Vegas appearances work ?

[Green Monster]

According to a source close to him, David Ortiz [stats]is getting up at 8 a.m. every morning for strength and cardio workouts, followed by hitting at 11 a.m. He is said to be experiencing no discomfort or pain in his left wrist, injured last season.

Is "getting up at 8 am" supposed to support the idea that Ortiz is highly committed towards fitness? I am not suggesting that Oritz should be getting up at 5 am or anything, it is his off season after all. But why wouldn't they just say "doing 3 hours of cardio each day"?

Edited by Green Monster, 12 January 2009 - 04:26 PM.

[reggiecleveland]

My all time favorites were Gammons reporting, as we were about to have the first season with steroids testing, that Ivan Rodriguez has been doing pilates and is going to play lighter this year because he thinks it'll make his career last longer.

There was never any word as to whether losing back acne and not having shrunken balls were also going to help Ivan Rodriguez have a longer career.

The best one I remember was Giambi when the clubhouse guy at spring trainging didn't recognize him since he lost so much weight . His story was he gave up burgers

[paulftodd]

Seems he intends to play in the WBC if he is healthy. He hopes his his wrist is OK.

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=3836179

Not sure I like him playing in the WBC. Training in the DR starts Monday for 3 weeks.

[Rough Carrigan]

The best one I remember was Giambi when the clubhouse guy at spring trainging didn't recognize him since he lost so much weight . His story was he gave up burgers

Ah yes. The 30 pounds of muscle loss that Giambi said was just 4.

[DieHardSoxFan1]

Ah yes. The 30 pounds of muscle loss that Giambi said was just 4.

At the outset of the '04 season, the Yankees opened up in Japan** against the now defunct Rays. During the broadcast, as Giambi approached the plate for his first AB, Gammons said of the slugger's weight loss, "He was the junk food king last season. But he stopped eating the burgers and dropped about 10 pounds."

A few weeks later, I was at Fenway for the much ballyhooed Sox-Yankees season opener. During BP, I wandered down behind the Yankees dugout looking for the Giambino. I couldn't pick him out until my buddy tapped my shoulder, pointed to a player standing directly in front of me, and said, "there he is."

He had lost at least 30 pounds. Cupping my hands around my mouth and yelling loudly enough for Giambi (and everyone in my section) to hear, I quipped, "Giambi...you're looking pretty trim."

Sadly it's the best bit of heckling I've ever done.


** I wonder if Mussina retired as a result of severe exhaustion stemming from the flight to Tokyo.

Edited by DieHardSoxFan1, 16 January 2009 - 12:41 AM.

[D Jack's Dome]

Seems he intends to play in the WBC if he is healthy. He hopes his his wrist is OK.

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=3836179

Not sure I like him playing in the WBC. Training in the DR starts Monday for 3 weeks.

I hate the idea of him playing in the WBC. His wrist's have taken a beating over the course of his career, he doesn't need the extra punishment...broken bone in his wrist in 99, fractured wrist in 2002, and the continual wrist issues of the recent past. Stay away from the WBC Papi. Do us all a favor.

[Foulkey Reese]

I absolutely hate the idea of Ortiz playing in the WBC. Glad to hear that his wrist is healed, but why chance it? His health is going to be so important to the 2009 offense and this just seems like a needless risk.

[Punchado]

By "personal doctor" does he mean his Dominican doctor? If so, I'm holding out for confirmation on his health.

[Bowlerman9]

Lets hope Adam Dunn is willing to wait until after the WBC to sign.

[Jack Sox]

I absolutely hate the idea of Ortiz playing in the WBC. Glad to hear that his wrist is healed, but why chance it? His health is going to be so important to the 2009 offense and this just seems like a needless risk.

Personally, I don't give a damn what Red Sox fans might think of David Ortiz playing in the WBC. I bet he doesn't either, especially considering A) what he's done for this franchise and B) the fact that he was booed by the Fenway faithful last October.

Just like fans have every right to boo a player who may not be playing up to expectations, David Ortiz has every right to represent his country in the WBC.

[Foulkey Reese]

Personally, I don't give a damn what Red Sox fans might think of David Ortiz playing in the WBC. I bet he doesn't either, especially considering A) what he's done for this franchise and B) the fact that he was booed by the Fenway faithful last October.

Just like fans have every right to boo a player who may not be playing up to expectations, David Ortiz has every right to represent his country in the WBC.

What do the boos have to do with anything?

We're all thrilled with what he's done for the franchise, but what does that have to do with having concerns over his health? I'm not saying that he doesn't have the right to play in the WBC. But I mean come on, how can you not have concerns about him after what we saw last season?

I would be shocked if the Sox front office didn't agree with me.

[Jack Sox]

What do the boos have to do with anything?

We're all thrilled with what he's done for the franchise, but what does that have to do with having concerns over his health? I'm not saying that he doesn't have the right to play in the WBC. But I mean come on, how can you not have concerns about him after what we saw last season?

