Los Angeles Angels say good-bye to Big Papi

The Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox renewed their heated rivalry this weekend in Anaheim. Despite being a big series, especially for the Red Sox the Angels took time to honor the best designated hitter to ever play in MLB History, David Ortiz AKA Big Papi.

On Thursday evening before the first of a four-game series, the Angels honored David Ortiz in a pre-game ceremony. Mike Trout and Angels infield coach Alfredo Griffin came out sporting big chains around their neck and dark sunglasses, impersonating Ortiz.

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Albert Pujols also joined the Angels contingent and present Ortiz with a beautiful painting of himself. Pujols also stood in the outfield next to Ortiz during the National Anthem. The two also kidded around on the field afterward. During the series Big Papi got an ovation before batting each time he came up. Sunday afternoon he came up one last time after the Red Sox had made a stunning 9th inning rally scoring five runs with two outs. Ortiz received a thunderous ovation much of it coming from the Boston contingent that was in the state of euphoria after the Red Sox rally. Ortiz flied out to left fielder Shane Robinson to end the top of the ninth inning and Ortiz rode off into the sunset at least in Anaheim.

During the series David Ortiz went two for 11 with one RBI hardly a stellar weekend. Overall though Ortiz hit 32 homers and drove in 91 runs against the Angels in his 20-year career. However in Anaheim Big Papi has struggled hitting only .204 with 11 HR’s and 29 RBI’s in 51 career games there.

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For his career Ortiz has a current average of .286 with 528 HR’s with 1,726 RBI’s. Most people think he is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame and with over 500 HR’s in his career most would think the hall would come calling for Ortiz. However, there is a great debate among fans, sportswriters, and even amongst our staff at Halo Hangout: Should a career DH, a part-time player in some eyes be in the Hall of Fame?

My thoughts on this is yes at least in the case of Ortiz. Believe me there is not a lot of love lost for me with almost any member of the Red Sox especially Ortiz. I have been known to call him Big Poopie at Angels games. However as much as I don’t like him (mainly because he plays for the Red Sox) I have to respect him. He has been the heart and soul of the Red Sox for many years and has put up the numbers to back it up.

I actually saw Big Papi play when he was just David Ortiz in 1997 when he played for the Minnesota Twins Single-A Affiliate the Fort Myers Miracle. He played 61 games with .331 batting average with 13 HR’s 58 RBI’s. The guy could hit back then and he can still hit now. Plus as much as it pains me to admit it about any Boston player Ortiz is a good guy on and off the field. This why he is being showered with all the accolades and this whole farewell tour as well.

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The debate will continue for the next five years before Ortiz is eligible for the Hall of Fame. One argument against Ortiz getting in is the fact that Edgar Martinez probably the best DH up until Big Papi burst onto the scene has never been inducted into the Hall of Fame despite many supporters and strong career numbers. Martinez hit .312 with 309 HR’s with 1,261 RBI’s and a career OBP of .418 in 18 years in the majors. Martinez played 592 games in the field either at 3B, or 1B compared to 1403 games at DH. Ortiz played only 277 games in the field at 1B and 1,978 games at DH so Martinez played more than double the amount of games in the field in 260 less career games. So if Big Papi is allowed in, Martinez has to be in the same conversation much to the chagrin of the baseball purists.

So let the debate begin (or continue) for the next five years before Ortiz is eligible to be on the Hall of Fame ballot. He will definitely not be a unanimous choice if he does get elected into the hall of fame. However, I believe the numbers and the accolades speak for themselves. Ortiz is a 10-time All-Star and a 6-time Silver Slugger winner and was 2nd in AL MVP race in 2005 when he hit .300 with 47 HR’s and 148 RBI’s. Not to mention his post-season record as he batted .295 with 17 HR’s and 60 RBI’s in 82 post-season games.

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Good luck Big Papi in your next endeavor. God Speed!!!

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