The Bambino lives!

Here’s a fun exchange from Bill James Online:

Hey Bill, did you ever think of David Ortiz as the new Babe Ruth? By that I mean if Ruth had been born in 1975 rather than 1895, he’d have not just Ortiz’ statistics but his demeanor, his build, his stature on the team... Once that idea came into my mind, I can’t look at David Ortiz and not see Babe Ruth. Do you think that’s a fair comparison?
Asked by: TJNawrocki
Answered: 10/17/2013

Honestly, I do the exact same thing. I think of Ortiz as a modern Babe Ruth literally every day; I’m kind of shocked that you asked. It started for me one time about 2006 when David stopped in our office ... which players do not do very often ... and was wearing a leather hat. I don’t know the name of the hat style, but it was very much like a hat that I have seen pictures of Ruth wearing, out of uniform. I thought then that this man has a lot of Babe Ruth in him, and ... as you point out ... once you start thinking that way, it fits like a glove, so things happen constantly to reinforce that way of thinking about him.

Three Things Babe Ruth never said:

1. “I better not. I’ve got a game tomorrow.”

2. [looks in mirror] “Seems kind of gaudy ... you really think I can pull it off?”

3. “Should we be doing this? I think it’s against the rules.”