I would be shocked if the Sox front office didn't agree with me.

I'm just putting myself in his shoes. If/when he's cleared by the Sox medical staff, and knowing how proud an individual David Ortiz is, why wouldn't he jump at the opportunity to represent his country at the WBC? If I'm Ortiz, the last thing on my mind is the opinions of a few Sox fans.

[The Boomer]

Personally, I don't give a damn what Red Sox fans might think of David Ortiz playing in the WBC. I bet he doesn't either, especially considering A) what he's done for this franchise and B) the fact that he was booed by the Fenway faithful last October.

Just like fans have every right to boo a player who may not be playing up to expectations, David Ortiz has every right to represent his country in the WBC.

Given that he can only get hurt reinjuring his wrist swinging or running the bases or if HBP (because he is a DH), playing a few extra meaningful games (over and above the unmeaningful games of spring training) is less risky than for a regular everyday player who is more prone to get hurt with all the things that can go wrong in the field on defense. This might be a better opportunity for Papi to be sure that his doctor is right about his wrist than the less intense atmosphere of conventional spring training.

[paulftodd]

I'm just putting myself in his shoes. If/when he's cleared by the Sox medical staff, and knowing how proud an individual David Ortiz is, why wouldn't he jump at the opportunity to represent his country at the WBC? If I'm Ortiz, the last thing on my mind is the opinions of a few Sox fans.

Given the Red Sox pay his guaranteed salary, glad you agree they should have a say in if he represents his country.

Big difference in playing games on March 5th in meaningless ST games than swinging for the fences in a World Series atmosphere.

Of course if he blows his wrist out earlier we have more time to sign a replacement (hey Manny, pick up the phone, we got a DH spot for you).

I doubt any player gives a rats a*s about what any fan thinks, good or bad, of course, the cheers are welcome since it means he is doing well and that bodes well for future dollars, the boos are a sign he is not performing well. Hey, this town boo'ed Yaz and Ted Williams, so Papi is in good company. Most of them, as in any other town, are fair weather fans, the Sox win, they are fans, they lose, and there goes that Red Sox cap back in the closet.

[xjack]

As far as we know, Papi may already be taking full swings in the cage. If that's the case, I'm not sure what the difference is between him trying to hit 450 foot bombs in batting practice versus him taking full swings against Cuban or Korean pitchers.

Edited by xjack, 23 January 2009 - 09:08 AM.

[paulftodd]

As far as we know, Papi may already be taking full swings in the cage. If that's the case, I'm not sure what the difference is between him trying to hit hio 450 foot bombs in batting practice versus him taking full swings against Cuban or Korean pitchers.

Big difference between taking full swings in BP (and we have no idea he is doing so) when you know what is coming and can choose what to swing at than doing so under game conditions.

[Dernells Casket n Flagon]

Big difference between taking full swings in BP (and we have no idea he is doing so) when you know what is coming and can choose what to swing at than doing so under game conditions.

I believe that one of the biggest problems with his wrist, last season, occurred when he was checking (or trying to check) his swing, which would also be something that wouldn't occur in the batting cage.

Teams can block players from playing in the World Baseball Classic if the player is recuperating from injury, as the Angels GM said he would do to prevent Vlad from playing (LA Times). However, there isn't any indication that the Red Sox are even considering this with Ortiz. Hopefully, this is a sign that his wrist might be at least close to fully healed.

[xjack]

Teams can block players from playing in the World Baseball Classic if the player is recuperating from injury, as the Angels GM said he would do to prevent Vlad from playing. However, there isn't any indication that the Red Sox are even considering this with Ortiz. Hopefully, this is a sign that his wrist might be at least close to fully healed.

Well, I suspect there would be more pressure on the Sox to let Ortiz play. He's still (probably) the most popular baseball player on the planet.

[grantb]

It's just one picture, and it is with a little kid, but he looks jacked.

[xjack]

It's just one picture, and it is with a little kid, but he looks jacked.

Hard to tell, but he doesn't look like he lost weight. Here's a photo from last spring:
http://cache.daylife...c4m8NZ/610x.jpg

Edited by xjack, 05 February 2009 - 02:37 PM.

[Green Monster]

It's just one picture, and it is with a little kid, but he looks jacked.

His wrist is so weak the kid is bending it back

[Chuck Schilling]

His wrist is so weak the kid is bending it back

It's his good wrist, no less.

[knucklecup]

His tattoo stretched from the change in his arms.

It now looks like Manny Ramirez' face.

[Jack Sox]

I've never for the life of me understood the 'OMG Ortiz is THE fat!!1!' mentality that some fans have. Look, he's a big guy, he's always been a big guy, and he'll always be one. Big does not equal fat, however.

When talking to someone who has tested his body fat % in years past, IIRC, he said Ortiz was around 18%. I'm no fitness expert and maybe someone like Fris can chime in here, but I can't imagine it's much higher than that now. He also said that of the points they test, it was really Ortiz' gut they that skewed the overall results. I know, big shock there!

[drleather2001]

That kid has hairier arms than he does.

Are you sure it's not Gary Coleman?

Back on point: He looks about the same to me, but when someone is generally that large it's very hard to tell muscle mass from general, um, "heft." In fact, the only thing that would worry me is if he showed up a la Giambi and had the body of Marquis Grissom or something.

Edited by drleather2001, 05 February 2009 - 10:21 PM.

[reggiecleveland]

I've never for the life of me understood the 'OMG Ortiz is THE fat!!1!' mentality that some fans have. Look, he's a big guy, he's always been a big guy, and he'll always be one. Big does not equal fat, however.

When talking to someone who has tested his body fat % in years past, IIRC, he said Ortiz was around 18%. I'm no fitness expert and maybe someone like Fris can chime in here, but I can't imagine it's much higher than that now. He also said that of the points they test, it was really Ortiz' gut they that skewed the overall results. I know, big shock there!

Because he is fat. I watch the 04 dvds once in a while and he is much fatter now.

He has had a lot of knee problems and he is a pro athlete. When there are reports a guy can't get into his regular stance because of his knee it is fair to raise an eyebrow as the number on the scaleincreases. 18% is pretty fat even for a DH. For few years people on this board have expressed concern that he would not age well because of his body type and weight gain.

I have seen the guy and he has an incredble muscle mass on a smallish frame so any extra weight is just more stress on his joints. You know it is kinda his job to not be fat.

[biollante]

I hope Ortiz's wrist is ok. I don't want him looking so poorly at the plate this year. I have to assume that he is 100% or he wouldn't play in the WBC. As a DH, he isn't as likely to wear down as much as other players. I look forward to Ortiz being Ortiz. If he isn't, I will be depressed. Last year was the first time when he went to the plate that I no longer believed anything could happen.

[V.I. Tessie]

I'm going to all of the WBC games in Puerto Rico. I'll report in from time to time on how his performance at the plate looks.

[Jack Sox]

Because he is fat. I watch the 04 dvds once in a while and he is much fatter now.

Yeah, yeah, I've seen the same videos countless times and I just don't see how he is "much fatter now". Outside of a guy who was 28 and is now 33, I see no real issues in his weight that aren't pretty much par to the course of like, you know, human nature and aging and stuff. Again, he was simply never small to begin with and even as a pro athlete, he's not immune to the aging process just like the rest of us aren't.

I guess what makes this topic a frustrating one is that do people really believe Ortiz and the Red Sox medical staff not have a decent handle on this? I'm sure they both view his weight as an issue moving forward but not because he sits on his ass all offseason and eats donuts - which some of the fanboy reaction might lead one to believe - but more because he's a big player who NATURALLY carries around more weight than most ball players do. I stress naturally because, well, he's naturally a big baseball player. Like you said, traditionally, these players don't tend to age very well and I hope most would understand the Sox are completely well aware of this.

The knee problems are pretty overblown as well. In his '07 season where he was largely dealing with these problems, he also put up the best OPS + of his career. Now this may very well prove to be a problem moving forward, but luckily for the Sox if it does, he's signed at a very reasonable rate for a few more years, so even if the concerns people may have about his body type not aging well, he's not going to kill this teams chances at competing. And I'm also pretty sure his being overweight or whatever it is, had little effect on what happened to his wrist last season.

Either way, this topic is tired.

[absintheofmalaise]

Ortiz' weight is really only a concern because he's had surgery on his cartilage already. Extra weight causes undo stress on knee cartilage. Depending on which study or article you read, every extra pound of weight causes, at least, an additional 4 pounds of stress on knee cartilage and when you are overweight you are at least three times as likely to suffer an injury to your knee cartilage. Since they are trimming off cartilage when they scope a knee, he is now operating with less cartilage in his right knee than before. That has to increase the chances of him re-injuring that knee even more. As someone who has had the same surgery on both knees, I can tell you that it's a lot easier to re-injure them than it was before. So yeah, to me his weight is a concern

[The Boomer]

Ortiz' weight is really only a concern because he's had surgery on his cartilage already. Extra weight causes undo stress on knee cartilage. Depending on which study or article you read, every extra pound of weight causes, at least, an additional 4 pounds of stress on knee cartilage and when you are overweight you are at least three times as likely to suffer an injury to your knee cartilage. Since they are trimming off cartilage when they scope a knee, he is now operating with less cartilage in his right knee than before. That has to increase the chances of him re-injuring that knee even more. As someone who has had the same surgery on both knees, I can tell you that it's a lot easier to re-injure them than it was before. So yeah, to me his weight is a concern

Perhaps he needs to go to the Sabathia clinic (Mickey Lolich, CEO) for some snacks, rest and rehab.